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Idiom  body

Idiom body

Date: Jul 21 2007

Topic:

Author: alkhader

Lesson

Idiom MeaningExample Sentence
all earsfully listeningGive me a minute to finish my work and then I'll be all ears to hear about your project.
break a leg good-luckToday's the big game, eh? Break a leg!
cold feetnervous just before a big eventMy sister didn't get cold feet until she put her wedding gown on.
cost an arm and a legbe very expensiveThese cakes are delicious, but they cost an arm and a leg.
cry your heart outcry very hardI cried my heart out when my best friend moved away.
face the musicmeet, stand up to unpleasant conseqences, for example criticism or punishment I stayed out all night. When I eventually got home I had to face the music from my wife.
(my) flesh and bloodrelativeI have to hire Mia. She's my own flesh and blood.
get something off one's chesttell someone your problemsThanks for listening to me complain about my boss. I just needed to get this off my chest.
give a hand, lend a handhelp (someone) do somethingI can give you a hand when you move if you like.
have one's head in the cloudsbe unaware or unrealistic about somethingAmy has her head in the clouds if she thinks she's going to pass her exams without studying.
head over heels deeply in loveMy brother is head over heels for his new girlfriend.
head startan earlier startThe kids gave Anthony a head start in the bicycle race because he was the youngest.
in over one's head taking on a task that you can't handleI was in over my head when I agreed to babysit the triplets and the dogs.
keep an eye ontake care of, watch in order to protectI'll keep an eye on the dinner while you're on the phone.
keep one's chin uptry to be cheerfulKeep your chin up. I'm sure you'll make some friends soon.
learn by heart, know by heartmemorizeI learned my multiplication tables by heart in the fourth grade.
let one's hair downrelax, have funGo to the cottage and let your hair down this weekend.
(my) lips are sealedpromise to keep a secretDon't worry, I won't tell your mother how much you spent. My lips are sealed.
makes my blood boilmakes me very angryIt makes my blood boil when people don't tie up their dogs.
neck of the woods nearby location or regionI heard that they might be opening a post office in our neck of the woods soon.
(an) old handan experienced person My uncle's an old hand at car repair. He'll know what the problem is.
over my dead bodynot unless I'm dead and can't stop youMy daughter wants a tatoo. I told her she'd get one over my dead body.
pat on the backrecognition or a thank-youThe party organizers deserve a pat on the back for a job well done.
play something by eardo something without a planWe don't know if the weather will be good enough for camping. We'll have to play it by ear.
pull one's leg joke or tease someoneI was just pulling your leg. I'm not really a police officer.
rule of thumbbasic rule (not always followed)The rule of thumb is that the students wear black pants and white shirts.
see eye to eyeagreeThe couple don't see eye to eye on how to train their pets.
(by the) skin of one's teethjust barelyI passed my exam by the skin of my teeth.
stick your neck outhelp someone a lot, with possible bad consequences for oneselfI stuck my neck out for Bessie when she was thrown out of her house.
sweet tootha love of sugar or sweet thingsI need three spoonfuls of sugar in my tea. I have a sweet tooth.
thick in the headnot very intelligentI'm a bit thick in the head when it comes to reading a map.
wash one's hands of somethingstop dealing with an issue or problemI'm washing my hands of Mary's addiction. She is going to have to get some professional help.

Comments

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Arinn

Arinn

Gambia

Fascinating post on body idioms! I never realized how often we use parts of the body to express complex ideas and emotions. It’s intriguing to see how these idioms provide insight into cultural perceptions of the body and its functions. 

05:15 PM Feb 24 2024 |

Mahtab.bp

Mahtab.bp

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

Very interesting idioms!


We have most of these idioms in our languae too!


Of course breaking a leg  can’t bring good-luck for anyone here!


Probably it brings problems like going to jail or something like that more than good luck!!!


Aha he needs a good luck to overcome that tragedy! :-))))

09:16 AM Jan 04 2015 |

saradara

saradara

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

like it! 

10:34 AM Nov 20 2014 |

realman986

realman986

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

very nice page.

04:57 PM Sep 30 2014 |

princessanika

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

they are very love each other,and very brave:)and a little creazy;)

02:04 PM Dec 17 2012 |

 julito

julito

Argentina

He is a   Schmoozer ( someone who  chats  or converses well) .... also :schmuck, a jerk.

01:48 PM Dec 17 2012 |

fereshteh198471

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

hi


 

01:39 PM Dec 17 2012 |

julian.segurab

Colombia

Some idioms are interesting to learn because native speakers use them a lot, so it is just pay attention, I don´t know if following is an idiom but it is usefull


It´s up to you .



Best Regards.


 



08:29 PM Feb 29 2012 |

mina2264

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

thanks for sharing with us, some useful  and interesting idioms

11:59 AM Feb 28 2012 |

zhadra-91@mail.ru

Kazakhstan

it comes in a handy!

07:40 AM Dec 27 2011 |

Nicte ha

Nicte ha

Mexico

alkhader:


Great!! thx 4 shareWink

09:37 PM Dec 06 2011 |

SATTAR

Saudi Arabia

I think it’s important to understand idioms just in case you are going to communicate with native speakers. Unless it’s one’s interest. By the way, it’s still not bad to know everything in the language :)

10:36 PM Dec 03 2011 |

rana al_shami

Palestinian Territory, Occupied

Intrested lesson


By the way I like these Idioms Smile

07:21 AM Dec 03 2011 |

foz12

foz12

Saudi Arabia

Thank you a million, very useful lesson.

03:21 PM Dec 02 2011 |

tranghd

Viet Nam

like it!

01:32 PM Jun 04 2011 |

rvirodhiya

India

its very interesting…..

12:12 PM May 06 2011 |

esfulct

esfulct

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

Thanks,,,

12:07 PM May 06 2011 |

♥ Øcean PuLse ♥

Oman

huge amount of thanx . .

06:17 PM Apr 18 2011 |

alpha girl

alpha girl

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

 Thnx alotCool

03:28 AM Mar 11 2011 |

sid033

sid033

China

I like it.Thank you.

12:40 AM Feb 18 2011 |

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