Our body helps us do so many things—run, jump, eat, write, and even express our feelings. Because it’s so important, many sayings use body parts to explain ideas. These sayings are called idioms. Idioms are phrases that don’t mean exactly what the words say, but we use them to describe something in a fun or special way.
“Idioms about the body” use parts like hands, feet, eyes, or even your heart to talk about everyday life. You might hear someone say, “I have cold feet,” and they don’t mean their toes are cold—they’re just nervous. Learning these idioms will help you understand people better and use cool phrases when you talk. In this article, we’ll learn 45 idioms about the body and how to use them. Let’s begin!
Idioms About Body
1. Break a leg
Meaning: Wish someone good luck.
Example Sentences:
- “Break a leg at your dance recital!”
- “Before the play, we told her to break a leg.”
Other ways to say: Good luck, best wishes
Fun Fact/Origin: Actors say this instead of “good luck” because it’s considered bad luck to say “good luck” directly.
Usage: Used to wish someone success, especially before performances.
2. Cold feet
Meaning: Feeling nervous about doing something.
Example Sentences:
- “He got cold feet before his first roller coaster ride.”
- “She had cold feet about singing on stage.”
Other ways to say: Nervous, second thoughts
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from soldiers in the past who claimed their feet were too cold to fight.
Usage: Used when someone is hesitant to do something they planned.
3. All ears
Meaning: Fully listening and paying attention.
Example Sentences:
- “Tell me your story—I’m all ears.”
- “When she started the joke, we were all ears.”
Other ways to say: Listening closely, paying attention
Fun Fact/Origin: Imagines someone with big ears ready to hear everything.
Usage: Used when someone is eager to listen.
4. Lend a hand
Meaning: Help someone with something.
Example Sentences:
- “Can you lend a hand with these boxes?”
- “She lent a hand during the school cleanup.”
Other ways to say: Help out, assist
Fun Fact/Origin: Suggests offering your hand to help someone.
Usage: Used when offering or asking for help.
5. Eye to eye
Meaning: Agree with someone.
Example Sentences:
- “We see eye to eye on the game’s rules.”
- “They didn’t see eye to eye about the movie choice.”
Other ways to say: Agree, on the same page
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of looking directly at someone when agreeing.
Usage: Used when people agree or disagree.
6. Cost an arm and a leg
Meaning: Very expensive.
Example Sentences:
- “That new bike cost an arm and a leg!”
- “The concert tickets cost an arm and a leg.”
Other ways to say: Very pricey, expensive
Fun Fact/Origin: Suggests something so costly, it’s like giving up body parts.
Usage: Used to describe high costs.
7. Keep an eye on
Meaning: Watch something carefully.
Example Sentences:
- “Keep an eye on the cookies in the oven.”
- “Please keep an eye on my backpack.”
Other ways to say: Watch, monitor
Fun Fact/Origin: Imagine using your eye to guard something.
Usage: Used when watching over something or someone.
8. Pull someone’s leg
Meaning: Joke or tease someone.
Example Sentences:
- “I’m just pulling your leg about the surprise.”
- “He pulled my leg about the test scores.”
Other ways to say: Tease, joke
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from playful tricks people used to do.
Usage: Used when joking with someone.
9. Butterflies in your stomach
Meaning: Feeling nervous or excited.
Example Sentences:
- “I had butterflies in my stomach before the race.”
- “She felt butterflies before her speech.”
Other ways to say: Nervous, anxious
Fun Fact/Origin: Describes the fluttery feeling in your stomach when nervous.
Usage: Used when someone feels nervous or excited.
10. Head over heels
Meaning: Very much in love.
Example Sentences:
- “They’re head over heels for each other.”
- “He fell head over heels for the puppy.”
Other ways to say: Deeply in love, smitten
Fun Fact/Origin: Imagines someone flipping over with love.
Usage: Used to describe strong affection.
11. Hands down
Meaning: Without a doubt; easily.
Example Sentences:
- “She is hands down the best player on the team.”
- “That was hands down the funniest movie I’ve seen.”
Other ways to say: Definitely, unquestionably
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from horse racing, where a jockey could win without using the reins.
Usage: Used to emphasize certainty or ease.
12. On the tip of my tongue
Meaning: Almost remembering something.
Example Sentences:
- “Her name is on the tip of my tongue.”
- “The answer is on the tip of my tongue.”
Other ways to say: Almost remembered, nearly recalled
Fun Fact/Origin: Describes the feeling of nearly saying something.
Usage: Used when trying to recall information.
13. Put your foot in your mouth
Meaning: Say something embarrassing.
