To back a winner means to bet on a winner, or to support something that does well. To back means to bet money on a horse.We backed a winner by investing in a successful movie.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:It might not be Las Vegas but combined with the mining resurgence, locals who've kept their money on Broken Hill now think they’ve backed a winner.
back flip
When someone changes what they said they they were going to do, we call it a back flip and even use it as a verb.He's back flipped on his promise to stop smoking.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:The Optometrists' Association says the government's back flip will do far more harm than good.
back of beyond
outback; bush; remote countryMy first job was in a tiny community in the back of beyond.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:They may have been living in the back of beyond, but two-way radio and the postal service kept them in touch.
back on the menu
back on the list of things to eat or doNow that it’s summer, ice-cream is back on the menu.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:Here, beef is back on the menu.
back then
in the pastBack then things were much better.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:Just to see how they did it back then and we're almost going back the same way now looking for more natural products instead of the synthetic products that they're putting into creams and potions and lotions.
back to business
return to normal; go back doing ordinary thingsIt's back to business for school children next week when the holidays finish.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:So we're talking about that in the human sense and the natural sense so we, so kids can see that it's part of the natural process and we have to cope with it, and nature gets back to business pretty quickly.
bad press
Something that gets bad press has bad things said about it publicly or receives unfavourable media coverage.Michael Jackson has had some bad press.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories
ike many introduced species - the cane toad, the rabbit, the European carp -- the Indian or common mynah gets bad press.bark is worse than his bite
We say that someone's bark is worse than their bite when someone is not as dangerous or angry as they seem.He threatens to do all sorts of things, but his bark is worse than his bite.
battler
Battler is an Australian term for someone who is struggling to make a living.He's a battler from the bush.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:The ‘Etona’ was built in 1898 for the Anglican Bishop of Adelaide, as a mission boat, bringing religion to the battlers along the Murray.
baulk at
To baulk at something is to refuse to do something.She baulked at the offer of extra work.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:The issue of cost is something many customers baulk at.
be sold
To be sold is to be convinced by something.I am sold on this new idea of yours.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories
inda Pickett came back and tried out a one-line pitch on fellow saleswoman Jane Walker, something about convenience and coffee. Both were sold.be with somebody in spirit
To be with somebody in spirit is to be thinking about them when you can't be with them.I won't be able to make it to the wedding, but I'll be with you in spirit.
bear in mind
don't forget about; keep in mind; think aboutYou should bear in mind that the traffic will be heavy at the time you want to get to the airport.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories
robably the first one we will do, bearing in mind the way the traffic is moving, is probably a multi decking to the car park outside.bear/feel the brunt
To bear or feel the brunt of something is to suffer the most from it or have to deal with its worst effects.The south of the city will bear the brunt of the approaching storm.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:This study is concentrating on dugongs off the southern Queensland coast, because they're closest to urban developments and will feel the brunt of man-made impacts.
beat someone hollow
To beat someone hollow is to beat them in a contest easily.The polls say that the government will be beaten hollow in the coming election.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:What's the best thing you like about spending time with your friends here? Winning bridge?
Beating them hollow.
begs the question
Something that begs the question makes you want to ask a particular question.Alll this talk about build a new public transport system begs the question of where the money for it is coming from.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:The Government has now funded Relationships Australia to support overseas adopted children. Indeed Relationships Australia beat East Meet West for the tender to do the work. But that begs a deeper question, partly political, partly ideological, but simply put, who knows best what overseas kids go through?
behind bars
in jailHe'll be behind bars for the rest of his life for committing murder.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:At seven years of age, Maddalin's big question is answered and she's unfazed that her new-found dad is behind bars.
behind the wheel
When you are behind the wheel of a vehicle, you are driving it.You shouldn't get behind the wheel if you've been drinking.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:Most weekends you'll find her under the bonnet or behind the wheel of her high performance Commodore getting ready for her next race.
