BODY IDIOMS

ИДИОМЫ АНГЛИЙСКОГО ЯЗЫКА, ОБОЗНАЧАЮЩИЕ ЧАСТИ ТЕЛА

HAIR

HAIR is beautiful when it is well cared for. It is an important part of everyone's personal

style, like their clothes and their voice. But hair represents more than that: for example,

rebelliousness, one's attitude of mind and even one's political opinions. Men with long

hair and women with very short hair are often rebelling against their traditional role or

against their society. People judge your character by the way your hair looks, so it is

much more than just a crowning glory.

Your hair can actually express feelings, according to idiomatic English. This is not as

strange as it sounds, because when someone feels fear, shock or excitement, the skin on

his head tightens. This makes the hair move. For this reason, when someone has a

terrifying experience - sees a ghost, for example - he might say that his hair stood on end.

It probably really did, too. However, someone with strong nerves might see the same

ghost without turning a hair.

Another emotional situation, anger or frustration, can make someone tear his hair - not a

very good idea if he wants to look nice for a date this evening. If he is really losing his

temper, a friend might tell him to keep calm and keep his hair on. He probably won't be

very pleased to be told that - in fact, it might even increase his fury.

Another nasty situation could arise if you insist on splitting hairs.

This means arguing

over small and trivial details - such as whether you should have mustard or mint-sauce

with your roast lamb for lunch.

You might avoid a dangerous situation - an accident, for example - by a hair's breadth,

and that, as you might imagine, is a very small distance.

If you let your hair down, you will behave in a very free and uninhibited way - talking

very frankly or dancing wildly at a party, perhaps.

Hair is a moody thing, it seems.

one's hair stands on end

— волосы дыбом встали



The parson’s hair fairly stood on end when he heard the evil tune raging through

the church.

without turning a hair

— глазом не моргнуть, и ухом не повести; не боясь;

не смущаясь; без устали; без передышки



He can play the piano for three hours without turning a hair.

tear one's hair

— рвать на себе волосы



Instead of tearing her hair, crying and fainting again, Rosella remembered that

she owed an example of firmness to her subjects.

keep one's hair on

— не горячиться; не выходить из себя;

не волноваться



You just keep your hair on and listen to me.

spilt hairs

— вдаваться в чрезмерные подробности (тонкости);

проявлять педантизм; спорить о мелочах



“Well, my dear sir, we won’t waste time in splitting hairs,” resumed the little man.

by a hair's breadth

— (хоть) немного; самую малость, чуть-чуть



Suppose anything you please, Miss Clack, it wouldn’t shake my belief in Rachel

by a hair’s breadth.

by (within) a hair's breadth of something

— едва; с трудом; на волосок от

ч-л; чуть-чуть не…



He was within a hair’s breadth of death.

let one's hair down

— вести себя непринуждённо (раскованно);

разоткровенничаться; излить душу



Those whose daily lives are surrounded by formality like to let their hair down

when they are on holiday.

EYE

EYE, the organ of sight or vision.

Eyes are not only useful for seeing. Other people's eyes also tell us what they are feeling

or thinking. People's eyes express all kinds of emotions: love, dislike, surprise, fear. For

example, someone who makes eyes at you likes you a lot and would like to attract you.

Someone who makes sheep's eyes at you thinks you are wonderful too, but isn't quite so

sure of winning you! Someone who is all eyes is paying a lot of attention to something;

their eyes are big with wonder or concentration. If you are keeping an eye on something -

for example, a mischievous child or a steak cooking under the grill - you won't be able to

pay much attention to anything else. You will probably even have to watch the television

out o f

the corner o f

your eye. You keep your eyes skinned when you have to watch very

carefully for something that might be difficult to see - when you are trying to find your

friend in a long cinema queue, for example. Talking of friends, they are often people with

whom you see eye to eye because you share many of the same opinions and tastes. That

is why you are going to the same film, after all.

