Idioms with body parts
Click on the topics to learn the idioms then scroll down to do the tasks.
Head idioms
bury one’s head in the sand – pretend that sg. unpleasant doesn’t exist
can do sg. standing on one’s head – be able to do it very easily
the sword of Damocles hangs over one’s head – sg. bad can happen to him/her any time
a price on one’s head – money is offered for capturing a criminal
bang one’s head against a brick wall – not succeed, not make any progress
beat sg. into someone’s head – force sb. to learn sg.
bite one’s head off – speak to sb angrily
fill one’s head with sg. – put certain ideas into sb’s head
can’t make head or tail of it – can’t understand it at all
laugh one’s head off – laugh very loudly, very amused
Hand idioms
wait hand and foot on sb. – to be a humble and obedient servant of sb.
wash one’s hands of sg. – try to get rid of the responsibility/disclaim responsibility
win hands down – win easily
gain the upper hand on/over sb. – achieve superiority over sb.
have / get one’s hands tied – be restricted to act
get out of hand – get out of control
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. – Don’t risk what you already have for sg. better but uncertain.
rule with an iron hand – exercise brutal dominance
bite the hands that feed you – be ungrateful for your good faith and background
Many hands make light work. – the task is soon done if several people help
Foot idioms
put one’s foot down – stick to one’s decisions
have the shoe on the other foot – experience the opposite situation
get cold feet – lose courage, get scared
land on one’s both feet – get out of trouble unharmed
put one’s best foot forward – make an effort to impress people
get off on the wrong foot – have a bad start
have both feet on the ground – be sensible, realistic
shake the dust from one’s feet – leave a place in anger
let the grass grow under one’s foot – hesitate too long before acting
have one foot in the grave – be on the verge of death