Idioms — Set 17

Set 17 of Idioms covers 5 idioms: put a brave face on, no hard feelings, be on pins and needles, take something to heart, have a gut feeling. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. put a brave face on · idiom/pʊt ə breɪv feɪs ɔn/

   to try to look happy, calm or brave when you are not

   None of them could ever know the pain I felt every time I failed, but I still had to put a brave face on, and never let them know I was slowly dying inside.

   Origin: From the 1700s — describes wearing a deliberate expression of courage like a mask over real distress.

2. no hard feelings · idiom/noʊ hɑrd ˈfilɪŋz/

   no offence; no anger

   Sarah was very upset that she had to take Brian off the project, but he told her that there were no hard feelings.

   Origin: Late 19th-century American expression — 'hard feelings' refers to deep, lingering resentment after an offense.

3. be on pins and needles · idiom/ɔn pɪnz ənd ˈnidlz/

   extremely nervous or anxious

   The season finale was so good and full of suspense that I was on pins and needles till the end of it!

   Origin: Dates to the 1800s — captures the prickling, restless sensation of severe anxiety throughout the body.

4. take something to heart · idiom/teɪk ˈsʌmθɪŋ tu hɑrt/

   to be affected deeply by something; to get hurt

   He's a real perfectionist and he takes it to heart if someone criticizes his work, but he's learning to not take it personally.

   Origin: Used since the 1500s — based on the heart as the place where emotional reactions are stored deeply.

5. have a gut feeling · idiom/hæv ə ɡʌt ˈfilɪŋ/

   a strong sense about a situation despite not knowing why you have it

   Studies have shown that a majority of women who have a gut feeling that their partner is cheating turn out to be right.

   Origin: A 20th-century phrase reflecting the old belief that the gut, not just the brain, holds instinctive knowledge.