When things are not going well in your life, you might find yourself u p

to your eyes in

difficulties. But it's no use crying your eyes out. That won't solve anything. The help of a

friend often solves problems in the twinkling o f

an eye, or in other words, very quickly.

One cure for worry is to have a delicious meal or go to a show. Something pleasant and

attractive is a sight for sore eyes.

It will help to cure your depression and, if you have

been u p

to your eyes in work, it will literally give your eyes a rest, too. If you're not so

lucky, and you don't go out for a rest, it is always possible to remember something you

enjoyed in the past. Some people have such good imagination, they can see it all again in

the mind's eye.

Even if you don't remember all these expressions, they will be an eye-opener to you

about idioms in the English language. Keep your eyes glued to the page and you will

probably know all before long!

make eyes at somebody

— делать (строить) глазки кому-либо;

стрелять глазами



Even sons of the country families made eyes at Tessa and danced with her

whenever they got a chance.

make (cast) sheep's eyes at somebody

— бросать влюблённые взгляды на к-л.;

смотреть на к-л. влюблёнными глазами



Miss Layton of course had been rather silly, but then she always was making

sheep's eyes at Mr. Baker all the evening.

be all eyes

— глядеть во все глаза



She was all eyes as I unwrapped the package.

keep / have / get an eye on smth./smb.

— глаз не спускать, следить, подмечать;

смотреть в оба



He would be sure to meet disaster if I didn't stay to keep an eye on him.

out of the corner of one's eye

— краем глаза; украдкой; исподтишка



Mrs. Tudor liked to sit guilty watching everybody out of the corner of her eye.

keep one's eyes skinned (open)

— не зевать; смотреть в оба; держать

ухо востро; быть настороже, начеку



Не added: “Keep your eyes skinned, and see if you can learn something.”

see eye to eye (with smb.)

— сходиться во взглядах; быть полностью

согласным; найти общий язык (с кем-либо)



We really see eye to eye on this thing, and that is important.

FOOT

FOOT - the part of the body on which a man or animal stands or walks. We think about

feet more than most people realize. They often represent strength and balance in our

idiomatic language, though they are also sometimes seen as clumsy, stupid things.

When a person has achieved independence, we often say he has learnt to stand on his

own two feet. This expression often applies to a child when he first goes to school or a

young person when he just got his first job. When someone recovers from a crisis or an

illness, we say she is back on her feet again.

However, a foot can represent a different kind of strength, too. When you firmly insist

upon something, or reject it, you are putting your foot down That should prevent any

further argument. People who often put their foot down sometimes have a lot of people

at their feet.

Their strength makes other people submissive. This expression originates

from times when people really did fall at the feet of Kings and rulers, usually to ask for

mercy. It is pleasant to be on a good footing with people as this means that you have a

pleasant and solid relationship with them. It is also good to have your feet on the ground,

for you are then a sensible, practical person with no illusions about life. However, it is

not so pleasant to put your foot in it.

People who do this usually have clumsy minds

rather than clumsy feet and they land themselves in trouble because they forget to think

before they speak or act. They tactlessly say the wrong thing at the wrong time. In fact, if

you don't want to put your foot in it, be careful before you say that someone has one foot

in the grave.

This means that you consider him very old, in fact half dead already, and

not many people will take that as a compliment. If you want to do something good, you

can always foot the bill.

This means you pay the bill - so let's hope you're on a good

footing with your bank manager.

Note:



A foot also means a measurement of 12 inches (30.48 centimeters).



