Body idioms
Here are ten common idioms which are related to body parts:
foot in mouth
To put your foot in your mouth means that you say or do something that accidentally embarrasses or offends another person
'I put my foot in my mouth when I called by brother's new wife by his ex-wife's name.'
cost an arm and a leg
When something costs an arm and a leg it costs a lot of money. It's very expensive.'
'It cost me an arm and a leg to get my car fixed.'
get off my back
We use this expression when someone is criticising you or telling what to do all the time.
'Stop telling me what to do. Get off my back!'
cold shoulder
To give someone the cold shoulder means to ignore someone.
'I saw my ex-girlfriend at a party but she wouldn't talk to me. She gave me the cold shoulder.'
cold feet
To get nervous and to have second thoughts about doing something.
'I'm getting cold feet about my wedding. I'm so nervous.'
a sight for sore eyes
We use this expression when we are very happy to see someone or something.
'Hi Frank. You're a sight for sore eyes. I haven't seen you for years.'
a finger in every pie
To have a finger in every pie means that you are involved in many activities.
off the top of my head
Off the top of my head means that you say something without really thinking about it. A spontaneous reaction.
'Off the top of my head, I'd say there were a thousand people there.'
look down your nose
When you look down your nose at someone you think you are better or more important than them.
'Because he's rich he seems to think that he's better than everyone. He really looks down his nose at people.'
play it by ear
To play it by ears means to improvise or do something without preparation.
I don't know where we should go tonight. Let's just play it by ear.'