American Slang & Idioms Starting with "B"

223 entries

• B A casual term of address, short for 'bro,' 'baby,' or 'boss' — used like 'dud...
• B-side A lesser-known or secondary track, originally from the flip side of a vinyl s...
• Baby daddy The biological father of a woman's child, especially one she is not married t...
• Baby fever An intense desire or longing to have a baby.
• Baby mama The biological mother of a man's child, especially one he is not married to o...
• Baby of the family The youngest child, often perceived as spoiled or babied by the rest of the f...
• Back of the napkin A rough, informal estimate or plan made quickly.
• Back to square one Starting over from the beginning after a setback.
• Back to the drawing board To start planning something again because the previous attempt failed.
• Back to the grind Returning to work or routine tasks after a break or time off.
• Backcountry Remote wilderness areas far from roads, facilities, and other people.
• Backseat driver A passenger who gives unwanted advice or criticism about how the driver is dr...
• Bacon egg and cheese The iconic NYC breakfast sandwich — bacon, egg, and cheese on a roll, the cit...
• Badass Extremely tough, impressive, or formidable in an admirable way.
• Baddie An attractive, confident woman who looks put-together and stylish, especially...
• Bae A term of endearment for a significant other; sometimes said to stand for 'be...
• Bag A designer handbag or purse — a key fashion status symbol.
• Bag chaser Someone focused primarily on making money; a highly money-motivated person.
• Bail To leave abruptly, or to cancel plans or back out of a commitment.
• Bail out To pay bail to get someone released from jail; to rescue someone from a bad s...
• Ball and chain One's spouse or long-term partner, humorously implying they restrict your fre...
• Ball out To spend money lavishly or live extravagantly.
• Baller Someone who is impressive, successful, or living a lavish lifestyle.
• Balling Living a luxurious, extravagant lifestyle; spending freely.
• Ballpark (figure) A rough estimate or approximate number.
• Bands Stacks of money, typically referring to thousands of dollars (from the rubber...
• Bandwidth A person's available time and mental capacity to take on additional tasks.
• Bang for your buck Good value for money; getting a lot of benefit relative to what you paid.
• Banger Something excellent, especially a song, party, or event that is extremely good.
• Bankroll To finance or fund something; also a large amount of cash.
• Baptism by fire A harsh first experience that tests you immediately; learning by being thrown...
• Bar crawl An organized event where a group visits multiple bars along a planned route.
• Bar hopping Going to multiple bars in one night, spending a short time at each.
• Barking up the wrong tree Pursuing the wrong course of action; making a false assumption about something.
• Bars Impressive rap lyrics or lines, often highlighting wordplay, rhythm, or story...
• Base camp A staging area from which expeditions, climbs, or adventures begin.
• Based Admirable for being unapologetically oneself, especially when expressing unpo...
• Basic A person who follows mainstream trends without originality — predictable and ...
• Battle buddy A partner assigned to you for mutual support; a close, trusted friend.
• Be so for real Be serious right now — an expression of disbelief asking someone to stop joki...
• Beach bum Someone who spends most of their time at the beach, either by lifestyle choic...
• Beach day A day spent entirely at the beach — a regular occurrence and almost a sacred ...
• Bean counter A derogatory term for an accountant or anyone overly focused on budgets and n...
• Bear canister A hard-sided container used to store food in bear country to prevent bears fr...
• Bear country An area known to have active bear populations, requiring special food storage...
• Beast mode A state of intense, unstoppable performance or effort.
• Beat Exhausted, worn out, or completely tired — too drained to do anything more.
• Beat around the bush To avoid talking about the main point; to be indirect or evasive.
• Beat face Flawlessly applied makeup that looks polished and professional.
• Beat the rap To escape punishment or conviction for a crime.
• Beat to the gods Makeup applied so flawlessly and beautifully that it looks divine — the highe...
• Beater A cheap, worn-out car that still runs despite its rough condition.
• Because reasons A humorous non-explanation given when you don't want to justify something.
• Beef A feud, conflict, or grudge between people, especially between artists or pub...
• Beef (conflict) A grudge, conflict, or ongoing dispute between people.
• Been there, done that I've already experienced that; it's nothing new to me.
