Idioms are figurative expressions that bear no direct connection to their literal meaning. These creative expressions serve to enrich the English language. A funny turn-of-phrase here or there can turn around vanilla descriptions and transform them into an interesting reading. In the initial segments of our series, we delved into some lesser-known idioms within the English lexicon. In this instalment, we will delve into idioms that centre around body parts.
Have Your Head in the Clouds:
This idiom is used when someone is perceived to be out of touch with reality and may harbour impractical notions about achieving success. It suggests that the individual is daydreaming or lost in their own world, oblivious to the practical considerations and challenges of everyday life.
For instance, ‘Whether some of them still have their heads in the clouds after our tournament win, I don't know.’
To Pick Brains:
This phrase signifies the act of seeking information or an opinion from someone who possesses considerable knowledge about a particular subject. This might come across as a gory saying but this has been used over the past many centuries as a way to request someone’s advice. For example, ‘Can I buy you coffee and pick your brain?’. It’s a request that experienced people of any industry have got at some point of time. This idiomatic expression essentially implies that you are engaging in a conversation or seeking advice from someone who is considered an authority or an expert in a specific field.
Eyes Bigger Than Your Stomach:
When someone's eyes are bigger than their stomach, it implies they desire more than they can realistically handle, typically in the context of food. This idiom has a historical background, with its earliest variation found in George Herbert's ‘Jacula Prudentum’ from 1651, where it was stated, ‘The eye is bigger than the belly.’ Incidentally, ‘Jacula Prudentum’ is a Latin title that roughly translates to ‘short and pointed comments made by judicious men.’ Or in contemporary times, you can say ‘I thought she made a mistake, a classic case of having eyes bigger than her stomach.’
To Play Something By Ear:
This idiomatic expression refers to approaching a situation or task without a set plan, instead, making decisions on the spot as the situation develops. It is often used in everyday conversation, especially when talking about less formal arrangements, for example, social or travel plans. This idiom comes from music where ‘playing something by ear’ means to play a musical instrument without reading from a music sheet. However, you can use it in many different contexts. For instance, ‘As he has no political party that can provide him with practical support, he is forced to play it by ear.’
To Cost an Arm and a Leg:
When something ‘costs an arm and a leg’, it is excessively expensive. This idiom underscores the high cost of a particular item or service. This vivid phrase paints a picture of a cost so exorbitant that it might seem as though you are parting with a substantial portion of your assets or even sacrificing something as valuable as an arm or a leg to obtain it. For example, if you're discussing the expense of a luxury bag, you could say, ‘Buying that bag would certainly cost an arm and a leg.’ This conveys the idea that the bag is far beyond the reach of most people due to its high price.
By incorporating these idiomatic phrases into your language, you can add colour and depth to your communication, making it more engaging and expressive. So far in this exploration of idiomatic expressions, we've delved into the captivating realm of idioms and their significance in language. Give yourself a pat on the back if you are already acquainted with these expressions. If you are not familiar with them, take the opportunity to acquaint yourself and amuse your friends!
We will present more peculiar English idioms in the further parts of the series.
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