English idioms: Body, And & Health
12 idioms with meanings and example sentences, plus where many of them come from.
break a leggood luck, especially before a performanceBreak a leg at your audition tonight!Origin: A theatre superstition that wishing good luck would bring bad luck.
keep an eye onto watch carefullyCan you keep an eye on my bag?Origin: A literal image of watching something.
lend a handto helpCould you lend a hand with these boxes?Origin: Hands are the symbol of help and work.
cold feetsudden nervousness before an actionHe got cold feet before the wedding.Origin: Cold feet suggested fear and unwillingness to proceed.
get something off your chestto say what has been troubling youI need to get this off my chest.Origin: The chest was seen as the place where feelings were held.
bite your tongueto stop yourself from saying somethingI bit my tongue instead of arguing.Origin: A literal image of stopping speech.
a pain in the neckan annoying person or thingThis paperwork is a real pain in the neck.Origin: Neck pain is irritating and hard to ignore.
head over heelsdeeply in loveThey're head over heels in love.Origin: Originally 'heels over head', a reversed image of being upside down.
on the tip of my tonguealmost able to remember somethingHis name is on the tip of my tongue.Origin: Describes a word almost spoken.
by the skin of your teethby a very narrow marginWe caught the train by the skin of our teeth.Origin: From the Bible's Book of Job.
have a sweet toothto love sweet foodsI have a sweet tooth, so I always order dessert.Origin: The tooth stands for taste preference.
pick someone's brainto ask someone for ideas or adviceCan I pick your brain about marketing?Origin: A literal image of extracting thoughts.
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