Example Sentences:
- “I put my foot in my mouth when I forgot her name.”
- “He put his foot in his mouth during the meeting.”
Other ways to say: Say the wrong thing, blunder
Fun Fact/Origin: Imagine saying something so wrong, it’s like putting your foot in your mouth.
Usage: Used when someone says something awkward.
14. Stick your neck out
Meaning: Take a risk.
Example Sentences:
- “She stuck her neck out to help him.”
- “He stuck his neck out by sharing his idea.”
Other ways to say: Take a chance, risk it
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from turtles extending their necks, making themselves vulnerable.
Usage: Used when someone takes a risk.
15. Give someone a hand
Meaning: Applaud or help someone.
Example Sentences:
- “Let’s give her a hand for her performance.”
- “He gave me a hand with my homework.”
Other ways to say: Applaud, assist
Fun Fact/Origin: Using hands to clap or help.
Usage: Used to show appreciation or offer help.
16. Have a sweet tooth
Meaning: Love sweets.
Example Sentences:
- “I have a sweet tooth for chocolate.”
- “She can’t resist candy; she has a sweet tooth.”
Other ways to say: Love sweets, crave sugar
Fun Fact/Origin: Suggests a tooth that loves sweet things.
Usage: Used to describe someone who loves sugary foods.
17. Cry your heart out
Meaning: Cry a lot.
Example Sentences:
- “She cried her heart out after the movie.”
- “He cried his heart out when his dog ran away.”
Other ways to say: Sob, weep
Fun Fact/Origin: Imagine crying so much it feels like your heart is involved.
Usage: Used when someone is very sad.
18. Get off my back
Meaning: Stop bothering me.
Example Sentences:
- “Get off my back; I’m doing my homework.”
- “He told his sister to get off his back.”
Other ways to say: Leave me alone, stop nagging
Fun Fact/Origin: Imagines someone riding on your back, weighing you down.
Usage: Used when someone wants to be left alone.
19. Play it by ear
Meaning: Decide as you go.
Example Sentences:
- “Let’s play it by ear and see what happens.”
- “We’ll play it by ear for the weekend plans.”
Other ways to say: Improvise, decide later
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from music, where playing by ear means without sheet music.
Usage: Used when not making a fixed plan.
20. All thumbs
Meaning: Clumsy.
Example Sentences:
- “I’m all thumbs when it comes to sewing.”
- “He was all thumbs with the new video game.”
Other ways to say: Clumsy, awkward
Fun Fact/Origin: Imagines having only thumbs, making tasks harder.
Usage: Used when someone is not skillful with their hands.
21. Pull your socks up
Meaning: Improve your behavior or work.
Example Sentences:
- “You need to pull your socks up and study.”
- “He pulled his socks up after the warning.”
Other ways to say: Try harder, improve
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from athletes pulling up socks before performing better.
Usage: Used to encourage better effort.
22. Give someone the cold shoulder
Meaning: Ignore someone.
Example Sentences:
- “She gave him the cold shoulder after the argument.”
- “He gave me the cold shoulder at lunch.”
Other ways to say: Ignore, snub
Fun Fact/Origin: In old times, serving a cold shoulder of meat was a sign of unwelcome.
Usage: Used when someone is being unfriendly.
23. Have eyes in the back of your head
Meaning: Be very aware.
Example Sentences:
- “Teachers seem to have eyes in the back of their heads.”
- “Mom knew I took a cookie; she has eyes in the back of her head.”
Other ways to say: Very observant, watchful
Fun Fact/Origin: Imagines someone seeing everything, even behind them.
Usage: Used when someone notices everything.
24. Keep your chin up
Meaning: Stay positive.
Example Sentences:
- “Keep your chin up; things will get better.”
- “He kept his chin up after losing the game.”
Other ways to say: Stay strong, be brave
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of holding your head high in tough times.
Usage: Used to encourage someone.
25. Bite your tongue
Meaning: Stop yourself from speaking.
Example Sentences:
- “I had to bite my tongue during the meeting.”
- “She bit her tongue instead of arguing.”
Other ways to say: Stay silent, hold back
Fun Fact/Origin: Imagines physically biting your tongue to stop talking.
Usage: Used when someone refrains from speaking.
26. Let your hair down
Meaning: Relax and have fun.
Example Sentences:
- “It’s the weekend—time to let your hair down!”
- “She let her hair down at the party and danced all night.”
Other ways to say: Relax, be yourself
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the old idea of women unpinning their hair at home to relax.
Usage: Used when someone is enjoying themselves freely.
