2 VERB If you say that someone is bullshitting you, you mean that what they are telling you is nonsense or completely untrue. [INFORMAL , RUDE ] □ [V n] Don't bullshit me, Brian! □ [V ] He's basically bullshitting.
bu ll te r|ri|er (bull terriers )
1 N‑COUNT A bull terrier is a breed of strong dog with a short, whitish coat and a thick neck.
2 → see also pit bull terrier
bull|whip /bʊ l h w I p/ (bullwhips ) N‑COUNT A bullwhip is a very long, heavy whip.
bul|ly /bʊ li/ (bullies , bullying , bullied )
1 N‑COUNT A bully is someone who often hurts or frightens other people. □ I fell victim to the office bully.
2 VERB If someone bullies you, they often do or say things to hurt or frighten you. □ [V n] I wasn't going to let him bully me. ● bul|ly|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ …schoolchildren who were victims of bullying.
3 VERB If someone bullies you into something, they make you do it by using force or threats. □ [V n + into ] We think an attempt to bully them into submission would be counterproductive. □ [V n + into ] She used to bully me into doing my schoolwork. □ [be V -ed] The government says it will not be bullied by the press. [Also V n]
bu lly-boy (bully-boys ) also bully boy
1 N‑COUNT If you describe a man as a bully-boy , you disapprove of him because he is rough and aggressive. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …bully-boys and murderers.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] If you say that someone uses bully-boy tactics, you disapprove of them because they use rough and aggressive methods. [JOURNALISM , DISAPPROVAL ] □ Some people accuse the tax inspectors of bully-boy tactics.
bul|wark /bʊ lwə r k/ (bulwarks ) N‑COUNT A bulwark against something protects you against it. A bulwark of something protects it. □ [+ against ] The abbeys were founded in the 12th century by King David as a bulwark against the English. [Also + of ]
bum /bʌ m/ (bums , bumming , bummed )
1 N‑COUNT Someone's bum is the part of their body which they sit on. [BRIT , INFORMAL ]
2 N‑COUNT A bum is a person who has no permanent home or job and who gets money by working occasionally or by asking people for money. [AM , INFORMAL ]
3 N‑COUNT If someone refers to another person as a bum , they think that person is worthless or irresponsible. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ You're all a bunch of bums.
4 ADJ [ADJ n] Some people use bum to describe a situation that they find unpleasant or annoying. [INFORMAL ] □ He knows you're getting a bum deal.
5 VERB If you bum something off someone, you ask them for it and they give it to you. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n] Mind if I bum a cigarette?
6 → see also beach bum
▸ bum around PHRASAL VERB If you bum around , you go from place to place without any particular destination, either for enjoyment or because you have nothing else to do. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P ] I think they're just bumming around at the moment, not doing a lot. □ [V P ] She went off to bum around the world with a boyfriend.
bu m bag (bum bags ) N‑COUNT A bum bag consists of a small bag attached to a belt which you wear round your waist. You use it to carry things such as money and keys. [BRIT ] in AM, use fanny pack
bum|ble /bʌ mb ə l/ (bumbles , bumbling , bumbled )
▸ bumble around in BRIT, also use bumble about PHRASAL VERB When someone bumbles around or bumbles about , they behave in a confused, disorganized way, making mistakes and usually not achieving anything. □ [V P ] Most of us are novices on the computer–just bumbling about on them.
bumble|bee /bʌ mb ə lbiː/ (bumblebees ) also bumble bee N‑COUNT A bumblebee is a large hairy bee.
bum|bling /bʌ mbl I ŋ/ ADJ [ADJ n] If you describe a person or their behaviour as bumbling , you mean that they behave in a confused, disorganized way, making mistakes and usually not achieving anything. □ …a clumsy, bumbling, inarticulate figure.
bumf /bʌ mf/ also bumph N‑UNCOUNT Bumf consists of documents containing information which you may not need or find interesting. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ These days, we are bombarded with endless junk mail, fliers, and general bumf.
bum|mer /bʌ mə r / (bummers ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you say that something is a bummer , you mean that it is unpleasant or annoying. [INFORMAL ] □ I had a bummer of a day. □ What a bummer!
bump /bʌ mp/ (bumps , bumping , bumped )
1 VERB If you bump into something or someone, you accidentally hit them while you are moving. □ [V + into/against ] They stopped walking and he almost bumped into them. □ [V n] He bumped his head on the low beams of the house. ● N‑COUNT Bump is also a noun. □ Small children often cry after a minor bump.
2 N‑COUNT A bump is the action or the dull sound of two heavy objects hitting each other. □ I felt a little bump and I knew instantly what had happened. □ The child took five steps, and then sat down with a bump.
3 N‑COUNT A bump is a minor injury or swelling that you get if you bump into something or if something hits you. □ [+ on ] She fell against our coffee table and got a large bump on her forehead.