Parts of the body
1 Many common idioms contain a part of the body, like the ones used in
29.1, for example a change of heart. It’s usually quite easy to work out
the meaning of these idioms. Start by thinking of the literal meaning
of the words, even forming a picture in your head, like the ones above.
In this way, match idioms 1–20 to meanings a–t.
eye
1 see eye to eye with someone
a ignore
2 raise eyebrows
b agree
3 cast your eye over something
c surprise
4 turn a blind eye to something
d check
head
5 turn something on its head
e panic
6 get your head round something
f survive
7 keep your head above water
g change
8 lose your head
h understand
hand
9 have a hand in something
i be in control
10 be given a free hand
j refuse responsibility
11 have the upper hand
k make the decisions
12 wash your hands of something
l help create
feet
13 find your feet
m reject
14 have your feet on the ground
n become anxious
15 get cold feet
o gain confidence
16 vote with your feet
p be sensible
fingers
17 put your finger on something
q be unsuccessful
18 get your fingers burned
r accuse
19 keep your fingers crossed
s
identify
20 point the finger at someone
t hope for good news
186 newshounds
English idioms
ocabulary spot
Idioms are used in both spoken
and written English, and
frequently appear in newspaper
articles. Some are more popular
than others and it is worth
checking in a dictionary to
find out which idioms are in
current use.
V
Do not attempt to
change any of the
vocabulary in an English
idiom. Similar idioms in
your own language may
use a different word – for
example, in one Swedish
idiom, you say you have
a chicken in your throat,
whereas in the English
one, it’s a frog!
Be careful when you use
idioms in your own
writing. They are
effective if used
sparingly, but the writing
becomes unnatural if too
many are included. See
Writing folder 15 for
more information.
Common verbs in idioms
2 You know the meaning of the verbs used below, but can you work out
the meaning of the idioms? Check in a dictionary if necessary.