IELTS Vocabulary
Beggar Thy Neighbor: To do something beneficial for oneself without worrying about how it affects others.
Sentence – Yes, but putting these high tariffs on imports would only address our country’s economic depression in a beggar-thy-neighbor sort of way.
Behind the Eight (or 8) Ball: At a serious disadvantage.
Sentence – If we don’t leave early tomorrow, we’ll be behind the eight ball, and I doubt we’ll reach the cabin by dusk.
Behind the Scenes: In a way not apparent to the public.
Sentence – Let’s have a round of applause for all the people who worked behind the scenes to give us such a great event!
Behind the Times: Old-fashioned.
Sentence – People in these parts tend to be way behind the times when it comes to issues such as women’s rights.
Bell the Cat: Take on a difficult or impossible task.
Sentence – Everybody present made suggestions but no one actually offered to bell the cat.
Bells And Whistles: Attractive but unnecessary features of a product.
Sentence – If you use your mobile phones more often than your home landline, consider canceling the bells and whistles to get your home service down to the bare minimum.
Belly Laugh: Loud, hearty laughter.
Sentence – This cartoon is so interesting that it makes us break into a lot of belly laugh.
Bend an Elbow: Drink alcoholic beverages at a tavern.
Sentence – ‘He was jovial, and bent his elbow frequently.
Best (Greatest) Thing since Sliced Bread: An innovative development.
Sentence – These waterproof jeans are the best thing since sliced bread. I don’t have to worry about getting soaked!
Best of Both Worlds: Combining two qualities that are usually separate.
Sentence – We hope that by forming a bipartisan committee we will be able form a body that represents the best of both worlds.
Bet One’s Bottom Dollar (On Something): Be certain that something will happen.
Sentence – I lost my umbrella, so you can bet your bottom dollar that it will rain tomorrow!
Bet the Farm: Risk everything; spend all one’s money on something in hopes of success.
Sentence – He’s broke now because he bet the farm on a failed business venture.
Better late Than Never: It implies that a belated achievement is better than not reaching a goal at all.
Sentence – After two weeks, I finally got a return phone call from that company. Better late than never, I guess.
Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Caught between two undesirable options.
Sentence – I was between a rock and a hard place, for if I didn’t take out another loan—and go deeper into debt—I could not pay off the debts I already owed.
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea: In a difficult position.
Sentence – I was between the devil and the deep blue sea, for if I didn’t take out another loan—and go deeper into debt—I could not pay off the debts I already owed.
Beyond the Pale: Too morally or socially extreme to accept.
Sentence – Disrupting my class is beyond the pale, young lady—go to the principal’s office!
Beyond the Shadow of a Doubt: Absolutely certain.
Sentence – I barely remember leaving the office last night, so I can’t say beyond a shadow of a doubt that I set the alarm before I left.
Big Apple: An informal name for New York City.
Sentence – I’m so excited for our trip to the Big Apple because we’re going to a Broadway show!
Big Brother: Government, viewed as an intrusive force in the lives of citizens; government spying.
Sentence – You have to be careful what you write in an email these days. Big Brother is watching you, after all.