A note at the bottom of a page, like this one, is called a footnote.

stand on one's own two feet (be on one's feet) — стоять на собственных ногах



But they'd be better if they began to look after themselves, stand on their own

feet.

be back on one's feet

— быть на ногах; оправиться от чего-либо



You look right as rain, Mr. Carmody; you'll be on your feet again in a week.

put (set) one's foot down

— занять твёрдую, решительную позицию; принять

твёрдое решение; положить конец; запретить



This has gone far enough, he's going to put his foot down.

at somebody's feet

— у чьих-либо ног; преклоняться перед кем-либо



Why don't I like Llewellyn? Why don't I sit at his feet? Am I jealous?

be on a good footing with somebody — находиться в хороших отношениях



How do you succeed in being on a good footing with everybody?

have one's feet on the ground

— стоять на реальной почве; обладать здравым

смыслом; быть практичным человеком



For all his oddity he has his feet firmly on the ground.

put one's foot in / into it

— влипнуть, сделать оплошность; попасть

впросак; опростоволоситься



Don't mind me, Mary... I'm always putting m y foot in it with m y clumsy tongue.

one foot in the grave

— одной ногой в могиле



The old fellow with one foot in the House of Lords and one in the grave, and no

difference between them.

foot the bill

— оплачивать счёт; взять расходы на себя;

отвечать за последствия; расплачиваться



His older cousin was footing the bills for his education and expected him to go to

work.

footnote

— сноска



All footnotes are given at the end of the book.

H A N D

HAND, the extremity of the arm below the wrist.

Hands are perhaps the most useful part of the body. We carry, write, cook, sew, drive and

gesture with our hands, to name only a few things. The hand is often seen as a symbol of

strength or benedictions. Two hands together mean agreement or trust: we shake hands to

show that we are ready to be on friendly terms. Because hands are so important, there are

dozens of idioms concerning them. Here are a few.

Expressions including the word "hand" often have something to do with capability and

responsibility. For example, we say that our hands are full when we are very busy. When

a job is fully under control or something is being prepared, we say that it is in

hand.

People who have a lot on their hands have a lot of things to deal with - either work or

problems to sort out. If they are lucky, a kind friend or helper might give them

a hand

with the work, or even take

some o f

it o f f

their hands altogether. Someone who is

always a great help in a working situation - a good assistant or secretary, for example - is

often referred to by the boss as his right hand. When an assistant is capable and reliable,

things can often be left in her hands entirely. This is especially true if she is an old hand

at the job - that is, if she has been doing it for a long time and has a lot of experience.

Someone who is not so experienced has to get his hand in before he can really start to do

anything well; in other words, he needs practice. Some lucky people find that certain

sports or skills come to hand very easily. If you really master a skill, sport or game, you

may find that you may often win hands down - or in other words, very easily.

People are very competitive. In any situation, there is usually someone who wants to set

the upper hand, or get everything under his control. On the other hand, if you are hand in

glove with someone, you are on such intimate and friendly terms that neither of you will

want to gain power over the other. A friend like that will never be offhand with you, for

an offhand person is rude and thoughtless. When something changes hands, it means that

it goes from one owner to another. When the new owner buys it - a car, for example - he

buys a second-hand car. If it was a bad car, the first owner might be glad to wash his

hands of it. Before long, you will be able to hear some of these idioms at first hand in

conversation with an English person.

have one’s hands full

— завертеться; не иметь свободной минуты;

иметь работы по горло



My stepmother had her hands full with the twins.

be in hand

— под контролем



I'll bring my complaint against the police in good time when my solicitor has the

matter in hand.

give smb. a hand

— протянуть руку помощи; помогать; принимать

участие в работе, содействовать



I’ll give you a hand with that trunk.

take something off one’s hands

— избавить кого-либо от кого / чего-либо



But she's efficient, you know, and will take all housekeeping worries o f f your

hands.

right hand

— правая рука кого-либо; ближайший помощник



Marion's been Den's right-hand man for a long time.

leave in smb’s hands

— оставить ч-л. на кого-то



The solution of this problem can be left in his hands.

an old hand

— опытный в чём-либо; знаток чего-либо;

бывалый человек; тёртый калач



... I am an old hand and know what I am talking about.

get one’s hand in smth.