27. Pain in the neck
Meaning: Something or someone annoying.
Example Sentences:
- “Cleaning my room is a pain in the neck.”
- “My little brother can be a pain in the neck sometimes.”
Other ways to say: Bother, nuisance
Fun Fact/Origin: The neck is a sensitive spot, so pain there can feel extra irritating.
Usage: Used when something is frustrating or annoying.
28. Have a big mouth
Meaning: Talk too much, especially secrets.
Example Sentences:
- “Don’t tell her—she has a big mouth.”
- “I didn’t mean to spoil the surprise—I just have a big mouth.”
Other ways to say: Talk too much, can’t keep a secret
Fun Fact/Origin: Suggests someone who talks a lot can’t keep their mouth shut.
Usage: Used when someone shares things they shouldn’t.
29. Put your heads together
Meaning: Work with others to solve something.
Example Sentences:
- “Let’s put our heads together and finish the puzzle.”
- “They put their heads together to plan the school fair.”
Other ways to say: Brainstorm, team up
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of people leaning in to discuss closely.
Usage: Used when working as a team to find a solution.
30. Shake a leg
Meaning: Hurry up.
Example Sentences:
- “Shake a leg—we’re going to be late!”
- “Come on, shake a leg or we’ll miss the movie.”
Other ways to say: Hurry, move faster
Fun Fact/Origin: Often said to performers backstage or in military wake-ups.
Usage: Used to tell someone to move quickly.
31. By the skin of your teeth
Meaning: Barely manage to do something.
Example Sentences:
- “I caught the bus by the skin of my teeth.”
- “He passed the test by the skin of his teeth.”
Other ways to say: Just barely, almost missed
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from a Bible phrase meaning a very narrow escape.
Usage: Used when someone barely succeeds or avoids failure.
32. Bite your nails
Meaning: Feel nervous or worried.
Example Sentences:
- “She bit her nails while waiting for her grade.”
- “I was biting my nails during the final inning.”
Other ways to say: Be anxious, nervous
Fun Fact/Origin: People often bite their nails when feeling uneasy.
Usage: Used when someone is worried or scared.
33. Long face
Meaning: Look sad or disappointed.
Example Sentences:
- “Why the long face? Did something go wrong?”
- “He had a long face after losing the game.”
Other ways to say: Sad, unhappy
Fun Fact/Origin: A droopy or stretched face often shows sadness.
Usage: Used to describe someone who looks upset.
34. Have your hands full
Meaning: Be very busy.
Example Sentences:
- “She has her hands full with three kids.”
- “I can’t help—I’ve got my hands full with chores.”
Other ways to say: Busy, overwhelmed
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of holding too much at once.
Usage: Used when someone has a lot to handle.
35. Play it by ear
Meaning: Decide as things happen.
Example Sentences:
- “Let’s play it by ear and see what the weather is like.”
- “We didn’t plan—it was all played by ear.”
Other ways to say: Improvise, go with the flow
Fun Fact/Origin: In music, it means to play without reading notes.
Usage: Used when someone makes decisions as they go.
36. Have a chip on your shoulder
Meaning: Be angry or upset about something.
Example Sentences:
- “He has a chip on his shoulder about losing the game.”
- “She walked around with a chip on her shoulder all day.”
Other ways to say: Be grumpy, hold a grudge
Fun Fact/Origin: In old times, people put a chip of wood on their shoulder daring others to knock it off.
Usage: Used when someone is upset or ready to argue.
37. Twist someone’s arm
Meaning: Strongly persuade someone.
Example Sentences:
- “He twisted my arm to join the team.”
- “It didn’t take much twisting—I said yes right away!”
Other ways to say: Convince, push
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from forcing someone to do something, like twisting their arm.
Usage: Used when convincing someone to do something they didn’t plan to.
38. Speak your mind
Meaning: Say what you really think.
Example Sentences:
- “He always speaks his mind in class.”
- “She spoke her mind about the new school rules.”
Other ways to say: Be honest, share your opinion
Fun Fact/Origin: Talking openly from your thoughts is like speaking from your mind.
Usage: Used when someone expresses their true opinion.
39. Have a heart
Meaning: Be kind or caring.
Example Sentences:
- “Have a heart—help your teammate.”
- “The teacher had a heart and gave us more time.”
Other ways to say: Be nice, show kindness
Fun Fact/Origin: The heart is often linked with emotions and caring.
Usage: Used to ask someone to be compassionate.
40. Lose your head
Meaning: Panic or act foolishly.
Example Sentences:
- “He lost his head when he forgot his lines.”
