a backroom boy (informal)

someone who does a lot of work in the type of job where they are not often seen by the public (often plural) Editors are very much the backroom boys of the film world

a back-handed compliment (British, American & Australian) also a left-handed compliment (American)

a remark which seems approving but which is also negative He gave me that classic back-handed compliment. He said I played football very well 'for a woman'.

a baby boomer (mainly American)

someone who was born between 1945 and 1965, a period in which a lot of babies were born Clinton was the first baby boomer in the White House. The ads are supposed to appeal to the baby boomer generation.

a babe in the woods (American & Australian)

someone who has not had much experience of life and trusts other people too easily When it comes to dealing with men, she's a babe in the woods

'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all

Prov. Love is such an important experience that even the pain of losing someone you love is better than not having loved that person. (A line from Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem, "In Memoriam A. H. H.") Tom: I've been so miserable since Nancy and I broke up. I wish I'd never met her. Fred: Come on, now—'tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.