Body Idioms

All of these idioms have a body part in them...
Click on the idiom to study the meaning:

to get off (someone's) backto stop bothering somebody		to get off on the wrong footto start something in a bad way
head startbegin something before others do		I'm all ears.I'm ready and eager to listen to you.
all thumbsto be uncoordinated or ungraceful		cross one's mindto suddenly recall or think of something
heart-to-hearta very honest and open conversation		get/have cold feetbecome nervous before an important event

Read the sentences and try to guess the meaning of the underlined idioms.

1. I'm all thumbs today! I tripped and fell, and I broke my favorite coffee cup.

a)I have 10 thumbs on my hand. b)I am uncoordinated and clumsy today. c)I fell on my thumbs and broke them.

2. I talked to my sister heart-to-heart and told her how I felt about my boyfriend.

a)I spoke to my sister very honestly about my feelings. b)I talked to my boyfriend about my sister. c)I spoke to my sister about my heart.

3. Wendy: How did you finish your work so quickly? Henry: I had a head start.

a)Henry's head started to work. b)Wendy is slow and lazy. c)Henry started before Wendy.

4. Mother: You're late! Did it ever cross your mind to pick up a phone and call me?! Daughter: I'm sorry, I was busy and I just couldn't call. Mother: Well, OK, but I was really worried about you! Daughter: I'm really sorry, next time I'll call if I'm going to be late.

a)Did you forget me? b)Did you think of calling me? c)Didn't you call me?

5. I was supposed to give a speech to my English class, but I got cold feet and I didn't go.

a)I got too nervous, and I didn't go. b)My English class makes my feet feel too cold. c)My feet got cold, so I didn't go.

6. Steve: How was the first day on your new job? Henry: It was terrible! I hit my new manager's car in the parking lot, so I got off on the wrong foot. What an awful way to start the day!

a)I drove over my new manager's foot. b)My day started badly. c)I lost my new job today.

7. Shawn: Hey! I have some great news! Kate: I'm all ears....

a)Tell me - I'm listening! b)My ears are ready. c)I have an earache.

8. I've already finished my project. Get off my back now!

a)My work is done now, so I can go home. b)Leave me alone and stop telling me to do my project! c)My back hurts, so I want to finish my work.

9. I made a bad first impression when I met Maria.

a)I'm all thumbs today! b)I have cold feet. c)I got off on the wrong foot.

10. I just remembered! I need to pick up some milk at the store.

a)I'm all ears. b)It just crossed my mind. c)I had a head start।

Posted in: English Class