Expand Your Vocabulary: 10 English Idioms With Body Parts

The English language has plenty of idioms, and quite a few of them are frequently used. Let’s get familiar with 10 English idioms with body parts.

The apple of your eye

The apple of your eye is an idiom used when you are extremely fond of or proud of something or someone.

For example:

His new baby girl was the apple of his eye.

So, when you cherish something or someone, and it is your symbol of that which you watch over, you can use this idiom.

All hands on deck

All hands on deck is an idiom used when all members of the team are required to be involved in order to finish a certain job.

For example:

There were less than five weeks to organize the wedding, so it was all hands on deck.

Use this idiom when there is so much to do that absolutely everyone has to do some work in order to complete the job. When it is a dire emergency and all members of the team, even some who would not usually be expected to do it, should do the work of other members of the team.

With your tail between your legs

With your tails between your legs is an idiom used when you are humiliated and in a state of dejection.

For example:

He lost the fight and went home with his tail between his legs.

You can use this idiom when you want to say that somebody is embarrassed or ashamed, especially after they have been defeated, made a mistake, or failed.

Has the cat got your tongue?

Has the cat got your tongue is an idiom used when someone is remaining silent, and you are annoyed because they would not say anything.

For example:

Ugh! Cat’s got my tongue every time the professor asks me a question in class—even when I know the answer!

When someone is at a loss for words, or they are unusually quiet, and usually they are everything but quiet, you could use this idiom.

Head over heels in love!

Head over heels in love is an idiom used to describe somebody who is madly, deeply, and completely in love.

For example:

Lily fell head over heels in love with Tommy and wanted to spend every minute of the day with him.

This idiom figuratively means that someone thoroughly fell in love with someone else. They are totally enamored so they are obsessed with them and admire them.

Go to your head

Go to your head is an idiom that means that you are so proud of your success that it makes you conceited and vain.

For example:

She never let fame go to her head.

You can also use this idiom when you drink alcohol, and it makes you dizzy or slightly drunk, affecting your judgment so that you do silly things. However, if success or fame goes to your head, you start to think you are better or cleverer than other people, and you behave in an arrogant or silly way.

With your eyes shut

With your eyes shut is an idiom used to express that you can do something so easily that you do not have to make much effort.

For example:

I could make that journey with my eyes shut.

You can use this idiom when you can do something effortlessly because you have done it many times before; therefore, you have heightened perception and understanding, so you do it in a relaxed and carefree way.

Get cold feet

Get cold feet is an idiom used when you become nervous or frightened about something because you think it will fail.

For example:

They later got cold feet and canceled the order.

You can use this idiom when you suddenly become too frightened to do something you had planned to do. It is also used when you lose courage or confidence or when you lack courage or confidence to complete or undertake an action.

Jump down my throat

Jump down someone’s throat is an idiom used when someone responds to what someone else has said angrily or in a sudden and critical way.

For example:

Whoa, don’t jump down my throat—I’m just the messenger here. Talk to the boss if you’re unhappy with this decision.

You can use this idiom when someone replies with unexpected sharpness, attacks, or criticizes in a violent way. It can also be used to severely criticize someone in a way that seems unfair.

Running around like a headless chicken

Running around like a headless chicken is an idiom used to describe someone acting in a panic-stricken way and not thinking clearly about what should be done.

For example:

Give yourself enough time before the deadline so that you don’t have to be running around like a headless chicken at the last minute.

You use this idiom when you are busy doing many things in a frantic, disorganized way without thinking and a purpose. So, stop running around like a headless chicken doing one useless thing after another, get down and learn some interesting idioms!