• Beer pong A popular American drinking game where players throw ping pong balls into cup...
• Behind the eight ball In a difficult or disadvantageous position; in trouble.
• Behind the scenes What happens out of public view — the hidden work, preparation, or drama that...
• Beige flag A quirky, neutral trait in a person that's neither good nor bad — just odd or...
• Believe you me An emphatic phrase meaning 'trust me' — used to stress truthfulness.
• Below the belt Unfair, cruel, or hitting someone where it hurts most.
• Bench (someone) To remove someone from active participation, or to sideline them.
• Benching Keeping someone as a backup romantic option by maintaining minimal contact wi...
• Benjamins Hundred-dollar bills, named after Benjamin Franklin whose face appears on them.
• Benny A tourist or out-of-towner visiting the Jersey Shore beaches, typically from ...
• Bent out of shape Overly upset, offended, or agitated about something, usually something that d...
• Best practice A method or technique that is generally accepted as superior to alternatives.
• Bestie A term of endearment for your best friend or close friend.
• Bet An expression of agreement, confirmation, or acceptance — similar to 'okay,' ...
• Bet on yourself To invest in your own abilities and potential rather than playing it safe.
• Bet your bottom dollar To be absolutely certain about something; to guarantee it.
• Beta Information or advice about how to complete a climbing route or outdoor chall...
• Better half One's spouse or romantic partner, jokingly implying they are the superior one...
• Better late than never It's better to do something late than to never do it at all.
• BFF Best Friends Forever — a close, loyal friend you consider your closest compan...
• BFFR Be f***ing for real — an emphatic demand that someone stop being delusional o...
• Bid A prison sentence; also used loosely to mean a long, tedious stretch of time.
• Big deal Something important or impressive; also used sarcastically to mean 'so what?'
• Big mad Very angry — emphasizing the intensity of someone's anger, often with a mocki...
• Big mood That strongly represents how I feel; I deeply relate to that.
• Big picture The overall perspective; the most important aspects of a situation rather tha...
• Big time To a great degree; seriously; in a major way.
• Big ups Respect, praise, or congratulations given to someone.
• Big whoop Sarcastic dismissal meaning 'so what?' or 'that's not impressive.'
• Big yikes An intensified expression of cringe, embarrassment, or secondhand discomfort ...
• Bikepacking Multi-day bicycle touring on off-road trails, carrying gear in frame bags and...
• Binge-watch To watch multiple episodes of a TV show in rapid succession, often in one sit...
• Binge-worthy A show or series so compelling that you want to watch multiple episodes in on...
• Biohacking Using science and technology to optimize body and brain performance.
• Bitchin' Awesome, excellent, or incredibly cool — classic California surf and skate sl...
• Bite off more than you can chew To take on more responsibility or work than you can handle.
• Bite the bullet To endure a painful or difficult situation with courage; to just do something...
• Black ice A thin, nearly invisible layer of ice on roads that's extremely dangerous for...
• Black sheep The odd one out in a family — someone who doesn't fit in or is considered a d...
• Blacked out So drunk that you have no memory of what happened — experiencing alcohol-indu...
• Blackout drunk So intoxicated that you lose all memory of the events — a more emphatic form ...
• Blacktop A paved road surface made of asphalt, or any paved road in general.
• Bleeding edge Technology or innovation so new that it carries significant risk of problems.
• Blended family A family made up of a couple and their children from previous relationships, ...
• Bless up An expression of gratitude, positivity, or wishing someone well.
• Bless your heart A Southern expression that can convey genuine sympathy or serve as a polite w...
• Blessing in disguise Something that seems bad at first but turns out to be beneficial.
• Blew it To fail at something, especially by making a costly mistake or wasting an opp...
• Blind date A date with someone you've never met before, usually arranged by a mutual fri...
• Blindsided Hit or attacked from an unexpected direction; completely caught off guard.
• Bling Flashy, expensive jewelry or accessories; ostentatious displays of wealth.
• Blinged out Covered in flashy, sparkly jewelry or accessories — heavily decorated with bl...
• Block To prevent someone from contacting you or seeing your content on social media.
• Blockbuster A hugely successful movie, product, or event that dominates popular culture.
• Blow money To waste money on unnecessary things; to spend recklessly.
