A musical director was having a lot of trouble with one drummer. He talked and talked and talked with the drummer, but his performance simply didn"t improve.
Finally, before the whole orchestra, he said, "When a musician just can"t handle his instrument and doesn"t improve when given help, they take away the instrument, and give him two sticks, and make him a drummer."
A stage whisper was heard from the percussion section: "And if he can"t handle even that, they take away one of his sticks and make him a conductor."
- n. (pl. -ies) strong alcoholic spirit distilled from wine or fermented fruit juice. [dutch brandewijn]
BRASSY
adj. (-ier, -iest) 1 of or like brass.
- impudent.
- vulgarly showy.
- loud and blaring.
BRAZEN
—adj. - shameless; insolent.
- of or like brass.
- harsh in sound. —v. (foll. By out) face or undergo defiantly (brazen it out). brazenly adv. [old english]
BRAZIL
n. - tall s. American tree.
- (in full brazil nut) its large three-sided nut. [brazil in s. America]
BREACH
of promise n. Breaking of a promise, esp. To marry.
- of the peace n. Crime of causing a public disturbance.
- —n. - (often foll. By of) breaking or non-observation of a law, contract, etc.
- breaking of relations; quarrel.
- opening, gap. —v. - break through; make a gap in.
- break (a law, contract, etc.). step into the breach help in a crisis, esp. As a replacement. [germanic: related to *break]
BREAST
—n. - a either of two milk-secreting organs on a woman's chest. B corresponding part of a man's body.
- a chest. B corresponding part of an animal.
- part of a garment that covers the breast.
- breast as a source of nourishment or emotion. —v. - contend with.
- reach the top of (a hill). make a clean breast of confess fully. [old english]
BREATH
n. - a air drawn into or expelled from the lungs. B one respiration of air. C breath as perceived by the senses.
- a slight movement of air. B whiff (of perfume etc.).
- whisper, murmur (esp. Of scandal). catch one's breath 1 cease breathing momentarily in surprise etc.
- rest to restore normal breathing. Hold one's breath cease breathing temporarily. Out of breath gasping for air, esp. After exercise. Take one's breath away surprise, delight, etc. Under one's breath in a whisper. [old english]
- test n. Test with a breathalyser.
BREECH
birth n. (also breech delivery) delivery of a baby with the buttocks or feet foremost.
- n. Back part of a rifle or gun barrel. [old english]
BREEZE
—n. - gentle wind.
- colloq. Quarrel.
- esp. Us colloq. Easy task. —v. (-zing) (foll. By in, out, along, etc.) Colloq. Saunter casually. [probably spanish and portuguese briza]
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