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[bury the hatchet]{v. phr.}, {informal} To settle a quarrel or end a war; make peace. •/The two men had been enemies a long time, but after the flood they buried the hatchet./ Compare: MAKE UP(5).

[bus] See: MISS THE BOAT or MISS THE BUS.

[bush] See: BEAT ABOUT THE BUSH, BIRD IN THE HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH.

[bushel] See: HIDE ONE’S LIGHT UNDER A BUSHEL.

[bushes] See: BEAT THE BUSHES.

[business] See: DO THE BUSINESS, HAVE NO BUSINESS, LAND-OFFICE BUSINESS, MEAN BUSINESS, MONKEY BUSINESS, THE BUSINESS.

[bust up]{v. phr.}, {slang} To terminate a partnership, a relationship, a friendship, or a marriage. •/If Jack keeps drinking the way he does, it will bust up his marriage to Sue./

[busy work]{n.} Work that is done not to do or finish anything important, but just to keep busy. •/When the teacher finished all she had to say it was still a half hour before school was over. So she gave the class a test for busy work./

[but for] See: EXCEPT FOR.

[but good]{adv. phr.}, {informal} Very much so; thoroughly completely; forcefully. — Used for emphasis. •/Jack called Charles a bad name, and Charles hit him, but good./ •/Tom fell and broke his leg. That taught him but good not to fool around in high trees./ Compare: AND HOW.

[but not least] See: LAST BUT NOT LEAST.

[butter] See: BREAD AND BUTTER.

[butterflies in one’s stomach]{n. phr.} A queer feeling in the stomach caused by nervous fear or uncertainty; a feeling of fear or anxiety in the stomach. •/When Bob walked into the factory office to ask for a job, he had butterflies in his stomach./

[butter up]{v.}, {informal} To try to get the favor or friendship of (a person) by flattery or pleasantness. •/He began to butter up the boss in hope of being given a better job./ Compare: POLISH THE APPLE.

[butter wouldn’t melt in one’s mouth]{informal} You act very polite and friendly but do not really care, you are very nice to people but are not sincere. •/The new secretary was rude to the other workers, but when she talked to the boss, butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth./

[butt in]{v.}, {slang} To join in with what other people are doing without asking or being asked; interfere in other people’s business; meddle. •/Mary was explaining to Jane how to knit a sweater when Barbara butted in./ Often used with "on". •/John butted in on Bill and Tom’s fight, and got hurt./ Compare: HORN IN.

[button] See: HAVE ALL ONE’S BUTTONS, ON THE BUTTON, PUSH THE PANIC BUTTON.

[button down]{v.}, {slang} (stress on "down") To state precisely, to ascertain, to pin down, to peg down. •/First let’s get the facts buttoned down, then we can plan ahead./

[button-down]{attrib. adj.}, {slang} (stress on "button") Well-groomed, conservatively dressed. •/Joe is a regular button-down type./

[buttonhole]{v.} To approach a person in order to speak with him or her in private. •/After waiting for several hours, Sam managed to buttonhole his boss just as she was about to leave the building./

[button one’s lip] also [zip one’s lip] {v. phr.}, {slang} To stop talking; keep a secret; shut your mouth; be quiet. •/The man was getting loud and insulting and the cop told him to button his lip./ •/John wanted to talk, but Dan told him to keep his lip buttoned./ Syn.: KEEP ONE’S MOUTH SHUT, SHUT UP.