bells and whistles
attractive extra featuresThis new car has air conditioning and all the bells and whistles.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:It won't have all the latest bells and whistles and you won't be playing the latest computer games on these...
bent on
determined toShe is bent on finishing her studies this year.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:Back in the 1960s and 1970s, surfers bent on discovering new breaks stumbled upon a small farming area perched on the spectacular coastline of the Margaret River region.
bet your bottom dollar
be certainYou can bet your bottom dollar that it will rain today.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:But, while there’s a simple, cheap and dirty solution available, you can bet your bottom dollar we’ll just leave the toxic time-bomb ticking away.
better part of
most of; the greater part ofI’ve been studying for the better part of five years.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:Not only did he promote asthma drugs, he took them himself for the better part of twenty years.
better still
even better; more than just betterI got a new job and, better still, double the money I used to be paid.
beyond the scope
outside the range; beyond the area of controlPolitics is really beyond the scope of sports teams.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:But any long-term solution to water shortages could lie beyond the scope of government.
beyond their means
too expensive for themThe cost of that house is beyond their means.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:But running the organisation is beyond their means.
big guns
Big guns are people who are the most successful at what they do in their field.There are a lot of big guns at the writers' festival.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:She knows she is competing against some big guns to get her show on the road.
big slice
large partA big slice of my time is spent with the children.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:And it all adds up to a big slice of the economy.
big smoke
the cityI'm leaving the country to try my luck in the big smoke.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:But it's just three years ago that its licence to sell fermented and spiritous liquors was transferred by an investor to the big smoke.
bigger than Ben Hur
We use the expression bigger than Ben Hur to say that something is extravagant or extremely large. Ben Hur was a famously expensive, large-scale movie.If you invite all those people the party will be bigger than Ben Hur.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:In America, horse racing is literally bigger than Ben Hur, contributing more to the US economy than the film industry.
bit of a drag
Something that is a bit of a drag is boring, tiresome or unpleasant.Learning English can be a bit of a drag.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:Good during the winter but summer's a bit of a drag. Makes you earn a beer.
bite the bullet
do something you don't want to do; do something unpleasant you can't avoidI'm going to have to bite the bullet and pay my debts.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:I would definitely encourage them. Really the benefits'd far outweigh any problems we've had out here. And just to bite the bullet and go for it because it's very rewarding.
bitten by the bug
To be bitten by the bug is to have a sudden strong interest in something.Since going overseas last year he's been bitten by the travelling bug.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories
ike hundreds of people over the past decade, Rob Alexandre has been bitten by the wine bug.black market
illegal marketDrugs are sold on the black market.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:Collectors warn any harsher restrictions may just promote a black market.
black sheep
A member of the family who is unusual or considered a failure is called the black sheep.He's the black sheep of the family - he left school early and became an actor.
blanch at
To blanch at something is to find it shocking. To blanch is to become white or go pale. People are supposed to go pale when they are shocked by something.I can watch the surgery. I don't blanch at the sight of blood.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:He says the island has an international profile and something like an eco-lodge or floating hotel would attract up-market, international visitors prepared to pay premium prices ordinary holiday-makers would blanch at.
blessing and a curse
Something that is a blessing and a curse has good aspects and bad aspects.Living in another country can be a blessing and a curse.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:Working from home is a blessing and a curse and I've found the only way to make it work is to a) have hobbies and b) give yourself excuses to regularly get out of the house.
blot on the landscape
A blot on the landscape is something that spoils the look of a place.Some say that the new wind farm is a blot on the landscape.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:It's totally inappropriate. It's going to be a blot on the landscape.
blown away
To be blown away is to be amazed or impressed.This new computer game will blow them away.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:When I was fishing I used to take friends and people I knew and it used to blow them away, this scenery and that.
