List of human body parts idioms beginning with S and meanings

How the idioms are listed

There are 3 parts to each idioms the first part is what the idiom is, then an explanation of what it means and the last part is an example of how to use it in a sentence.

How do I use the list of human body parts idioms A to Z?

To use the list of idioms click on each letter of the alphabet to get the list of the human body parts idioms for that letter.

[ A ] [ B ] [ C ] [ D ] [ E ] [ F ] [ G ] [ H ] [ I ] [ J ] [ K ] [ L ] [ M ] [ N ] [ O ] [ P ] [ Q ] [ R ] [ S ] [ T ] [ U ] [ V ] [ W ] [ X ] [ Y ] [ Z ]

Human body parts idioms beginning with S

save one`s breath

- to keep silent because talking will do no good

"You can save your breath and not bother talking to him. He never listens to anyone."

save (someone`s) neck/skin

- to save someone from danger or trouble or embarrassment

The worker tried to save his own neck without thinking about other people.

say (something) under one's breath

- to say something so softly that nobody can hear it

The clerk in the store said something under her breath about the customer.

scratch (someone`s) back

- to do someone a favor in the hope that they will do something for you

If you scratch the supervisor's back he will help you when you need help.

shoot from the hip

- to speak directly and frankly, to fire a gun that is held at one's side and against one's hip

Our manager always shoots from the hip and everyone likes her because of that.

a shoulder to cry on

- someone to whom you can tell your problems to and then ask for sympathy and advice

I gave my friend a shoulder to cry on when I met him at the coffee shop.

shoulder to shoulder

- side by side, with a shared purpose

The children were standing shoulder to shoulder during the exercise class.

shove (something) down (someone`s) throat

- to force someone to do or agree to something that they do not want or like

The workers were angry because the company tried to shove the new work rules down their throats.

skeleton in (someone's) closet

- a hidden and shocking secret

The politician had a skeleton in his closet that he did not want anyone to know about.

skin and bones

- a person or animal that is very thin or skinny

The dog was skin and bones after his owner stopped giving him food.

skin-deep

- on the surface only, not having any deep or honest meaning

I believe that the speaker's interest in the environment is only skin-deep.

slit one`s (own) throat

- to experience certain failure, to do something that will cause problems now or in the future

The man is slitting his own throat to come to work late every day.

smell blood

- to sense an opponent's weakness or vulnerability

The reporters could smell blood when they began to investigate the politicians and the scandal.

soaked to the skin

- one's clothing is wet right through to the skin

I was soaked to the skin after walking in the rain.

split one's sides (with laughter)

- to laugh so hard that one's sides almost split

I split my sides with laughter when I heard the story about my friend.

stab (someone) in the back

- to betray someone

My friend stabbed me in the back although I helped him find a job.

stick in (someone's) throat/craw

- an idea or situation that is difficult for you to accept and irritates or displeases you

The customer's attitude sticks in my throat and I am happy to see him leave.

stick one`s neck out (for someone or something)

- to do something dangerous or risky for someone

My friend will never stick his neck out to help other people.

stick to one's ribs

- to last a long time and fill one up (used for food)

The rice and beans stuck to my ribs and I was not hungry for a long time.

straight from the shoulder

- an open and honest way of speaking

The manager was speaking straight from the shoulder when he told the workers about the factory closing.

strike a raw nerve

- to upset someone by talking about a subject that upsets or embarrasses him or her

The discussion about death struck a raw nerve in the woman.

sweat blood

- to be very anxious and tense about something

I began to sweat blood when I heard that some of our staff may be transferred to another city.

sweat it out

- to wait patiently until something bad or unpleasant ends

We had to sweat it out with no food while our car was being repaired.

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Idioms human body English lesson

A to Z Idioms - list English phrases

Small List of idioms A - Z English phrases

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