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