{n.}, {vulgar}, {avoidable} An unpleasant event or
situation, such as a long lasting and unsettled quarrel or recurring acts of
vengeance preventing two people or two groups from reaching any kind of
reconciliation. •/There is so much had shit between the two gangs that I bet
there will he more killings this year./ Compare: BAD BLOOD.
[bad trip]
{n.}, {slang}, {also used colloquially} A disturbing
or frightening experience, such as terrifying hallucinations, while under the
influence of drugs; hence, by colloquial extension any bad experience in
general. •/Why’s John’s face so distorted? — He had a bad trip./ •/How
was your math exam? — Don’t mention it; it was a bad trip./
[bag]
See: GRAB BAG, IN THE BAG, LEAVE HOLDING THE BAG, LET THE CAT OUT OF
THE BAG.
[bag and baggage]
{adv.}, {informal} With all your clothes and
other personal belongings, especially movable possessions; completely. •/If
they don’t pay their hotel bill they will be put out bag and baggage./
[baggage]
See: BAG AND BAGGAGE.
[bail]
See: JUMP BAIL or SKIP BAIL.
[bail out(1)]
{v.} 1. 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./ 2. {informal} 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./
[bail out(2)]
{v.} To jump from an airplane and drop with a parachute.
•/When the second engine failed, the pilot told everyone to bail out./
[bail out(3)]
{v.} 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./
[bait]
See: FISH OR CUT BAIT.
[bake]
See: HALF-BAKED.
[baker’s dozen]
{n.}, {informal} Thirteen. •/"How many of the
jelly doughnuts, Sir? " the salesclerk asked. "Oh, make it a baker’s dozen."/
[balance]
See: HANG IN THE BALANCE, OFF BALANCE.
[ball]
See: BASE ON BALLS, CARRY THE BALL, FLY BALL, FOUL BALL, GET THE
BALL ROLLING, SET THE BALL ROLLING, START THE BALL ROLLING, GOPHER BALL, GROUND
BALL, HAVE A HALL, HAVE SOMETHING ON THE BALL, JUMP BALL, KEEP THE BALL.
ROLLING, LONG BALL, ON THE BALL, PASSED BALL, PLAY BALL.
[ball game]
{n.}, {slang}, also {informal} The entire matter at
hand; the whole situation; the entire contest. •/You said we can get a second
mortgage for the house?! Wow! That’s a whole new ball game./
[ball of fire]
{n.}, {informal} A person with great energy and
ability; a person who can do something very well. •/He did poorly in school
but as a salesman he is a ball of fire./ •/The new shortstop is a good
fielder but certainly no ball of fire in batting./ Compare: HOT NUMBER, HOT
ONE.
[balloon]
See: TRIAL BALLOON, LEAD BALLOON.
[ballot stuffing]
See: STUFF THE BALLOT BOX.
[ball up]
{v.}, {slang} To make a mess of; confuse. •/Don’t ball
me up./ •/Hal balled up the business with his errors./ — Often used in
the passive. •/He was so balled up that he did not know if he was coming or
going./ Compare: MIXED UP.