Idioms Based on Body Parts
Once students have learned the many slang terms for different parts of the body, they may be ready to move on to the next step: body-based idioms.
In fact, they may know a few already ("broken heart" is a common one, for example), but it's likely many of these expressions will be new to them.
To help you use this as a basis for a free-conversation lesson, we've also included some discussion questions to get your students talking.
Head
Head start
Meaning: an advantage at the beginning of something
- We've been speaking French to our young daughter at home so she has a head start on becoming bilingual.
Have a big head
Meaning: to be arrogant, overly confident
- Joe's really gotten a big head since he was promoted to manager.
Head over heels
Meaning: deeply in love
- We're head over heels for our new puppy!
- He fell head over heels for the barista at the local cafe.
Hair
Let one’s hair down
Meaning: to relax and act freely
- I need a vacation; I rarely get a chance to let my hair down.
Tear one’s hair out
Meaning: to be very frustrated or worried
- My three toddlers are making me tear my hair out!
Ears
Up to one’s ears (in something)
Meaning: to have too much of something
- I'm up to my ears in paperwork, so my office is a mess!
Be all ears
Meaning: to be listening carefully
- If you have some recommendations for me, I'm all ears.
In one ear and out the other
Meaning: to easily forget something learned recently
- I've told them many times, but it's in one ear and out the other.
Eyes
Have eyes bigger than one’s stomach
Meaning: to want (or to order) more food than one can eat
- I shouldn't have ordered so much; my eyes were bigger than my stomach.
Turn a blind eye (to something)
Meaning: to ignore, to pretend not to see
- The dirty politicians turned a blind eye to the illegal activity.
Mouth
(Have a) big mouth
Meaning:
> Verb - to talk too much (usually when revealing sensitive information)
> Noun - a person who talks too much
- He has a big mouth, so don't share any secrets with him.
- Don't be a big mouth.
Put one’s foot in one’s mouth
Meaning: to say something that makes the speaker look bad or feel embarrassed
- Wow, he really put his foot in his mouth with that silly comment, didn't he?
(Have something) on the tip of one’s tongue
Meaning: to almost remember something you want to say
- What's the name of that old TV show? Ah, it's on the tip of my tongue!
Bite one’s tongue
Meaning: to refrain from speaking
- Don't bite your tongue; tell me exactly how you feel.
By the skin of one’s teeth
Meaning: just barely
- I thought we'd be too late, but we caught the train by the skin of our teeth.
- I passed the exam by the skin of my teeth; one more incorrect answer and I would've failed!
Upper body
Stick one’s neck out
Meaning: to accept a risk (often in order to help someone else)
- He stuck his neck out for me, so I have extra motivation to succeed.
Get something off one’s chest
Meaning: to talk about something after keeping it to oneself
- It really feels good getting that off my chest; I've wanted to tell someone for weeks.
Keep someone at arm’s length
Meaning: to keep a distance from someone
- She keeps everyone at arm's length, so no one knows her very well.
Lower body
Give someone a hand
Meaning: to help
- Can you give me a hand moving this box? It's pretty heavy.
Know (something) like the back of one's hand
Meaning: to know in detail
- I grew up in this neighborhood, so I know it like the back of my hand.
Shake a leg
Meaning: move quickly
- It's time to go, so shake a leg!
“Break a leg!”
Meaning: "Good luck!"
• Your performance is tonight? Break a leg!
Have two left feet
Meaning: to be a poor dancer
- I used to have two left feet until I joined a salsa class.
Dig one’s heels in
Meaning: to be determined to do something in a particular way
- Don't waste your time trying to change his mind; he'll just dig his heels in further.
Discussion questions
- When was the last time you had to bite your tongue?
- What do you wish you got a head start on?
- What do you like to do to let your hair down?
- Have you ever stuck your neck out for someone?
- What do you know like the back of your hand?
- When was the last time you gave someone a hand?
- Do you know anyone with two left feet?
- How do you wish someone good luck in your native language?
Wrap-up
After introducing these idioms, ask if there are any equivalent or similar expressions in their native language. It's not uncommon for different languages and cultures to have similar sayings with slight differences that can be quite interesting and even amusing. This could lead to a lively and enjoyable discussion.
