to use an opportunity to get the most benefit.

Critics continue to make hay over the president's lack of self-discipline.

Usage notes: usually said about a competitive situation

• the bare bones
• the battle lines are drawn
• the battle of the sexes
• the be-all and end-all
• the beau monde
• the beauty of
• the beauty of something
• the beginning of the end
• the best of both worlds
• the best of the best
• the best of the lot
• the best thing since sliced bread
• the better part of
• the better part of something
• the Bible Belt
• the big daddy
• the bigger they are, the harder they fall.
• the big picture
• the big smoke
• the big time
• the bird has flown.
• the birds and the bees
• the biter bit
• the biter is bit
• the bitter fruits