blue
In Australian slang, a blue is a fight or argument. To have a blue with someone means to argue with them.We had a blue about who was doing most of the houswork.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories
id you get into some really good blues with people?bode well
If something bodes well it is a good sign.This new project bodes well for the future of the town.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:While all this bodes well for the State, Bernard Salt warns the increased population growth is unlikely to last forever, but he believes its slowing is at least a few years away.
body of evidence
A body of evidence is a collection of evidence. It's all the things known about a certain subject.The body of evidence about smoking makes it clear that it is definitely not good for your health.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:There's a growing body of evidence that it does have cardiovascular benefits...
bone of contention
A bone of contention is a matter which causes disagreement or controversy.Class sizes have been a bone of contention among teachers for many years.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:And then there's the hat issue. I think that's a real bone of contention with younger women, because they're very aware that in Queensland you must wear a hat, but not if there's a gale-force wind.
booked out
completely reservedThere is no room in this hotel - we are booked out.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:Because accommodation is so tight, entire hotels were booked out years ago, several tent cities have been built to handle the overflow.
born and bred
To be born and bred is to born and brought up in the one place.He's Jakarta born and bred.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:Author Jeff Duncombe is Campbell Town born and bred.
bottom line
The bottom line is the most important thing to be worried about or the most important conclusion. This expression comes from the last or bottom line of an account that tells you how much money you have made.The bottom line is that our team has to win this game to stay in the competition.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:Bottom line, can it be done?
brain drain
A brain drain refers to intelligent and well-qualified people leaving a country to work overseas.The country's brain drain will damage the economy in the long term.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:The key finding is that there is no brain drain in Australia…
brainchild
A person’s brainchild is their original idea.English Bites is Barry Mitchell's brainchild.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:The Certificate of Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Skills program is the brainchild of psychologist Louise Earnshaw.
break down the barriers
To break down the barriers means getting rid of the things that block your way and that make it difficult or impossible to do something.We need to break down the barriers of racial prejudice.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:...I think the fact that we've got three Indigenous women in the parliament in the Northern Territory also breaks down the barrier and educates our children in remote Aboriginal communities that political life is not impossible.
break new ground
To break new ground is to do or discover new things.Our lab is breaking new ground in AIDS research.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:Single mum and full-time Child Safety Support Officer Carmel Knox is one of six women breaking new ground.
break the ice
To break the ice is to make people feel relaxed. We often use this expression to talk about formal meetings or parties.People drink at parties to help break the ice.
break wind
The expression break wind is a polite way of saying fart.It's best not to break wind during a job interview.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:Ah Ma loved her brandy and she had this knack of breaking wind while everyone was watching TV.
breaking with tradition
doing something new; changing the usual way of doing somethingWe're breaking with tradition and getting married on the beach
breath of fresh air
A breath of fresh air is something or someone that is new, different and exciting.Our new staff members are a breath of fresh air.
breathe down someone's neck
pay too much attention to what someone is doingI can't study with people breathing down my neck.
breathe easily/freely again
You breathe easiky again when a crisis is over and you don't need to worry anymore.I can breathe easily again now that I know exactly where the children are.
breathe your last
dieLate in the afternoon the president breathed his last.
breather
A breather is a break or a rest.I'll just take a breather before I finish the job.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:On the Derwent at daybreak, this workhorse of the Southern Ocean takes a breather.
breathing space
A breathing space is a time to rest.I need a breathing space before I begin a new book.
breeze in
succeed easilyEveryone expects the American basketball team to breeze in.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:And that's one extra race the NSW Pacific Dragons didn't need to do after breezing into the final.
bridges the gap
allows two groups to come together; makes it eaiser to move from one thing to anotherThis new proposal should help bridge the gap between the warring parties.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:I feel like my jewellery bridges the gap between art and fashion.
bright idea
A bright idea is a clever idea. To be bright means to be clever or smart. Sometimes we say something is a bright idea, but we mean the opposite.Whose bright idea was it to park their car in my way?
