Picture this: you’re in an English-speaking country, and you overhear someone say that they’ve “got cold feet”. But wait a minute, their shoes are on, so how can their feet be cold? You might find it a little strange until you realize that they’re using an idiom! English is a language rich in idioms, and body parts often take the starring role in these colorful phrases. Understanding idioms can help you fully grasp native English conversations and express yourself more naturally. Plus, it’s quite fun once you start getting the hang of it! So, are you ready to lend an ear and learn more?
Let’s jump headfirst into our exploration with 23 vibrant English idioms related to body parts:
1. Cold feet: To have cold feet means to suddenly become too frightened to do something you had planned.
Example: He was going to try bungee jumping but got cold feet at the last moment.
2. Break a leg: This phrase is a way of wishing someone good luck, especially before a performance.
Example: The whole cast wished her to break a leg before the curtain rose.
3. Cost an arm and a leg: Something that costs an arm and a leg is very expensive.
Example: Her new car must have cost an arm and a leg.
4. Cry your heart out: To cry your heart out means to cry very hard.
Example: She cried her heart out when she saw the movie.
5. Eye-catching: Something that is eye-catching is very attractive or noticeable.
Example: The bright colors of the bird were truly eye-catching.
6. Face the music: If you have to face the music, you have to accept the unpleasant consequences of your actions.
Example: After breaking the vase, the boy knew he would have to face the music.
7. Get something off your chest: To get something off your chest means to talk about a problem that has been worrying you.
Example: I feel better after getting that off my chest.
8. Have a heart: If someone has a heart, they are compassionate.
Example: Come on, have a heart! He’s really struggling.
9. Keep an eye on: To keep an eye on something means to watch or look after it.
Example: Could you keep an eye on my bag while I use the restroom?
10. Lose your head: If you lose your head, you lose control and start to act without thinking.
Example: He lost his head when he realized he was late for his flight.
11. On the tip of your tongue: If something is on the tip of your tongue, you know it but can’t quite remember it.
Example: Her name is on the tip of my tongue.
12. Play it by ear: To play it by ear means to decide how to deal with a situation as it develops rather than planning in advance.
Example: We don’t have a fixed plan for the weekend. We’ll play it by ear.
13. Pull someone’s leg: If you pull someone’s leg, you tease them by trying to make them believe something that’s not true.
Example: Don’t worry, I’m just pulling your leg!
14. Put your foot in your mouth: To put your foot in your mouth means to say something by accident that embarrasses or upsets someone.
Example: He really put his foot in his mouth with his insensitive comment.
15. See eye to eye: If two people see eye to eye, they agree about something.
Example: We don’t always see eye to eye on politics.
16. Take it to heart: To take something to heart means to be deeply affected or upset by it.
Example: She took his criticism to heart.
17. Thumb a ride: To thumb a ride means to hitchhike.
Example: We had to thumb a ride after our car broke down.
18. Under someone’s thumb: If you’re under someone’s thumb, you’re completely under their influence or control.
Example: He’s been under his mother’s thumb for years.
19. Get under one’s skin: If someone or something gets under your skin, it annoys you or affects you deeply.
Example: His arrogance really gets under my skin.
20. Wash one’s hands of: To wash one’s hands of something means to stop being involved in it, usually because you’re disappointed or no longer interested.
Example: I’m washing my hands of this whole affair.
21. Have one’s back to the wall: To have your back to the wall means to be in a very difficult situation.
Example: After losing his job, he felt he had his back to the wall.
22. Have a gut feeling: To have a gut feeling means to have a strong intuition about something.
Example: I had a gut feeling that she would win the competition.
23. Put one’s foot down: To put your foot down means to be firm about something and refuse to change your mind.
Example: My parents put their foot down and told me I couldn’t go to the party.
Wow, we’ve covered quite a bit of ground here! You now have 23 idioms related to body parts up your sleeve. Idioms are a delightful way to make your English conversations more natural and colorful. They might seem odd at first, but with practice, you’ll find them rolling off your tongue in no time. So go ahead, flex your English muscles and incorporate these idioms into your daily conversations!
