15 body idioms
Here are 15 idioms that use body parts to describe everyday situations. For example, “to keep your chin up” means to stay positive, not just to lift your chin! By understanding these idioms, you’ll be able to speak and understand English more naturally. Let’s dive in and explore these idioms together!
1. Get something off one’s chest
To share thoughts or feelings that have been bothering you.
I needed to get my worries off my chest, so I talked to my sister.
2. Put one’s foot down
To firmly say no or insist on a particular action.
He put his foot down when his roommate asked for rent money again.
3. Keep one’s chin up
To stay positive even when things are difficult.
Even after losing his job, he kept his chin up, looking for new opportunities.
4. Pull someone’s leg
To tease or joke in a playful way.
Don’t believe her; she’s just pulling your leg about moving to Paris.
5. Head over heels
To be very excited about something or someone.
He’s head over heels about his new job, talking about it nonstop.
6. Cost an arm and a leg
To be very expensive.
The car repair cost an arm and a leg, draining my savings.
7. Keep one’s fingers crossed
To hope for good luck or success.
Keep your fingers crossed that the weather stays sunny for our trip.
8. Heart of gold
Someone who is very kind and generous.
She’s got a heart of gold, always putting others before herself.
9. Get cold feet
To suddenly feel nervous about something.
He got cold feet at the last minute before his job interview.
10. On the tip of one’s tongue
When you almost remember something but not quite.
I know that word; it’s on the tip of my tongue!
11. Kick the bucket
To die.
My grandfather kicked the bucket last year at the age of 90.
12. Keep one’s nose to the grindstone
To work hard and steadily.
Keep your nose to the grindstone and you’ll finish the project in no time.
13. Hit the nail on the head
To describe exactly what the problem is.
He hit the nail on the head when he said our main issue is lack of time management.
14. See eye to eye
To agree with someone.
They saw eye to eye on the plan, moving forward quickly.
15. To stomach something
To tolerate something unpleasant or difficult.
He couldn’t stomach the taste of the medicine, so he asked if there was a different flavor available.