In this example, we’re really saying that it was a stupid idea.This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:Joanna Gair's bright idea means paper maker Darren Simpson spends a fair bit of his working day sorting through kangaroo poo in search of the best nuggets.
bring home the bacon
To bring home the bacon is to be successful or to earn the money for a family.I have to go to work to bring home the bacon.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:It's like our Logies, our Oscars, our Golden Globes, our Tony Awards. It's the big one, really, and we're here to bring home the bacon, quite frankly.
bring out the best
Something that brings out the best in someone makes them show their best qualities.A disaster often brings out the best in people.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:A venue like this helps bring out the best in its local music community, but also provides a venue for overseas music.
bring someone down a peg or two
To bring someone down a peg or two is to make them realise they are not as good or powerful as they think they are.It's time she was brought down a peg or two and stopped ordering people around.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:It may not be possible to eradicate this pest, but at least he can be brought down a peg or two.
bring us to our senses
make us behave sensiblySometimes we need a shock to bring us to our senses.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:Will it take an Internet meltdown to bring us to our senses?
brush up on
improve or revise what you knowPeople use English Bites to brush up on their English.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:It's not just for the blokes -- locals like Astrid Skene can also be found brushing up on their power tool know-how.
buck stops here/ with you
the final responsibility is yoursHe's the coach of the team, so the buck stops with him.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:I think it's good when things go well being captain. There's a lot of pressure on you and you have to make the final moves and I guess if things don't work out the buck stops with you, so, there's a fair bit of pressure on
buck the system
To buck the system is to obstinately resist authority or object strongly to it.How does she manage to buck the system and take so much time off?
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:Well, if I am bucking the system, we are bucking the system because the system isn't working for us.
buggered
Buggered is slang for damaged or broken.This computer is buggered.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:But you must have had some injuries over the years.
Oh, yeah. Buggered knees and shoulders and that.
bumper to bumper
Traffic that is only moving very slowly is referred to as bumper to bumper.It's bumper to bumper on South Road this morning.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:It's bumper to bumper most nights.
burn the candle at both ends
To burn the candle at both ends is to work too much doing too many things or always be getting up early and going to bed late.I'm exhausted. I've been burning the candle at both ends lately.
business as usual
When we say that it’s business as usual, we mean that things continue as normal, often despite some trouble.It's business as usual at the markets, despite the fire there last night.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:It was business as usual at Simon Hurwood's Brisbane practice.
business end
The business end of something is the most important part.The finals are the business end of the football season.
buy into
If you buy into something you believe it.I don't buy into any of that new age nonsense.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:When I was at school I was told that I wasn't gonna be anything other than a mother at an early age of 16 or something, um, so I should learn how to do food and nutrition and sewing. I didn't buy into it at all.
by and large
mostly; generallyBy and large the crowd is well behaved.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:By and large in the Sydney area, life was peaceful, but what happened to cause trouble were (sic) convicts stealing artefacts.
by any means
definitely not; in no way at allWe might be in front , but we haven't won by any means.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:We're not perfect, by any means.
by far
to a large degree; by a long wayThis is by far the best example.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:It's my favourite shark by far.
by foot
by walkingHe's going to cross Africa by foot.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories
ort Davey and Bathurst Harbour in the south-west is accessible only by foot, plane or boat.by the look of it
judging from what seems to be; apparentlyWe're going to be late by the look of it.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:Some large pieces came down there, by the looks of it.
by the same token
for the same reason or reasonsA desalination plant will be good in that it will provide drinking water, but by the same token it could ruin the fishing industry by making the sea too salty.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:We're too big to eat and they don't really want to waste their venom on us but, by the same token, if they're provoked they will defend themselves.
by the way
This expression is used to introduce something you have just thought of.I saw him yesterday, oh, by the way did you know that he's quit his job?
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:I think that any form of singing in Australia is elitist in a lot of ways. Mainly because of this audition process and the fact that you have to be really good... and by the way I'm very supportive of that kind of singing.
