bite (redirected from bit back)

another bite at the cherry (British, British)

another opportunity to achieve something or to get something you want. He just missed a gold medal in the 100 metres, but got another bite at the cherry in the 400 metres. She failed the exam but she will get a second bite at the cherry next year.

See also: another, cherry

someone's bark is worse than their bite

if someone's bark is worse than their bite, they are not as unpleasant as they seem, and their actions are not as bad as their threats. I wouldn't be scared of her if I were you. Her bark's a lot worse than her bite.

See also: bark, worse

a bite of the cherry (British & Australian)

a part of something good, especially when there is not enough for everyone who wants it. Job-sharing would give twice as many people a bite of the cherry.

See also: cherry

bite off more than you can chew (informal)

to try to do more than you are able to do. Don't bite off more than you can chew. Let someone else organize the party.

See also: can, chew, more

bite the bullet

to make yourself do something or accept something difficult or unpleasant. They decided to bite the bullet and pay the extra for the house they really wanted. Car drivers are biting the bullet after another rise in petrol prices.

See also: bullet

bite the dust

1. to fail or to stop existing. Three hundred more people lost their jobs in the same region when another firm bit the dust. She can't make it on Saturday? Oh, well, another good idea bites the dust!

2. to die. Two Hollywood stars of the thirties have recently bitten the dust.

See also: dust

bite the hand that feeds you

to treat someone badly who has helped you in some way, often someone who has provided you with money. Leaving the company after they've spent three years training you up - it's a bit like biting the hand that feeds you.

See also: feed, hand, that

bite your tongue

to stop yourself from saying something because it would be better not to, even if you would like to say it. I really wanted to tell her what I thought of him but I had to bite my tongue.

See also: tongue

bite/snap someone's head off (informal)

to answer someone angrily. I only asked if I could borrow your bike. There's no need to bite my head off! She snaps his head off every time he opens his mouth.

See also: head, snap

put the bite on someone (American, informal)

to ask someone for something that you want, especially money. She put the bite on her sister for $20. (often + for)

someone/something won't bite (humorous)

something that you say in order to tell someone not to be frightened of someone or something. I think you should talk to your uncle about this. Go on, he won't bite.

See also: won't

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bite off more than you can chew

to try to do something that is too big or difficult to do. The key to success lies in not biting off more than you can chew.

See also: can, chew, more

bite the big one

to be very bad. That movie really bites the big one.

See also: big

bite the bullet

to do or accept something difficult or unpleasant. We've all experienced unpleasant moments when we had to bite the bullet and apologize for something we did.

Etymology: based on the literal action of biting on bullets that was done by soldiers in the past who were operated on without drugs

See also: bullet

bite the dust

to stop existing. Back in the ‘50s we had many competitors, but most have bitten the dust. Another fashion fad has bitten the dust.

See also: dust

bite the hand that feeds you

to severely criticize the person or organization that helps you or pays you. It is unwise to bite the hand that feeds you, but TV journalists need to tell the truth about the news business.

See also: feed, hand, that

a bite to eat

a small meal. You'll feel better once you've had a bite to eat.

Usage notes: often used with quick: I usually sleep late and just have a quick bite to eat when I get to work.

See also: eat

bite your tongue

to stop yourself from speaking. his lack of reply seemed to indicate that he was angry and was biting his tongue.

See also: tongue

someone/something has more bark than bite

something is not as unpleasant as you expected. The storm turned out to have far more bark than bite. My boss sounds tough, but her bark is much worse than her bite, and she's actually pretty easy to work for once you get to know her.

See also: bark, has, more

take a bite out of something

to reduce something. Work is taking a bite out of his free time.

Usage notes: often used about money: Rising energy costs would take a bite out of people's wallets.

See also: take