| Idiom | Meaning | Example |
| beyond the pale |
beyond the limit, over the boundary
|
His comment went beyond the pale of respect. It was vulgar.
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| biff/biffy |
washroom, bathroom, the can, the john, the loo
|
"Is there a biffy on the bus?" "Yes. There, at the back."
|
| Big Apple |
(See The Big Apple)
|
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| big boys |
powerful men in business, moguls, big shots
|
If you want to do business with the big boys, you need money.
|
| big break |
big chance, a lucky break
|
She got her big break when a talent scout heard her sing.
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| big bucks |
a lot of money, a high price
|
You'll pay big bucks to rent an apartment near the university.
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| big cheese |
the boss, chief cook and bottle washer, head honcho
|
If you've got a complaint, see the big cheese. He's our manager.
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| big deal |
important event, major happening
|
A small fire is a big deal because it can cause a lot of damage.
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| big hairy deal |
not an important matter, do not make it an issue, big deal
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"The teacher's coming!" "So big hairy deal!"
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| big picture |
(See the big picture)
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