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[branch out]{v.} To add new interests or activities; begin doing other things also. •/First Jane collected stamps; then she branched out and collected coins, too./ •/John started a television repair shop; when he did well, he branched out and began selling television sets too./

[brand-new] also [bran-new] {adj.} As new or fresh as when just made and sold by the manufacturer; showing no use or wear. •/He had taken a brand-new car from the dealer’s floor and wrecked it./ •/In Uncle Tom’s trunk, we found a wedding ring, still in its little satin-lined box, still brand-new./

[brass] See: DOUBLE IN BRASS, GET DOWN TO BRASS TACKS.

[brass hat]{n.}, {slang} 1. A high officer in the army, navy, or air force. •/The brass hats In Washington often discuss important secrets./ 2. Any person who has a high position in business, politics, or other work. •/Mr. Woods, the rich oil man, is a political brass hat./

[brass tacks] See: GET DOWN TO BRASS TACKS.

[brave it out]{v. phr.} To endure something difficult or dangerous through to the end; keep on through trouble or danger. •/It was a dangerous ocean crossing in wartime, but captain and crew braved it out./

[brazen it out]{v. phr.} To pretend you did nothing wrong; be suspected, accused, or scolded without admitting you did wrong; act as if not guilty. •/The teacher found a stolen pen that the girl had in her desk, but the girl brazened it out; she said someone else must have put it there./

[bread] See: HALF A LOAF is BETTER THAN NONE, KNOW WHICH SIDE ONE’S BREAD IS BUTTERED ON, TAKE THE BREAD OUT OF ONE’S MOUTH.

[bread and butter(1)]{n. phr.} The usual needs of life; food, shelter, and clothing. •/Ed earned his bread and butter as a bookkeeper, but added a little jam by working with a dance band on weekends./

[bread and butter(2)]{adj.} Thanking someone for entertainment or a nice visit; thank-you. •/After spending the weekend as a guest in the Jones' home, Alice wrote the Joneses the usual bread-and-butter letter./ See: BREAD AND BUTTER LETTER.

[bread and butter(3)]{interj.}, {informal} Spoken to prevent bad luck that you think might result from some action. •/We’d say "Bread and butter!" when we had passed on opposite sides of a tree./

[bread-and-butter letter]{n.} A written acknowledgment of hospitality received. •/Jane wrote the Browns a bread-and-butter letter when she returned home from her visit to them./

[breadbasket]{n.}, {slang} The stomach. •/John is stuffing his breadbasket again./

[break] See: COFFEE BREAK.

[break away] or [break loose] {v. phr.} To liberate oneself from someone or something. •/Jane tried to break loose from her attacker, but he was too strong./

[break camp]{v. phr.} To take down and pack tents and camping things; take your things from a camping place. •/The scouts broke camp at dawn./

[break down]{v.} (stress on "down") 1. To smash or hit (something) so that it falls; cause to fall by force. •/The firemen broke down the door./ 2. To reduce or destroy the strength or effect of; weaken; win over. •/By helpful kindness the teacher broke down the new boy’s shyness./ •/Advertising breaks down a lot of stubbornness against change./ 3. To separate into elements or parts; decay. •/Water is readily broken down into hydrogen and oxygen./ •/After many years, rocks break down into dirt./ 4. To become unusable because of breakage or other failure; lose power to work or go. •/The car broke down after half an hour’s driving./ •/His health broke down./ •/When the coach was sick in bed, the training rules of the team broke down./ Compare: GO BACK ON(2).