Body Language: Exploring100 Idioms & Their Meanings
Body language is a powerful form of communication, often conveying more than words alone. This article delves into the fascinating world of English idioms related to body language, offering a comprehensive exploration of 100common phrases and their meanings. Understanding these idioms will greatly enhance your comprehension of the English language and your ability to interpret subtle cues in conversation and literature.
Arms and Hands
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To twist someone’s arm:
To persuade someone to do something they don’t really want to do.
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To play something close to the chest:
To keep information secret.
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To give someone a hand:
To help someone.
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To have a hand in something:
To be involved in something.
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To be all thumbs:
To be clumsy.
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To lend a hand:
To offer assistance.
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To keep your hands clean:
To avoid doing anything wrong or illegal.
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To have your hands full:
To be very busy.
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To live hand to mouth:
To have just enough money to live on.
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To wash your hands of something:
To refuse to be involved in something any longer.
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To be in good hands:
To be taken care of by someone capable and trustworthy.
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To bite the hand that feeds you:
To harm someone who has helped you.
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To eat out of someone’s hand:
To be very obedient.
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To have a finger in every pie:
To be involved inmany activities.
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To point the finger:
To blame someone.
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To pull someone’s leg:
To joke with someone.
Eyes and Face
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To keep an eye on:
To watch carefully.
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To catch someone’s eye:
To get someone’s attention.
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To be all eyes:
To be watching something closely, very attentive.
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To see eye to eye:
To agree with someone.
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To turn a blind eye:
To ignore something.
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To have a look on one’s face:
To express an emotion through facial expression.
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To face the music:
To accept the consequences of one’s actions.
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To keep a straight face:
To not show any emotion, especially when trying not to laugh.
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To lose face:
To be humiliated or embarrassed.
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To save face:
To avoid embarrassment.
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To have egg on your face:
To be embarrassed.
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To have a long face:
To look sad.
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To give a dirty look:
To look at someone angrily.
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To raise an eyebrow:
To show surprise or disapproval.
Head and Neck
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To be head over heels:
To be completely in love.
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To bite someone’s head off:
To speak to someone angrily.
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To get your head around something:
To understand something difficult.
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To keep your head above water:
To manage, especially when struggling.
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To put your heads together:
To discuss a problem with others.
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To turn the tables:
To reverse a situation.
Feet and Legs
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To get cold feet:
To become nervous or afraid to do something.
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To put your foot in it:
Tosay or do something embarrassing or tactless.
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To get off on the wrong foot:
To start a relationship or situation badly.
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To have your feet on the ground:
To be practical and sensible.
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To stand on your own two feet:
To be independent.
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To be on your feet:
To be ready to act or work.
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To run around in circles:
To be busy but achieve nothing.
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To pull up your socks:
To make an effort.
GeneralBody and Posture
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To be a pain in the neck:
To be annoying.
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To get something off your chest:
To talk about something that’s been bothering you.
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To feel it in your bones:
To have a strong feeling or suspicion.
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To have a gut feeling:
To have an intuitive feeling.
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To stick your nose in:
To interfere, to meddle.
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To be in the same boat:
To be in the same situation.
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To have butterflies in your stomach:
To feel nervous.
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To lose your stomach:
To vomit.
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To be all skin and bones:
To be very thin.
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To go through thick and thin:
To experience both good and bad times.
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To take something to heart:
To be deeply affected by something.
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To put your heart into something:
To do something with great enthusiasm and effort.
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To have a big heart:
To be generous and kind.
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To have achange of heart:
To change one’s mind.
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To wear your heart on your sleeve:
To openly express your feelings.
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To get under someone’s skin:
To annoy someone.
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To sit on the fence:
To avoid making a decision.
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To jump the gun:
To act toosoon.
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To keep a stiff upper lip:
To remain brave and not show emotion.
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To come to grips with something:
To deal with something difficult.
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To be on your toes:
To be alert and ready.
More Idioms
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To not bat an eyelid:
To not show anysurprise or emotion.
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To get a lump in your throat:
To feel very emotional and nearly cry.
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To be born with a silver spoon in your mouth:
Tobe born into a wealthy family.
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To be a couch potato:
To spend a lot of time sitting and watching television.
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To have a sweet tooth:
To enjoyeating sugary foods.
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To be a wet blanket:
To be a person who spoils the fun.
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To have a bee in one’s bonnet:
To be obsessed with something.
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To have a chip on your shoulder:
To be angry and ready to fight.
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To have a frog in your throat:
To be unable to speak clearly because of a cough.
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To have the gift of the gab:
To be good at talking.
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To get your wires crossed:
To misunderstand each other.
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To hitthe nail on the head:
To be exactly right.
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To let the cat out of the bag:
To reveal a secret.
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To make a mountain out of amolehill:
To exaggerate a small problem.
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To pass the buck:
To avoid responsibility by giving it to someone else.
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To spill the beans:
To reveal a secret.
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To take it with a pinch of salt:
To not believe something completely.
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To be on the right track:
To be doing things correctly.
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To be off the hook:
To be free from blame or punishment.
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To call it a day:
To stop working or doing something.
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To be at loggerheads:
To be in strong disagreement.
More Idioms
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To have an itchy foot:
To want to travel.
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To go to seed:
To deteriorate.
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To have a memory like a sieve:
To have a bad memory.
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To have a skeletonin the closet:
To have a secret from the past.
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To fly off the handle:
To suddenly get very angry.
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To be a big mouth:
To talk too much.
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To be a backseat driver:
To give unwanted advice.
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To be a know-it-all:
Tothink you know everything.
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To be a copycat:
To imitate someone.
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To be a early bird:
To wake up and start working early.
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To be in the doldrums:
To feel low in energy .
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To be chicken out:
To be scared to something.
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To feel under the weather:
To feel sick.
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To get the ball rolling:
To start an activity.
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To have a word with someone:
Totalk to someone to give advice.
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To cut corners:
To do something badly to save time.
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To be in stitches:
To laugh a lot.
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To be on cloud nine:
To be very happy.
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To be the apple of someone’s eye:
To be cherished and loved.
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To spill the beans:like a fish out of water:
To feel uncomfortable.
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To be as cool as a cucumber:
To feel calm after a difficult situation.
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To be out of thewoods:
To have passed a difficulty.
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A penny for your thoughts:
To ask someone what they are thinking.
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To be between a rock and a hard place:
To be in trouble.
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To beat around the bush:
To take a long time to say something .
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To be on the right track:
To be doing things correctly.
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To have a lot on your plate:
To have a lot of work.
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To go the extra mile:
To give additionaleffort.
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To be in somebody’s shoes:
To be in another person’s situation.
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To be a piece of cake:
To be very easy.
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To be the salt of the earth:
To be a good person.
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To get away with something:
To do something without punishment.
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To havea knack for something:
To be good at something.
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To lose your marbles:
To go crazy.
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To give someone the cold shoulder:
To ignore someone.
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To be a busybody:
To be a person that interferes in other people’s affairs.
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To be up for grabs:
Tobe available for anyone to have.
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To be at a loss for words:
To be unable to speak.
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To be a tough nut to crack:
To be adifficult person.
This is just a small selection of the many body language idioms found in the English language. Continue exploring and you’ll discover even more fascinating expressions!