English uses body parts and animals to create some of its most vivid expressions. These idioms appear in daily conversation, storytelling, workplace communication, and casual small talk. Because they use such concrete images — a hand, an eye, a dog, a horse — they are often easier to remember than more abstract idioms.
This article covers 20 body and animal idioms from the English language. Each entry includes a clear explanation and a short example sentence. To explore all 200+ English idioms organized by category, see the complete English Idioms: Complete Guide with 200+ Examples.
Body-Related Idioms in English
These 10 idioms use body parts — eyes, hands, shoulders, chest, ears — to express ideas about attention, help, feelings, and effort.
126. "Keep an eye on" — This expression means to watch something or someone carefully. Example: "Keep an eye on the time — we leave at three."
127. "Give someone a hand" — This expression means to help someone. Example: "Can you give me a hand with these boxes?"
128. "Cold shoulder" — This expression means to treat someone in an unfriendly or dismissive way. Example: "She gave me the cold shoulder after our argument."
129. "Get something off your chest" — This expression means to talk about something that has been bothering you. Example: "I need to get something off my chest about what happened."
130. "Turn a blind eye" — This expression means to deliberately ignore something you know is happening. Example: "The manager turned a blind eye to the late arrivals."
131. "Put your best foot forward" — This expression means to try to make the best possible impression. Example: "Put your best foot forward in your interview."
132. "Shoulder to cry on" — This expression means a person who listens to your problems and offers support. Example: "She's always been a shoulder to cry on."
133. "Elbow grease" — This expression means hard physical effort. Example: "This kitchen needs some elbow grease to get clean."
134. "Have a sweet tooth" — This expression means to enjoy sweet foods very much. Example: "I have a sweet tooth — I can't resist chocolate."
135. "All ears" — This expression means fully listening and paying attention. Example: "Tell me what happened — I'm all ears."
Animal Idioms in English
These 10 idioms use animals — dogs, elephants, birds, horses, fish — to describe social situations, behavior, and common experiences.
136. "Let sleeping dogs lie" — This expression means do not bring up an old problem that has settled down. Example: "I wouldn't mention the argument again — let sleeping dogs lie."
137. "The elephant in the room" — This expression means an obvious problem that everyone knows about but nobody wants to discuss. Example: "Budget cuts are the elephant in the room."
138. "Kill two birds with one stone" — This expression means to accomplish 2 things with a single action. Example: "By biking to work, I kill two birds with one stone — exercise and commuting."
139. "Hold your horses" — This expression means to wait or be patient. Example: "Hold your horses — we're not ready to go yet."
140. "Straight from the horse's mouth" — This expression means information that comes directly from the original source. Example: "I heard it straight from the horse's mouth — the boss confirmed it."
141. "Monkey see, monkey do" — This expression means copying someone's actions without thinking about them. Example: "Kids are monkey see, monkey do — be careful what you do in front of them."
142. "Busy as a bee" — This expression means very busy. Example: "She's been busy as a bee all morning."
143. "Fish out of water" — This expression means feeling uncomfortable or out of place in an unfamiliar situation. Example: "I felt like a fish out of water at the formal dinner."
144. "The black sheep" — This expression refers to the person in a group or family who is different from everyone else, often in a negative way. Example: "He's the black sheep of the family."
145. "Crocodile tears" — This expression means fake tears or insincere sadness. Example: "Don't believe her crocodile tears."
How Real-Time Feedback Helps You Use These Idioms Correctly
Body and animal idioms are common, but they are also easy to misuse. A learner who says "give me an eye on this" instead of "keep an eye on this" will confuse a native speaker. The difference is small — but it matters.
At Columbia West College (CWC) in Los Angeles, Teaching Assistants (TAs) are in the classroom specifically to catch errors like these in real time. When a student uses a body or animal idiom incorrectly, the TA steps in immediately. The TA models the correct form, has the student repeat it, and — when relevant — suggests a more natural alternative or explains why the wrong version does not work. CWC students receive 9 times more individual corrections per class than students in a typical ESL program. That is not just a number. Over a week of daily 80-minute Speaking classes, those corrections add up. Each one is a small course correction that keeps a student on the path to natural, fluent English — not "close enough" English.
That philosophy of direct, respectful feedback is built into CWC's culture. Students describe the classroom environment as supportive — a place where making a mistake is part of the learning process, not something to be embarrassed about. When you are "all ears" and your teacher is "keeping an eye on" your progress, real improvement happens faster.
Get real-time corrections from native English-speaking TAs every day. CWC's ESS program gives you 9 times more individual feedback than a typical ESL class. When you misuse a body idiom or animal expression, CWC's TAs catch it, correct it, and help you internalize the right form. Learn more about CWC's ESS program.
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FAQ
Are body idioms used more in American or British English?
Most body idioms in this article are common to both American and British English. Expressions like "keep an eye on," "give someone a hand," and "get something off your chest" are understood and used on both sides of the Atlantic. A few idioms have regional frequency differences, but none of the 10 body idioms listed here are unique to one dialect. If you are studying in the United States, all of these expressions are safe to use in everyday conversation.
How can I practice using animal idioms without making mistakes?
The best approach is to hear and use animal idioms in context many times before relying on them independently. Start by noticing when native speakers use expressions like "let sleeping dogs lie" or "fish out of water" in movies, podcasts, or real conversations. Write down the full sentence, not just the idiom. Then practice using it in a low-stakes setting — with a study partner, a language exchange partner, or in a structured speaking class where a teacher can give you immediate feedback if you misuse the expression.
Learn English in an environment built on Excellence and Empathy. At CWC, correction is not criticism — it is support. TAs provide immediate, individual feedback in every Speaking class, creating a safe environment where students from over 20 countries practice together without fear of embarrassment. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner, CWC's approach meets you where you are and helps you grow. Contact CWC to start your English journey.