— набить руку; освоиться с чем-либо



After playing no tennis for some years it took him time to get his hand in.

come to a hand

— прийти; быть полученным;

подвернуться под руку



She has been reading aimlessly anything that came to her hand.

win hands down

— выиграть с лёгкостью; легко, шутя

одержать победу



If they'd organized a short, sharp struggle, they'd have won hands down.

get the upper hand

— одержать победу, взять верх; одолеть;

быть хозяином положения; прибрать к рукам



Curiosity began to get the upper hand and I determined I should have one look

through the cabin window.

on the one hand

/ on the other hand

— с одной / с другой стороны



A conflict between their rationally held views on the one hand and their emotions

and desires on the other.

hand in glove with

— в тесной связи,

в тесном сотрудничестве



He works hand in glove with the writers and directors.

off-hand

— бесцеремонно; немедленно, тотчас



It was said in a rather off-hand manner.



His behavior is rather offhand.

change hands

— переходить из рук в руки; переходить

к другому владельцу



This horse has already changed hands.

second-hand

— подержанный, бывший в употреблении



I never buy second-hand things.

wash one’s hands of smth.

— умывать руки, снять с себя

ответственность за что-либо



He went back to the piano, with an air of washing his hands o f the whole affair.

at first hand

— из первых рук, непосредственно



It must be a great comfort to you to have all the news at first hand.

HEAD

HEAD, that part of the body which contains the mouth, some sense organs and the brain.

The dictionary seems to know where the head is. But are you sure you know where yours

is? For example, have you buried your hand in the sand? If you have, you are trying not

to see something unpleasant. On the other hand, is your head in the clouds? If so, you

probably won't see anything anyway. You are too busy with your own thoughts - until

you fall into practical difficulties. It is always important to keep your head above water,

even when life is difficult or you don't have enough money.

You're hard headed? Then you won't lose money or get yourself into trouble because

you're much too sensible to take risks that you don't understand. We hope you don't know

anybody who is o f f

his head. If you do, you should take him to the doctor immediately

because he is mad, dangerous or at least very over-excited.

When something comes to a head, there is usually a crisis. Then you need to keep your

head. But if you panic or lose your head, try to calm down quickly and you will probably

find it again.

Did you understand all the expressions in this article? Did you guess all their meanings

correctly and hit the nail on the head every time? If you couldn’t make head or tail of

them, let's try again.

bury one's head in the sand

— упорно отказываться признавать факты;

прятать голову в песок



The government was burying its head in the sand, refusing to face up to the

problems of homeless families.

be (have one's head) in the clouds — витать в облаках; быть не от мира сего



I'm so practical, a little too solid perhaps, while you are, and always will be, in the

clouds.

keep (hold) one's head above water — бороться с трудностями, с трудом сводить

концы с концами; бороться за существование



There are many who, I fancy, believe that my pockets are lined with bank-bills, but

you are all mistaken. If I can hold m y head above water it is all I can.

be hard headed

— взвешивать все обстоятельства



Mrs. Bess was hard headed there was no denying it, although why she married

Ted no one could imagine.

off one's head (out of one's head)

— сошедший с ума, безумный,

не в своём уме; в бреду



A hundred times he had heard the old man spoken of as a little o f f his head.

come to a head

— созреть; достичь высшей точки, апогея



It was after the election that the battle within the party against the nuclear strategy

of the Right Wing came to a head.

keep one's head

— сохранять спокойствие, присутствие духа;

владеть собой; не терять головы; быть начеку



I repeat there is absolutely no cause for alarm so long as we keep our heads.

lose one's head

— потерять спокойствие, выйти из себя; растеряться



Dr Macphail bent down - he was not a man to lose his head in an emergency - and

turned the body over.

hit the nail on the head

— 1) угадать; попасть в точку; попасть не в бровь,

а в глаз

2) поступить правильно



You've hit the right nail on the head, and are as safe here as you could be.

make head or tail of smth./ smb.

— понимать ч-л./к-л.; разбираться в ч-л./ к-л;



They gave an appearance of simplicity to problems, which I had not been able to

make head or tail o f .

MIXED

There are so many idioms in the English language concerning different parts of the body;

there are a few more of the commonest.

