build Idiom, Proverb
a sick building
build a better mousetrap
build up
sick building
builder's bum
build in
The cupboards are built in to the walls of the house．橱柜镶在屋子里的墙上。
It is not difficult to build wardrobes in if you want them．你想把衣柜镶在墙里，那并不难。
Yesterday he bought a transistor radio with an aerial built in．昨天他买了一架带天线的半导体收音机。
build on
I'll build on your support．我将依靠你的帮助。
Don't build too much on his promise．不要过多地指望他的许诺。
2．bottom on；be on the basis of以…为基础
We must develop our national economy by building on the development of agriculture．我们必须在发展农业的基础上，发展国民经济。
3．add on as a new part 加建一个新的部分
We can build an extension on later if you want one．如果你想要，我们以后可以扩建一间房子。
build up to
Idiom(s): build up to sthTheme: CAUTION
to lead up to something; to work up to something.
• You could tell by the way she was talking that she was building up to something.
• The sky was building up to a storm.
build sth to order
Idiom(s): build sth to orderTheme: CONSTRUCTION
to build something especially for someone.
• Our new car was built to order just for us.
• My company builds computers to order. No two are alike.
build castles in the air
Idiom(s): build castles in the air AND build castles in SpainTheme: IMAGINATION
to daydream; to make plans that can never come true.
• Ann spends most of her time building castles in Spain.
• I really like to sit on the porch in the evening, just building castles in the air.
build a fire under
Idiom(s): build a fire under sbTheme: MOTIVATION
to do something to make someone start doing something. (Informal.)
• The teacher built a fire under the students, and they really started working.
• Somebody built afire under Bill, so he finally went out and got a job.
build castles in Spain
Idiom(s): build castles in the air AND build castles in SpainTheme: IMAGINATION
to daydream; to make plans that can never come true.
• Ann spends most of her time building castles in Spain.
• I really like to sit on the porch in the evening, just building castles in the air.
Elvis has left the building
The show has come to an end. It's all over.Rome wasn't built in a day|Rome|build|built
Great things are not accomplished overnight; great deeds take a long time.
A proverb. A takes a long time to write a successful novel, but don't worry; Rome wasn't built in a day, as the saying goes.build a fire under|build|fire
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|air|build|build castles i
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.build on sand|build|sand
v. phr. To lay a weak or insufficient foundation for a building, a business, or a relationship. "I don't want to build my business on sand," John said, "so please. Dad, give me that loan I requested."build up|build
v. 1. To make out of separate pieces or layers; construct from parts. Johnny built up a fort out of large balls of snow. Lois built up a cake of three layers. 2. To cover over or fill up with buildings. The fields where Tom's father played as a boy are all built up now. A driver should slow down when he comes to an area that is built up. 3a. To increase slowly or by small amounts; grow. John built up a bank account by saving regularly. The noise built up until Mary couldn't stand it any longer. 3b. To make stronger or better or more effective. Fred exercised to build up his muscles. Joanne was studying to build up her algebra. 3c. informal To advertise quickly and publicize so as to make famous. The press agent built up the young actress. The movie company spent much money building up its new picture.build up to|build
v. phr. To be in the process of reaching a culmination point. The clouds were building up to a violent storm. Their heated words were building up to a premature divorce.build
buildIn addition to the idioms beginning with build, also see light a fire under. Also see under built.
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- build down
- build in
- build on
- build on sand
- build up
build down
build downReduce, diminish, as in Owing to increased vigilance, traffic in narcotics is finally building down. This term, the antonym of build up, came into use about 1980 with regard to reducing the stockpile of nuclear weapons and soon was applied more widely.
build on sand
build on sandUse an unstable foundation, as in If you buy nothing but high-risk stocks, your portfolio will be built on sand. This metaphor appears in the New Testament, where Jesus likens those who do not heed his sayings to a foolish man who builds his house on sand, which then is washed away by rain, flood, and wind (Matthew 7:24-27). [c. 1600]
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An build idiom dictionary is a great resource for writers, students, and anyone looking to expand their vocabulary. It contains a list of words with similar meanings with build, allowing users to choose the best word for their specific context.
Dictionary of similar words, Different wording, Synonyms, Idioms for Idiom, Proverb build
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