Learn Idioms with Body Parts in English

English is full of idioms that use parts of the body to express emotions, actions, and ideas in everyday situations. From “keep an eye on” to “cold feet” and “a big mouth,” these body part idioms will help you understand native expressions and make your English sound more natural and fluent.

What Are Body Part Idioms?

Idioms with Body Parts

Body part idioms are phrases that include a part of the body but don’t literally refer to it.
For example:

“Keep an eye on” means to watch or take care of something, not to literally use your eye.
“Break a leg” means good luck, not to actually break your leg!

These idioms are common in both spoken and written English, and they add color and personality to your communication.

Idioms with Body Parts

Idioms with body parts in English with meaning and example sentence.

Blow your mind/Mind blowing

Meaning: Something that blows your mind is extraordinary or unbelievable.
Example: The treasures in the palace were mind blowing

By heart

Meaning: To learn something very well or to know something word-for-word.
Example: Rohan knew the poem by heart.

All ears

Meaning: To be all ears is to be very interested in what someone else is saying.
Example: I’m all ears, let’s continue.

Close shave

Meaning: The phrase close shave describes coming very close to an accident or narrowly avoiding it.
Example: The car almost hit me. It was a close shave.

Get on your nerves

Meaning: The phrase is used for something that annoys or irritates to a great extent.
Example: I really don’t want to meet them, they keep asking questions and it gets on my nerves.

Hale and hearty

Meaning: This phrase is used to refer to someone who is well or in great health.
Example: My uncle was admitted to the hospital a couple of days back for a minor stomach ache but now he is hale and hearty.

Let your hair down

Meaning: To relax and enjoy.
Example: After a stressful week at work, Rita likes to let her hair down over the weekend.

No sweat

Meaning: This phrase is used to refer to a task that is easy to do/ will take no effort.
Example: I’ll get the job done, no sweat.

Roll your eyes

Meaning: To roll your eyes at something is to show little interest or express disbelief.
Example: He rolled his eyes at the presentation. Most of the information was incorrect.

Slip of the tongue

Meaning: ‘Slip of the tongue’ is a phrase used when someone says something accidentally.
Example: I’m sorry I told her about the money. It was a slip of tongue.

Keep an eye on

Meaning: Take care of, watch in order to protect
Example: Will you keep an eye on my daughter for a while?

Joined at the hip

Meaning: To be exceptionally close to someone
Example: Chris and Jenny have been joined at the hip since they started dating each other a year ago. You would never see one without the other.

Pat on the back

Meaning: Recognition or a thank-you
Example: Alex deserves a pat on the back for all his hard work.

See eye to eye

Meaning: Agree
Example: We don’t see eye to eye on business issues.

On the nose

Meaning: Precisely, at an exact time
Example: Her estimate was right on the nose.

A sight for sore eyes

Meaning: Someone that you’re pleased to see
Example: You’re a sight for sore eyes I thought you’d gone for good!

Cost an arm and a leg

Meaning: Be very expensive
Example: She saw a beautiful coat but it cost an arm and a leg.

Examples in Sentences

Don’t worry about the performance — break a leg!
I can’t go out tonight; I have my hands full with work.
He’s always daydreaming, his head is in the clouds.
That vacation cost us an arm and a leg, but it was worth it!
I didn’t mean to put my foot in my mouth — I just forgot she was there.

Tips for Learning Body Part Idioms

Learn idioms by body part (e.g., idioms with “hand,” “eye,” “head”).
Use them in real sentences to remember their meanings.
Watch English shows or read stories to see idioms used naturally.
Avoid literal translation — idioms rarely mean exactly what they say.
Practice speaking with friends or classmates using one or two idioms each day.