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[brush up] or [brush up on] {v.} To refresh one’s memory of or skill at by practice or review; improve; make perfect. •/She spent the summer brushing up on her American History as she was to teach that in the fall./ •/He brushed up his target shooting./

[bubble gum music]{n.}, {slang} The kind of rock’n'roll that appeals to young teenagers. •/When will you learn to appreciate Mozart instead of that bubble gum music?/

[bubble trouble]{n.}, {slang}, {citizen’s band radio jargon} Tire trouble, flat tire. •/The eighteen wheeler ahead of me seems to have bubble trouble./

[buck] See: FAST BUCK or QUICK BUCK, PASS THE BUCK.

[bucket] See: KICK THE BUCKET, RAIN CATS AND DOGS or RAIN BUCKETS.

[bucket of bolts]{n.}, {slang} A very old and shaky car that barely goes. •/When are you going to get rid of that old bucket of bolts?/

[buckle] See: BUCKLE DOWN or KNUCKLE DOWN.

[buckle down] or [knuckle down] {v.} To give complete attention (to an effort or job); attend. •/They chatted idly for a few moments then each buckled down to work./ •/Jim was fooling instead of studying; so his father told him to buckle down./

[buck passer], [buck-passing] See: PASS THE BUCK.

[buck up]{v. phr.}, {informal} To make or become more cheerful; make or become free from discouragement; become more hopeful. •/After the heavy rain, the scoutmaster bucked up the boys by leading them in a song./ •/Tom was disappointed that he didn’t make the team; but he soon bucked up./

[bud] See: NIP IN THE BUD.

[bug-eyed]{adj.}, {slang} Wide-eyed with surprise. •/He stood there bug-eyed when told that he had won the award./

[buggy-whip]{n.}, {slang} An unusually long, thin radio antenna on a car that bends back like a whip when the car moves fast. •/He’s very impressed with himself ever since he got a buggy whip./

[bughouse(1)]{n.}, {slang} An insane asylum. •/They took Joe to the bughouse./

[bughouse(2)]{adj.}, {slang} Crazy, insane. •/Joe’s gone bughouse./

[bug in one’s ear]{n. phr.}, {informal} A hint; secret information given to someone to make him act; idea. •/I saw Mary at the jeweler’s admiring the diamond pin; I’ll put a bug in Henry’s ear./

[build] See: JERRY-BUILT.

[build a fire under]{v. phr.} To urge or force (a slow or unwilling person) to action; get (someone) moving; arouse. •/The health department built a fire under the restaurant owner and got him to clean the place up by threatening to cancel his license./

[build castles in the air] or [build castles in Spain] {v. phr.} To make impossible or imaginary plans, dream about future successes that are unlikely. •/He liked to build castles in the air, but never succeeded in anything./ •/To build castles in Spain is natural for young people and they may work hard enough to get part of their wishes./