BUM STEER, GIVE SOMEONE A A bum steer is when someone intentionally misdirects someone else to prevent them from reaching their destination. For instance, if you are driving and the person next to you has a map, they will give you directions that will not take you to your destination. The phrase originates from cattle…
BRUSH-OFF, GET/GIVE (SOMEONE) THE Failing to give a person a sincere conversation is called the brush-off. The term is often used when someone is not interested in pursuing a romantic relationship with someone, but instead deflecting their attention so they can pursue another person. In the world of academia, when one person brushes off another…
BREAK THE ICE Breaking the ice is a form of discourse that seeks to initiate social contact. The intent behind this process is to begin a conversation by removing barriers between strangers. The participant that initiates the interaction faces many challenges, including their lack of knowledge about the other person or people in the group…
BOXED IN/BOX (SOMEONE) IN Boxing someone in is the process of restricting the movement of a person. It can be done by making their movements slow and ponderous, or by preventing their progress altogether. The process of boxing someone in can be achieved in one of two ways: slowing down and obstructing. Slowing down and…
BOTTOM LINE, THE The bottom line is a term used in business, which is a slang phrase meaning “the most important point,” the conclusion, or the final summary. It can also refer to the net income generated by a company’s revenues and expenses, or to a type of accounting summary that shows how much money…
BONE TO PICK, A A “bone to pick” is a quarrel, dispute, or disagreement. The term’s origin dates back to the Bible. In Genesis 32:22 Jacob wrestled with an angel and during the struggle he grasped the angel’s thigh and injured it. Afterwards, Jacob called it a “bone of contention.” The term “bone to pick”…