• Blow off To skip, ignore, or dismiss something you're supposed to do; also to ignore a...
• Blow the whistle To expose wrongdoing or illegal activity, often at personal risk.
• Blowing up Exploding with anger, or (separately) becoming extremely popular or receiving...
• Blown away Extremely impressed, amazed, or astonished by something.
• Blowout A game or competition that is completely one-sided, with a huge margin of vic...
• BLT A bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich — a classic American deli staple.
• Blue check A verified account on social media, or someone with perceived elite status on...
• Blue falcon Someone who betrays or undermines their fellow soldiers; a buddy who stabs yo...
• Boba Bubble tea — a Taiwanese tea drink with chewy tapioca pearls, hugely popular ...
• Bodacious Bold, impressive, or attractively audacious — used to describe something rema...
• Bodega A small convenience store or corner shop, typically found in New York City ne...
• Bodied Completely dominated, defeated, or outperformed someone. Destroyed the compet...
• Body count The number of people someone has been romantically or sexually involved with.
• Body dysmorphia A mental health condition where a person obsessively focuses on perceived fla...
• Body positivity A social movement advocating acceptance of all body types regardless of size ...
• Bogus Fake, fraudulent, or unfair — something that shouldn't be accepted.
• BOHICA Bend Over, Here It Comes Again — bracing for another round of bad news or bur...
• Boho chic A fashion style blending bohemian free-spiritedness with modern elegance — fl...
• Boil the ocean To attempt something impossibly ambitious or overly complex.
• Bomb Really excellent or delicious — used as an adjective to describe something ou...
• Bombshell Shocking news or revelation; also a very attractive woman.
• Bonfire An outdoor fire pit gathering — a primary form of Midwest socializing.
• Boo A term of endearment for a romantic partner or someone you have feelings for.
• Boomerang kid An adult child who moves back in with their parents after living independentl...
• Boondocking Parking and camping in an RV or van in a remote area without hookups or servi...
• Boop A gentle, playful tap on someone's (or an animal's) nose.
• Boot camp Basic military training; any intense, rigorous training program.
• Booted Kicked out, removed, or ejected from a place or group. Can also mean somethin...
• Bootleg An unauthorized or unofficial recording, copy, or knockoff of something.
• Boots on the ground People physically present and working at a location.
• Booze Informal term for alcoholic drinks in general, used in casual conversation.
• Bop A catchy, enjoyable song that makes you want to move or sing along.
• Boss Impressive, commanding, or someone who handles things with authority and conf...
• Bot An automated account on social media, or a person who seems robotic or lacks ...
• Bottle service Purchasing an entire bottle of liquor at a club or bar, which comes with a re...
• Bottom line The final result or most important factor, especially financially; the net pr...
• Bottom of the barrel The worst quality or least desirable option; scraping together the last remai...
• Bottomless Unlimited refills, especially of alcoholic drinks like mimosas or Bloody Mary...
• Bottomless mimosas An unlimited-refill brunch drink deal, typically champagne mixed with orange ...
• Boujee Having expensive, upscale tastes; aspiring to or enjoying a luxurious lifestyle.
• Bouldering Rock climbing on short, low rock formations without ropes, using crash pads f...
• Bounce To leave a place, especially suddenly or casually.
• Bouncer A security guard at a bar, club, or event who controls entry and removes trou...
• Boundaries Personal limits set to protect emotional, mental, or physical well-being.
• Bounty hunter A person who tracks down fugitives for a financial reward.
• Box office hit A movie that earns a lot of money in ticket sales at theaters.
• Boy mom A mother whose children are all boys, often used as an identity label on soci...
• Brah A laid-back variation of 'bro' influenced by Hawaiian surf culture — used as ...
• Brain fart A temporary mental lapse or moment of forgetfulness.
• Brainrot The state of having consumed so much internet content that your humor, vocabu...
• Brandy old-fashioned Wisconsin's signature cocktail — an old-fashioned made with brandy instead of...
• Brat An unapologetically confident, chaotic, and party-loving attitude — embracing...
• Bravo Zulu Well done; good job — a naval signal of commendation.
• BRB Be Right Back — a quick way to say you're stepping away briefly.
• Bread Slang for money, especially cash.
