bail out
To secure release from prison until trial by leaving or promising money or property for a while.
When college students got into trouble with the police, the college president would always bail them out.
To free from trouble by giving or lending money.
He started a small business, which prospered after his father had to bail him out a couple of times.
To jump from an airplane and drop with a parachute.
When the second engine failed, the pilot told everyone to bail out.
To dip water from a filling or leaking boat; throw water out of a boat to prevent its sinking.
Both men were kept busy bailing out the rowboat after it began to leak.
bandy about
To spread rumors or whisper secrets.
The news of Jim and Mary's divorce was bandied about until everyone at the office had heard it.
bat an eye
bat an eyelash
without batting an eye
without batting an eyelash
To show surprise, fear, or interest; show your feelings. Used in negative sentences.
When I told him the price of the car he never batted an eye.
Bill told his story without batting an eyelash, although not a word of it was true.
bawl out
To reprove in a loud or rough voice; rebuke sharply; scold.
The teacher bawled us out for not handing in our homework.
be about to do something
To be at the moment of doing something, to be ready
This idiom is often used with the adverb just.
This idiom is often used with the adverb just.
I was just about to leave when you telephoned.
Oh, hi, John. We're just about to eat dinner.
We were about to leave the house when the phone rang.
I’m sorry that I broke in. What were you about to say?
be nuts about
To be enthusiastic or very keen about someone or something; be greatly infatuated with someone.
Hermione is nuts about modern music.
"I am nuts about you, Helen," Jim said. "Please let's get married!"
be on the outs with
To not be on speaking terms with someone; be in disagreement with someone.
Jane and Tom have been on the outs with one another since Tom started to date another woman.
be out from under
get out from under
Free from something that worries you; seeing the end; finished.
Mary had so much to do in the new house she felt as though she would never be out from under.
John had so many debts, he couldn't get out from under.
After years of struggling to get ahead, the young couple finally got out from under their debts.
The ailing company, succeeding in obtaining the necessary cash, was able to get out from under its financial burdens.