Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (17 page)

Better mind your Ps and Qs
.
Go to (You'd) better mind your Ps and Qs.

Better safe than sorry
.
It's better to take extra precautions than to take risks and suffer the consequences.
I know I probably don't need an umbrella today, but better safe than sorry
.
Q: Why do I have to buy all this car insurance? A: Better safe than sorry.

Better than nothing
.
Go to (It's) better than nothing.

Better things to do
.
Go to (I've) (got) better things to do.

Bingo
!
That's it, just what I've been waiting for! (From the game Bingo, in which the word “Bingo!” is shouted by the first person to succeed in the game.)
Bob was looking in the button box for an old button to match the ones on his shirt. “Bingo!” he cried. “Here it is!
”
B
ILL
: I've found it! Bingo! M
ARY
: I guess you found your contact lens?

bit by bit
Go to little by little.

Bite your tongue
!
an expression said to someone who has just stated an unpleasant supposition that unfortunately may be true.
M
ARY
: I'm afraid that we've missed the plane already. J
ANE
: Bite your tongue! We still have time
.
M
ARY
: Marry him? But you're older than he is! S
ALLY
: Bite your tongue!

Bottoms up
.
AND
Down the hatch!; Here's looking at you.; Here's mud in your eye.; Here's to you.; Skoal
!
an expression said as a toast when people are drinking together. (The
bottoms
refers to the bottoms of the drinking glasses.)
B
ILL
: Bottoms up. T
OM
: Here's mud in your eye. B
ILL
: Care for another?
“Well, down the hatch,” said Fred, pouring the smooth and ancient brandy slowly across his tongue.

Boy
!
AND
Boy, oh boy
!
a sentence opener expressing surprise or emphasis. (This is not a term of address and can be used with either sex, although it is quite informal.)
J
OHN
: Hi, Bill. B
ILL
: Boy! Am I glad to see you!
B
OB
: What happened here? F
RED
: I don't know. B
OB
: Boy! This place is a mess!
“Boy! I'm tired!” moaned Henry
.
“Boy, oh boy! This cake looks good,” thought Jack.