Break a leg!

In the English language there are many idioms and expressions connected to parts of the body. I'm sure, during your English learning you've learnt body parts, but you may not be aware of other ways we use these words. Below is a list of 10, which Brits will definitely know, but which may be new to you.

to get cold feet - to get nervous and maybe change your decision

'He was going to do a bungee jump but then he got cold feet.'

to cost an arm and a leg - to be very expensive

'If you want to fly first-class to Australia it will cost you an arm and a leg.'

to let your hair down - relax, have fun

'You go and let your hair down, I'll look after the children tonight.'

to give someone a head start - an earlier start

'I'm faster at running than you, so I'll give you a head start.

to give someone the cold shoulder - ignore someone because you're angry with them

'She gave me the cold shoulder because I forgot her birthday.'

to play it by ear - do something without a plan

'Shall we book a hotel or just play it by ear when we arrive?'

to put your foot in it - to say something which upsets/embarrasses someone

'He really put his foot in it when he thought his girlfriend's sister was her mother!'

to be in over your head - involved in a difficult situation that you can't control

'He's owes so much money. He in over his head.'

to be all ears - to give someone your complete attention

'I'm all ears. I can't wait to hear what happened!'

to pull someone's leg - to tell someone something that's not true as a way of joking

'I didn't really meet Brad Pitt. I'm just pulling your leg!'

So as you can see, learning the body parts is just the beginning. Now it's time to take the next step and learn some body idioms. Keep your chin up, it's not that bad;)

#nativespeaker, #brzegdolny, #bodyvocab