English words starting with b - page 330

Meanings of By-choice:

collocation

If you do something by choice, you make an intentional decision to do it

Usage examples:

I live alone by choice., i'm only here because i was told to be, not by choice.

Meanings of By-courtesy:

phrase

By permission of

Usage examples:

Jessie j appears courtesy of universal records., we had a private tour of the capitol building, cou…

Meanings of By-crook:

Using any method possible

Usage examples:

We’ll get there by hook or by crook.

Meanings of By-definition:

idiom

Because of the nature of someone or something

Usage examples:

Circus performers are, by definition, risk takers.

Meanings of By-degrees:

idiom

Gradually

Usage examples:

The economy seems to be improving by degrees.

Meanings of By-design:

phrase

Intentionally

Usage examples:

I'm sure he ignored you by accident and not by design., the substance was discovered by accident an…

Meanings of By-dint-of:

phrase

As a result of something

Usage examples:

She got what she wanted by dint of pleading and threatening., we assumed that, by dint of our exper…

Meanings of By-fair-means:

idiom

If you try to achieve something by fair means or foul, you use any method you can to achieve it, even if it is not honest or fair.

Meanings of By-fair-means-or-foul:

idiom

If you try to achieve something by fair means or foul, you use any method you can to achieve it, even if it is not honest or fair.

Meanings of By-force:

idiom

Because it is a habit

Usage examples:

By force of habit i always hung the house keys on a hook next to the front door.

Meanings of By-hand:

idiom

Without the use of a machine

phrase

By a person and not a machine.

Usage examples:

The crop has to be harvested by hand

Meanings of By-hook-or-by-crook:

idiom

In any way necessary

phrase

By any possible means.

Usage examples:

The government intends, by hook or by crook, to hold on to the land

Meanings of By-inches:

idiom

Very closely or only just

Usage examples:

The car skidded and i avoided the dog by inches (= i very nearly hit the dog).

Meanings of By-itself:

phrase

Alone or without help

Usage examples:

The animal had been left in the house by itself for a week., a cough will usually get better by its…

Meanings of By-law:

noun

A law made by local government that only relates to its particular region

Usage examples:

Taxi drivers in the city are controlled by very stringent bylaws and licensing conditions., under t…

Meanings of By-means:

idiom

Not in any way

Usage examples:

It is by no means clear what the president can do to end the strike.

Meanings of By-means-of:

plural noun

A method or way of doing something

Usage examples:

They had no means of letting him know that the flight was canceled., students are selected for scho…

noun

A method or way of doing something

Usage examples:

We must use every means at our disposal., means of sth we need to find some other means of transpor…

Meanings of By-mistake:

phrase

By accident

Usage examples:

I've paid this bill twice by mistake., i sent it to paolo by mistake., she had shot a rare bird by …

Meanings of By-mouth:

idiom

In speech but not in writing

Usage examples:

All the orders were given by word of mouth so that no written evidence could be discovered later.

Meanings of By-much:

idiom

Without asking for permission

Usage examples:

That's twice now he's just walked in here without so much as a by-your-leave and picked a book off …

Meanings of By-oneself:

idiom

To improve your situation without any help from other people

Usage examples:

He left school at 15 and pulled himself up by his bootstraps to ultimately head up a company.

Meanings of By-product:

noun

Something that is produced as a result of making something else

Usage examples:

A by-product of sth selenium is a by-product of copper refining., oil/animal/chemical by-products, …

Meanings of By-proxy:

noun

Authority given to someone to act for you, as by voting as your representative in an election, or the person to whom this authority is given

Meanings of By-surprise:

phrase

To surprise someone

Usage examples:

The sudden noise took her by surprise., when the attack happened, his troops were taken by surprise…

Meanings of By-the-book:

idiom

Exactly according to rules or the law

Usage examples:

The lawyers want to make sure we've done everything strictly by the book.