ADVANCED LEVEL

Appearance

Ear

The association of earwith hearing/listening is prominent in most of these idioms.

Example	Meaning
In my opinion, you should just play it by ear.	respond to the situation as it occurs, don't decide what to do beforehand.
Doyou playthe guitar from music or by ear?	play without music; just by sensing the right notes.
I couldn't believe my earswhen she told me.	couldn't believe what I was hearing.
Bill never listens when you tell him important things. It just goes in one ear and out the other.	doesn't listen or pay attention; forgets things immediately.
Go on! Tell me the gossip. I'm all ears!	I'm very keen to hear what you have to tell me.

Other face idioms: lips, mouth, nose, teeth, tongue

Some literal associations remain strong in these idioms. But remember, these are only guidelines, and some idioms may be less transparent in their meanings.

Main association: Lips are associated with saying/talking.

Ex: The company pays lip service to the principle of equal rights for women, (says it believes in, but does not carry out). I promise I won't tell anyone. My lips are sealed. (I shall keep the secret / tell no one).

Main association: Mouths are associated with speaking or eating.

Ex: I heard about the school by word of mouth. Everyone said it was good, (by being told directly). Those cream cakes are really mouth-watering /making my mouth water. Take them away before I eat them all! (making me want to eat them).

Main association: Noses are associated with feelings/reactions and involvement.

Ex: Stop poking/sticking your nose into other people's business! (interfering in).

You shouldn't turn your nose up at 200 pounds a week. It's better than nothing, (refuse). That new secretary gets right up everybody's nose. Someone will have to talk to the boss about it before it's too late. (annoys/irritates everyone).

Main association: Teeth are associated with hard work / determination / struggles.

Ex: He achieved it in the teeth of serious opposition (despite). I escaped disaster by the skin of my teeth. (I only just escaped a disaster). We can't change what's happened. We'll just have to grit our teeth and do our best to carry on as before, (accept the situation and handle it with determination).

Main association: Tongues are associated with speaking.

Ex: I was upset by her remarks, but I bit my tongue (remained silent; didn't react).

Her name's on the tip of my tongue, but I just can't remember it. (I know it and will be able to remember it very soon).

Face

Our face presents the image we show people and that is reflected in most of the idioms with face.

Idiom	Meaning	Example
make/pull a face	show that you do not like something by making an unpleasant expression.	Emma pulled a face when she heard that Jim was coming to the party.
keep a straight face	not to laugh or change your expression even though you want to laugh.	It was all I could do to keep a straight face when I saw Jim in his new suit.
put a brave face on something	pretend you are happy about something when you are not happy.	Chris was disappointed about not getting the job, but he's put a brave face on it.
take something at face value	accept something as it looks without thinking about whether it might, in fact, not be quite what it appears.	I decided to take his words at face value although my brother told me I was being naive.
on the face of it	according to the appearance of something	On the face of it, it's a generous offer. But I feel there might be a trick in it.
face to face	with another person in their presence rather than, say, by phone or letter.	You should really discuss this with her face to face.

Hair

Hairin idioms often has associations with being calm and in control. If you say to someone Keep your hair on! (informal) you mean Calm down!

Ex: Her boyfriend has disappeared again. She's tearing/pulling her hair out! (getting very anxious)- (usually used with continuous verb forms). My boss didn't turn a hair when I handed in my notice (showed no reaction at all).

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UPPER-INTERMEDIATE LEVEL	\|	Neck and chest

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