1. To add fule to the fire – To increase the existing excitement. “His speech only added fule to fire.”
2. To give oneself airs - To be conceeited or arrogant in behaviour. “Now hebegan to give himself airs.”
3. To keep up appearances – In bad time to appear outwardly the the same as before, as regards wealth or prosperity. “ Though he lost all his property, he tried to keep up appearances in the circle of his friends.”
4. To have an axe to grind – To have some personal interest to serve. “ In the first place, let me assure you , gentlemen, that I have no axe of mine to grind.”
5. To turn one’s back upon – To Desert; forsake. “ He turned his back upon the poor orphan who was under his care.”
6. To bear in mind – To remember; recollect. “ Bear in mind our long standing friendship.”
7. To beat about the bush – To convey one’s meaning in an indirect way. “Don’t beat about the bush; come straight to the point. Say what you have to say.”
8. To beat the air – To struggle in vain. “ In trying to defeat Ahmad, you are only beating that air.”
9. To blow hot and cold in the same breath – To praise and to blame at the same time. “ Don’t take his remarks seriously; he blows hot and cold in the same breath.”
10. To blow one’s own trumpet – To praise oneself loudly; to sing one’s praise. “ Let him blow his own trumpet if he so pleases; it does not befit my dignity to do so.”
11. To break news – To communicate disagreeable news very carefully. “ At last I had to break to Aftab the news of his brother’s failure a third time.”
12. To break the ice – To break through reserve or stiffness. “ All were silent for some time. At last I broke the ice and began the conversation.”
13. To breath one’s last – To die. “ He breathed his last on Sunday.”
14. To bring Home to – To make one thoroughly understand. “ I tried my best to bring my plan home to my friend.”
15. To bring to a standstill – To cause to stop wholly. “ The riots in Aligarh have brought business to a standstill.”