• Bread and butter The main source of income or the core of what someone does well.
• Breadcrumbing Sending occasional flirty messages to keep someone interested without any int...
• Break a leg A way of wishing someone good luck before a performance, especially in theater.
• Brewskis Beers — a playful, informal way to refer to beer.
• Brick Extremely cold, used to describe freezing weather.
• Bricked When a device becomes completely non-functional, as useful as a brick.
• Bridezilla A bride-to-be who becomes unreasonably demanding and difficult during wedding...
• Bridge and tunnel People who commute into Manhattan from the outer boroughs or suburbs, often u...
• Bring down the house To give such an incredible performance that the audience goes absolutely wild.
• Bring home the bacon To earn the family's income; to be the main provider.
• Bring it on I'm ready for the challenge; give me your best shot.
• Bringing the heat Delivering intense, high-quality performance or creating strong competition.
• Bro code An unwritten set of rules governing friendship and loyalty among male friends.
• Bro science Unverified fitness or nutrition advice passed between gym-goers.
• Broke Very common informal term meaning to have no money, used across all registers.
• Brown bag it To bring your own lunch to work or school, typically in a brown paper bag.
• Brown-noser A person who excessively flatters or sucks up to someone in authority to gain...
• Brownstone A row house built with brown sandstone, iconic to Brooklyn and other NYC neig...
• Bruh An exclamation expressing disbelief, frustration, or amusement. Also a casual...
• Brunch A late-morning meal combining breakfast and lunch, often a social event on we...
• Bubbler A water fountain or drinking fountain — the New England term for the public w...
• Buck One dollar; the most common casual term for a US dollar.
• Bucket list A list of experiences or achievements a person wants to accomplish before the...
• Buckeye A person from Ohio, an Ohio State fan, or a chocolate-peanut butter candy sha...
• Buckle up Get ready for something intense, dramatic, or wild that's about to happen.
• Buffering When media is loading slowly, causing pauses during playback, or a person who...
• Bug spray Insect repellent, especially DEET-based sprays used to prevent mosquito and t...
• Buggin' Acting crazy, being irrational, or tripping over something unnecessarily.
• Bugging out Freaking out, acting irrationally, or being extremely surprised or upset abou...
• Buggy A shopping cart at a grocery store.
• Built different Possessing unique talent or qualities that set someone apart from everyone else.
• Built for this Naturally suited for a task or situation, as if designed specifically for it.
• Bulking Eating in a calorie surplus to gain muscle mass.
• Bummed out Feeling disappointed, let down, or mildly sad about something.
• Bummy Looking sloppy, unkempt, or dressed in ratty, lazy clothes.
• Bumper to bumper Extremely heavy traffic where cars are so close together they're nearly touch...
• Bumping Playing music loudly, or describing a song or event that has high energy.
• Bunker mentality A defensive, siege-like mindset where you isolate from outside criticism.
• Burn A clever insult or comeback that leaves someone embarrassed — also used as an...
• Burn the midnight oil To work or study late into the night.
• Burned out Physically and emotionally exhausted from prolonged stress, overwork, or inte...
• Burner account A secondary, anonymous social media account used to post without being identi...
• Burning bridges Destroying relationships or connections in a way that can't be undone.
• Burning the midnight oil Working or studying very late into the night.
• Burnout Physical and emotional exhaustion caused by prolonged stress, especially from...
• Bushwhacking Hiking through dense vegetation with no trail, creating your own path.
• Buss it down To dance energetically, especially with impressive moves. Also means to show ...
• Bussin' Extremely good, especially used for food but applicable to anything impressive.
• Busted Broken, ugly, or caught doing something wrong.
• Busywork Pointless or meaningless tasks assigned just to keep someone occupied.
• Butthurt Overly offended or upset about something trivial, often with an implication o...
• Buy the farm To die, especially in a sudden or unexpected way.
• Buzzed Slightly intoxicated from alcohol — between sober and drunk.
• Buzzer beater Something accomplished at the very last possible moment.
• Buzzkill A person or thing that ruins the fun or dampens the mood at a social event.
• Bye, Felicia A dismissive farewell to someone or something you don't care about.
• BYOB Bring Your Own Bottle (or Beer/Booze) — a party or restaurant where you bring...