Idioms — Set 2

Set 2 of Idioms covers 5 idioms: get something off your chest, be dead on your feet, wear your heart on your sleeve, have nerves of steel, a lump in your throat. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. get something off your chest · idiom/ɡɛt ˈsʌmθɪŋ ɔf jʊr tʃɛst/

   to finally tell someone something that has been worrying you and feel better as a result

   It was such a huge relief for mom when she finally said how she really felt and got it off her chest.

   Origin: Dates to the 1500s, from the idea of the chest as the seat of feelings — releasing emotion lightens it.

2. be dead on your feet · idiom/bi dɛd ɑn jʊr fit/

   extremely tired

   By the time we finished unpacking, it was almost midnight and we were dead on our feet.

   Origin: From the 1800s, comparing extreme exhaustion to death while still being upright and moving.

3. wear your heart on your sleeve · idiom/wɛr jʊr hɑrt ɔn jʊr sliv/

   to show your feelings openly

   Natalie was a a kind and loving soul who truly wore her heart on her sleeve.

   Origin: From medieval times — knights wore a lady's ribbon on their sleeve to publicly show affection.

4. have nerves of steel · idiom/hæv nɜrvz əv stil/

   to have the ability to keep calm even in difficult conditions

   In this industry, you have to have nerves of steel to be able to withstand such emotional distress.

   Origin: A 19th-century image equating strong nerves to industrial steel, emphasizing unshakeable calm under stress.

5. a lump in your throat · idiom/ə lʌmp ɪn jʊr θroʊt/

   a tight feeling you get in your throat when you are about to cry

   I had a lump in my throat and tears in my eye for a few minutes. Then, I lost control of my emotions and cried uncontrollably.

   Origin: Describes the physical sensation of suppressed tears or strong emotion tightening the throat muscles.