badger someone
If you badger someone into doing something, you persistently nag or pester them until you obtain what you want.
"Sophie badgered her parents into buying her a new computer."
bag of bones
To say that someone is a bag of bones means that they are extremely thin.
"When he came home from the war he was a bag of bones."
bag of tricks
If you use your (whole) bag of tricks to do something, you try (all) the clever methods you know in order to succeed.
"Let's call on George and his bag of tricks; maybe he can help us solve the problem."
in the bag
People use the expression 'in the bag' when it becomes obvious that success or victory is going to be achieved.
"An hour before the polling stations closed, victory seemed in the bag for the Conservative candidate."
"In the final round, victory seemed in the bag for the defending team. They would no doubt win the gold medal."
bait and switch
This term refers to a deceptive commercial practice of advertising
a low-priced item to attract customers, then telling them that the product is out of stock and persuading them to buy a more expensive article.
"I try to avoid that store. It's famous for its bait and switch tactics!"
in the balance
If something is in the balance, the situation is uncertain and it is not clear what is going to happen.
"The future of the company is in the balance while the takeover bid is being examined."
balancing act
When you try to satisfy two or more people or groups who have different needs, and keep everyone happy, you perform a balancing act.
"Many people, especially women, have to perform a balancing act between work and family."
ball and chain
This term refers to a burden or problem that ties you down and prevents you from doing what you want to do.
(It can also refer to one's spouse.)
"Our holiday home has become a ball and chain - it's too much work."
(the) ball is in your court
If the ball is in your court, it is your turn to speak or act next.
"We gave the manager a list of complaints, so the ball is in his court now."
have a ball
If you have a ball you enjoy yourself immensely.
"The party was great. We had a ball."
on the ball
If you are on the ball, you are aware of what is happening and are able to deal with things quickly and intelligently.
"We need someone who is really on the ball to head the fund-raising campaign."
start the ball rolling
If you start the ball rolling, you begin an activity in which other people will join.
"Let's start the ball rolling by calling on our first speaker."
that's the way the ball bounces!
This expression means that things don't always work out as planned, and there's nothing we can do about it - that's life.
"He didn't get the prize he expected, but never mind - that's the way the ball bounces."
whole new ball game
To refer to something as a whole new ball game means that it is a completely different situation due to a new set of circumstances.
"Email and text messaging have made communication a whole new ball game."