Lesson 2: Idioms from the Body
Lesson 2 Explanation: Idioms from the Body
- in the blink of an eye
The word "blink" is when you close both eyes and open them again immediately. We blink our eyes every few seconds automatically. Because this action is very fast, the idiom "in the blink of an eye" means very quickly or suddenly.
Another idiom with the same meaning is "in a heartbeat." The difference is that “in the blink of an eye” is usually used with can, could, or the past tense:
• An accident could happen in the blink of an eye.
• Everything changed in the blink of an eye.
“In a heartbeat” is usually used with the word would:
• I would move to Hawaii in a heartbeat if I had the chance.
• If I were rich, I would buy that car in a heartbeat.
- know by heart
The ancient Greeks believed that the heart, not the head, was the center of intelligence and memory (as well as emotion). This is what gave origin to the idiom "know by heart" meaning "memorized."
There's also the idiom "learn by heart." The difference is that "learn by heart" refers to the process of memorizing something, and "know by heart" means you have already memorized it.
- thick skin
The thick skin of an animal like a crocodile means it can't be injured easily - so if a person has "thick skin" it means they have the ability to receive criticism without letting it affect them emotionally.
"Thick-skinned" is also used as an adjective - and the opposite, "thin-skinned," describes someone who is easily hurt or offended by any little thing.
- get off on the wrong foot
The origin of this idiom probably comes from the fact that many cultures have a superstition that the right foot is lucky and the left foot is unlucky. So if you start walking with the "wrong foot," it means you've started badly.
This idiom is used both for starting projects badly and for starting relationships badly. It's common to say that two people "got off on the wrong foot" if they didn't like each other the first time they met.
- it gets on my nerves
Nerves are the fibers that transmit signals from your brain to the other parts of your body. Nerves also enable you to feel pain and irritation - so if something "gets on your nerves," it means it's annoying.
You can use this idiom with a person or an action:
• My little brother always gets on my nerves.
• It gets on my nerves when my neighbors play loud music at night.
- upper hand
The exact origin of this idiom is unknown, but the hand is often a symbol of power. So if someone has the upper hand, it means they have the greater power; the advantage.
- give someone the cold shoulder
If you don't want to talk to someone, you might turn away so that they see your shoulder, not your face. The idiom "give someone the cold shoulder" means to reject the person or treat them rudely - sending the clear message that you don't want to talk to or interact with them.
- drag your feet
The verb "drag" means to pull something along the ground with a lot of effort. If you "drag your feet," you would be walking very slowly and reluctantly – so this idiom means to delay or move slowly on a project because you don't really want to do it.
- hold your tongue
You use your tongue when you speak, so to "hold your tongue" means NOT to speak - to say nothing.
- takes guts
"Guts" is an informal word for your stomach and intestines.
In the past, it was believed that these internal organs were the source of a person's courage. So if something "takes guts," it means it requires courage.
You can also say that someone doesn't have the guts [to do something] if the person doesn't have enough courage to do the activity. For example, "I don't have the guts to sing in front of a huge audience!"
- like pulling teeth
Your teeth are set very firmly in your mouth, and "pulling" (extracting) teeth is a painful and difficult process.
The idiom "it's like pulling teeth" is used to describe something that's difficult and painful. It's often used when talking about trying to get information from a person who doesn't want to communicate.
- get something off your chest
Your chest contains your heart, which is considered the center of emotion. So to get something off your chest means to express feelings or emotions that you have kept inside for a long time.
This phrase can be used for expressing positive or negative emotions. People usually feel better after expressing their feelings, so it's common to say "it feels good to get that off my chest."
You can now take the practice quiz and try the short-answer exercises.
