Phrases and Sayings Related to Body Language
BEADY LITTLE EYES:
The pupils constrict when we are lying or being deceitful.
SHIFTY EYES:
The eyes avert the gaze of someone they're lying to, so shifting around looking at anything but the receiver of the lie.
SPARKLE IN THE EYES:
The pupils dilate when we are seeing something we like, so allowing more light to be reflected back.
OPENING UP TO YOU:A physically open gesture, uncrossed arms and legs allowing more of you to be emotionally vulnerable.
BITE YOUR LIP/TONGUE, LYING THROUGH YOUR TEETH, COVERING UP:
To stop you saying something inappropriate or lying you might bite your lip or cover your mouth as you tell the lie.
GUT FEELING, STOMACH CHURNING: A physical feeling in the stomach indicating a dislike or uncertainty.
CHIN UP, OUT, SHOULDERS BACK:
Often said to people feeling a bit down, by raising the chin up and out with the shoulders back it makes us feel more positive.
FEET ON THE GROUND, STAND ON OWN TWO FEET:
Refers back to the ancient Chinese custom of female foot binding, as those who had this done were usually Royalty and therefore could not or would not stand on their own two feet without causing pain.
STAND OFFISH:
When people stand a just little to far away from us for comfort.
KEEP YOUR DISTANCE:
When you don't want to someone get to close to you.
PUSHY: Someone who invades the personal space of others would often be refered to as too pushy.
CLOSE, INTIMATE FRIENDS:
Allow one another into personal or intimate spacial zones.
PAIN IN THE NECK:
A physical gesture when something is not to our liking.
GET A GRIP ON YOURSELF:
We usually touch ourselves in times of stress
RULE OF THUMB:
In the 1400's a law was set forth in England that a man was allowed to beat his wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb. Hence we have the rule of thumb.
UNDER THE THUMB:
Controlled by another person, referring back to ancient Rome when the thumb turned downwards would almost certainly indicate death.
THUMBS UP:
Generally a form of OK, Good or Yes but can mean all sorts of other things including insults
MAKES MY SKIN CREEP, CRAWL, GETS UNDER MY SKIN:
A physical sensation encountered when you are not comfortable in a particular persons company, conversation topic or tone. This is an expression mainly used by women, as women have been proven to be more sensitive to touch and are more aware of sensations than their male counterparts.
Here is a small sample of the hundreds, if not thousands of Sayings & Phrases that have a reference to the body or our physiology in them in some way or other.
If you have any more, please feel free to send them to us and we'll pop them up on this section.
HANDS:
The devil finds work for idle hands - Something said when people have no work or activity they're more likely to do things they should.
You're in good hands - Often used when referring to care or supervision meaning you will be looked after.
Time on your hands - An expression meaning you have time to spare.
Whole world in your hands - That you have plenty of opportunities.
Wash my hands of the matter - When someone no longer wants anything to do with a particular matter.
Leave it in your hands - Passing responsibility to you.
All hands on deck - Everyone needs to help, work hard.
All hands to the pump - As above.
Hands on approach - The practical approach to things.
That guy's all handsy - A very touchy, feely, groping man.
Talk to the hand 'coz the face ain't listening - Used when you put your hand up to stop someone talking to you.
FACE:
Face the music - Dealing with the consequences of one's actions.
A face that launched a thousand ships.
Cut your nose off to spite your face - When someone does something just to be awkward that makes a situation worse for them.
About face - A complete U-turn on an issue or physically truning around.
In your face - When someone is extremely close and invades your persoanl space.
Mondays child is of fair face - From the an old fortune telling nursery rhyme. (Click here for the full version)
Egg on your face - Finding yourself in an embarrassing situation.
Saving face - Doing something to avoid embarrassment.
Losing face - An embarrassing situation.
EYES:
Apple of my eye - Children and loves ones are often referred to as this.
Twinkle in her/his eyes - Refers to the pupil dilation when someone is seen as attracted to by another person.
In the mind's eye - When you use your imagination to visualise pictures or memories.
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth - Reference to a passage in the Holy Bible. (Click here for full version)
Turn a blind eye - To deliberately not see or to make out you did not see something happening.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder - Beauty is decided by an individuals own personal tastes.
Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder - A reference to the above but under the influence of alcohol things may appear more attractive than they would normally !!!
Beware of a man with a gleam in his eye - Often said by women referring to not trusting a man with dilated pupils, he's attracted to you.
One in the eye - When someone gets the better or most the advantageous position.
Seeing eye to eye - Equal understanding of a situation.
A sight for sore eyes - Seeing something beautiful when under pressure or stress.
Brings tears to my eyes - A situation that makes the eyes prick with tears.
Snake Eyes - Usually referring to very small pupils or dark brown eyes.
Beady little eyes - As above.
Pulled the wool over his eyes - A term meaning someone has been deceived.
Eyes bigger than the belly/stomach - When more food than you can possibly eat has been you ordered .
FINGERS:
All fingers and thumbs - Someone who is clumsy with their hands.
Cross your fingers - Often said for luck.
Two fingers up to you - Used by the British as an insult to the French at the battle of Agincourt.
Get your fingers burned - Doing something that is likely to lead to harm.
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