If you raise your eyebrows, you are showing surprise or disapproval. When your tongue

is in your cheek, you don't really mean what you say - you are teasing someone, even

though they may not know it. When something goes in one ear and out the other, you

didn't really listen to it and you certainly won't remember it. You will have to learn to pay

more attention. Are you down in the mouth? We hope not, as that would mean you were

feeling a bit miserable. Perhaps someone is causing you a lot of trouble and annoyance -

in other words, they're being a real pain in the neck. Or perhaps a friend has given you

the cold shoulder. This is certainly not a friendly thing to do, as it means he has ignored

you or refused to speak to you. Whatever your trouble, you will have to learn to face u p

to it as it's no use running away from difficulties. One way of getting over your troubles

is to do some hard work. If this is hard physical work, such as scrubbing a dirty kitchen

floor or bathing a large dog, you will need elbow grease or energy to do it. If you have a

finger in every pie, you are a person who loves power, and you therefore involve

yourself with everything that is going on around you. The expression is not usually used

as a compliment. In fact, people like this are often called busy-bodies. Have you ever had

butterflies in your stomach? Surely not. But wait a moment - if you have ever been

nervous, perhaps before an exam, an interview or a special date, then you have, even if

you didn't know. We hope you have never been without a leg to stand on. That would be

an unpleasant situation, because it would mean that you had nothing to defend yourself

with, no excuse for what you had done and no support from anyone else. Whatever your

difficulties, you should never get cold feet. It is easy to get cold feet just before doing

something difficult or demanding, like asking out a new girlfriend. That means you lose

confidence and give up before you have even tried - but you should never do that. You

never know - you might fall head over heels in love with each other. We hope you will

enjoy using these idioms. If you use them well, they will make you seem English from

head to toe.

raise one's eyebrows

— повести бровями



"This statement concerns you", Phillipa raised her eyebrows very slightly.

tongue in one’s cheek

— насмехаться; лицемерить; иронизировать,

говорить неискренне



There was no speaking with his tongue in his cheek. He spoke straight from the

heart.

go in one ear and out the other

— в одно ухо входит, из другого выходит



Kitty was always free with her money. Her father used to tell her off about that.

But it went in one ear and out the other.

be down in the mouth

— быть в унынии, в плохом настроении; пасть

духом; быть как в воду опущенным



Young Burkitt had seen him coming out of a third-rate restaurant, looking terribly

down in the mouth.

a pain in the neck

— надоедливый, раздражающий человек



You New Yorkers are a pain in the neck always thinking about money...



It is a well-established fact that I give her a pain in the neck.

give / show smb. the cold shoulder

— оказать к-л. холодный приём



She got to dislike me at last and to show me the cold shoulder.

face up to

— быть готовым к ч-л.; встретить мужественно



She always faces u p to difficulties.



Truth has to be faced u p to.

elbow grease

— терпение



Cleaning out this kitchen will take a lot o f elbow grease.

have a finger in every pie

— участвовать в каком-либо деле; быть

замешанным в каком-либо деле;

приложить руку к чему-либо



Не was not like this new man who wanted to have his finger in every pie.

busy-body

— назойливый, навязчивый человек, сующий нос

в чужие дела, сплетник



Mrs.Irving was not like a busy-body.

butterflies in one’s stomach

— нервная дрожь, мутит от страха



The situation was so dangerous that she had butterflies in her stomach.

without a leg to stand on

— без достаточной аргументации, не опираясь

на факты



Jerry's answering speech left his opponent without a leg to stand on.



This theory has not a leg to stand on.

get cold feet

— струсить, смалодушничать



"What were you all waiting for, cold feet?" he said.

fall head over heels in love

— влюбиться по уши



Не is not at all the sort of boy who falls head over heels in love and out of love

with every pretty girl he meets.

from head to toe / foot

— с головы до пят



Her lips suddenly felt stiff, her mouth dried up and she shook violently from head

to foot.