- “Don’t lose your head—it’s just a test.”
Other ways to say: Panic, get upset
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of not thinking clearly, like your head is gone.
Usage: Used when someone doesn’t stay calm.
41. Keep your head above water
Meaning: Just manage to survive or stay out of trouble.
Example Sentences:
- “She’s trying to keep her head above water with all her homework.”
- “We barely kept our heads above water this month.”
Other ways to say: Stay afloat, manage
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from swimming—if your head is above water, you’re not drowning.
Usage: Used when someone is struggling but managing.
42. Put your heart into it
Meaning: Do something with passion and effort.
Example Sentences:
- “She put her heart into the painting.”
- “He put his heart into the game and gave his best.”
Other ways to say: Try your best, give it your all
Fun Fact/Origin: The heart is linked to strong feelings and effort.
Usage: Used when someone works hard and cares about what they do.
43. Head in the clouds
Meaning: Daydreaming or not paying attention.
Example Sentences:
- “He has his head in the clouds during math class.”
- “Don’t walk with your head in the clouds—you’ll trip.”
Other ways to say: Distracted, daydreaming
Fun Fact/Origin: Imagines someone so distracted their mind is floating away.
Usage: Used when someone is not focused.
44. Face the music
Meaning: Accept the results of your actions.
Example Sentences:
- “He had to face the music after breaking the window.”
- “They faced the music when the test scores came in.”
Other ways to say: Accept the truth, deal with consequences
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from theater, where actors face the music (orchestra) during a show.
Usage: Used when someone takes responsibility.
45. My hands are tied
Meaning: You can’t do anything to help.
Example Sentences:
- “I want to let you in, but my hands are tied.”
- “Her hands were tied by the school rules.”
Other ways to say: Can’t help, stuck
Fun Fact/Origin: Tied hands can’t move—just like someone who has no options.
Usage: Used when someone is unable to act or make changes.
Quiz: Idioms About Body
Instructions: Read each question and the answer choices carefully. Pick the letter that best matches the meaning of the phrase or expression.
Question Key
1. What does “break a leg” mean?
A) Get hurt
B) Wish someone luck
C) Jump really high
2. If someone has “cold feet,” they are:
A) Ready to go
B) Feeling nervous
C) Wearing socks
3. What does “all ears” mean?
A) Listening carefully
B) Wearing earrings
C) Having large ears
4. If something “costs an arm and a leg,” it is:
A) Cheap
B) Dangerous
C) Very expensive
5. What does it mean to “pull someone’s leg”?
A) Help them walk
B) Trick or joke with them
C) Make them run
6. If you’re “head over heels,” you’re:
A) Walking backwards
B) Very much in love
C) Doing a handstand
7. What does it mean to “lend a hand”?
A) Give someone your glove
B) Clap for someone
C) Help someone
8. If something is “on the tip of your tongue,” you:
A) Are about to say it
B) Forgot it forever
C) Ate something hot
9. To “put your foot in your mouth” means:
A) Say something embarrassing
B) Try to eat your shoe
C) Run very fast
10. What does it mean to “have a sweet tooth”?
A) You love sweet foods
B) You have a toothache
C) You brush your teeth often
11. If you “get off my back,” you:
A) Climb off someone
B) Stop bothering someone
C) Carry them around
12. What does it mean to “keep your chin up”?
A) Look at the ceiling
B) Stay positive
C) Try not to fall
13. If someone has “a chip on their shoulder,” they are:
A) Eating chips
B) Upset or angry
C) Wearing something weird
14. What does “my hands are tied” mean?
A) You’re tied up in a game
B) You can’t help or do anything
C) You are making crafts
15. If someone has “a big mouth,” they:
A) Eat a lot
B) Can’t keep a secret
C) Yawn a lot
Answer Key
- B) Wish someone luck
- B) Feeling nervous
- A) Listening carefully
- C) Very expensive
- B) Trick or joke with them
- B) Very much in love
- C) Help someone
- A) Are about to say it
- A) Say something embarrassing
- A) You love sweet foods
- B) Stop bothering someone
- B) Stay positive
- B) Upset or angry
- B) You can’t help or do anything
- B) Can’t keep a secret
Wrapping Up
Body idioms are fun ways to talk about feelings and actions. We use body parts like hands, feet, eyes, and heads to say things in a more interesting way. Now that you know 45 body idioms, you can listen for them in conversations, books, and TV shows. They make your language stronger and more fun.
Keep practicing these idioms. Try using them when you talk or write. The more you use them, the easier they become. Idioms help you say things clearly, with a little extra style.
