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break in

to enter illegally n(break-in) /to interrupt when someone else is talking: As she was talking, he suddenly broke in, saying, "That's a lie."

break off sth

to end a relationship: The governments broke off diplomatic relations. She returned the ring and they broke off their engagement.

break out

If something dangerous or unpleasant breaks out, it suddenly starts: War broke out in 1914./(SKIN CONDITION)/to escape from a place or a situation: Two inmates broke out of prison and are still at large.

break down

If a machine or vehicle breaks down, it stops working/to be unable to control your feelings and to start to cry/a system, relationship, or discussion breaks down, it fails because there is a problem or disagreement.

break into sth

to suddenly begin to do something: He felt so happy that he broke into song (= suddenly began to sing) to begin working in a new business or a new area: He wanted to break into the advertising business.

break through

to force yourself through something that is holding you back: Protesters broke through the barriers./to go higher than a particular level: Sales have finally broken through the $1 million barrier.

break up

end relationship/If someone who is talking on a cell phone is breaking up, his or her voice can no longer be heard clearly.

brainstorm

(of a group of people) to suggest a lot of ideas for a future activity very quickly before considering some of them more carefully: The team got together to brainstorm (the project).

beat around the bush

to avoid talking about what is important: Don't beat around the bush - get to the point!

take the bull by the horns

to do something difficult in a brave and determined way: Why don't you take the bull by the horns and tell him to leave?

sth rings a bell

something, esp. a name, is familiar to you: His name rang a bell, but I don’t know where I met him.

fair-haired boy

a boy or man who is liked very much and is treated well by someone, especially someone in authority

in the balance

If a situation is in the balance, it has reached a stage where it will soon be decided one way or another: The game hung in the balance until the last minute.

bolt from the blue

bolt from the bluesomething important or unusual that happens suddenly or unexpectedly: The resignation of the chairman came like a bolt from the blue.

in black and white

in writing: I had to believe it, because it was there in black and white.

make sb's blood boil

to make someone extremely angry: The way they have treated those people makes my blood boil.

barking up the wrong tree

trying to do something in a way that will not work: His attorney suggested that the investigators might be barking up the wrong tree.

butter up sb

to please someone, esp. by praising that person in order to get him or her to agree to something: A company wishing to influence the government must butter up both parties in the House and the Senate.

don't hold your breath

used to tell someone not to expect something to happen for a very long time: She said she'd get back to us, but don't hold your breath!

deal a blow to sb/sth

to cause someone or something, usually a plan or hope, to fail or to be affected very badly: The latest trade figures have dealt a severe blow to hopes of an early economic recovery.

a chip off the old block

someone who is very similar in character to their father or mother

wet blanket

a person who says or does something that stops other people enjoying themselves

above board

done in an honest way, according to the rules or law: The bidding process was completely fair and above board.

baffle

to cause someone to be completely unable to understand or explain something: She was completely baffled by his strange behavior.

know sb by sight

If you know someone by sight, that person looks familiar to you, but is not a friend of yours.