Idioms with parts of the body Abayeva Madina
Ears • • • To bend someone’s ear Meaning: To talk to someone for a long time and bore and annoy them Example: Peter is bending Mary’s ear about something. Poor her! To go in one ear and out the other Meaning: To forget some information immediately because we didn’t pay attention to it properly. • Example: She told me what I had to buy, but it went in one ear and out the other
• To fall on deaf ears • Meaning: To be unheard, ignored by the person we is supposed to be listening • Example: I asked my boss for a pay rise , but my request fell on deaf ears. I never got it. • Someone’s ears are burning • Meaning: To talk about someone, or to think the people are talking about you • Example: We have been talking about you for the last half an hour. Are your ears burning?
Teeth • • • To have a sweet tooth Meaning: To like sweet food Example: I like candy and cakes. I really have a sweet tooth. To be pulling teeth Meaning: To be very difficult Example: I finally managed to finish the Science project, but it was like pulling teeth.
EYEBROWS • Down to a gnat’s eyebrow • Meaning: Very thoroughly, with a lot of detail / • Example: He described the room down to a gnat’s eyebrow. • EYE(S) • To turn a blind eye • Meaning: To ignore, to not do anything about something Example: . My mum knows I’m untidy, but she turns a blind eye to it.
• To be in the eye of the storm • Meaning: To be involved in something which is of public importance • Example: Building business are in the eye of the storm during the crisis. • • • To open someone’s eyes Meaning: To make someone realize the truth, make someone aware of something. Example: Your wife is lying to you, please, open your eyes.
• • To be up to one’s eyes Meaning: to be very busy Example: I can’t help you right now. I am to my eyes in work. • • To have eyes glued to something or someone Meaning: To watch something or someone for very long Example: She had her eyes glued to the TV screen for three hours.
Head • To bite someone's head off • If you bite someone's head off, you criticize them strongly (and perhaps unfairly). • I worked 10 hours a day all week and my boss bit my head off for not doing my share of the work! • To bang head against brick wall • If you bang your head against a brick wall, you continue vainly to try and achieve something in spite of several unsuccessful attempts. • I've been banging my head against a brick wall trying to explain the internet to my grandmother.
