I don’t know why, but I’ll go with my gut and choose this option.
word origin — A 20th-century phrase reflecting the old belief that the gut, not just the brain, holds instinctive knowledge.
go with your gut, test the waters, have a change of heart, hold all the cards, bark up the wrong tree: meanings and examples
Learn these 5 idioms from Idioms set 55. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.
go with your gut · idiom/ɡoʊ wɪð jʊr ɡʌt/
to trust your instincts when making a decision
I don’t know why, but I’ll go with my gut and choose this option.
Origin: A 20th-century phrase reflecting the old belief that the gut, not just the brain, holds instinctive knowledge.
test the waters · idiom/tɛst ðə ˈwɔɾɚz/
to test an idea or situation before fully committing
Before launching the product, they tested the waters with a small group of customers.
Origin: An ancient image — swimmers dipped a toe into water first to feel the temperature before fully diving in.
have a change of heart · idiom/hæv ə tʃeɪndʒ əv hɑrt/
to change your opinion or feelings about something
She had a change of heart and decided to stay in the relationship.
Origin: From the 1800s — based on the ancient belief that the heart, not the mind, was the seat of personal feelings.
hold all the cards · idiom/hoʊld ɔl ðə kɑrdz/
to be in complete control of a situation
He holds all the cards in the negotiation, so we need to be careful.
Origin: From card games — holding all the cards means you control the game's outcome and decisions completely.
bark up the wrong tree · idiom/bɑrk ʌp ðə rɔŋ tri/
to blame or accuse the wrong person or thing
If you think I stole your phone, you’re barking up the wrong tree.
Origin: From American hunting in the 1800s — dogs would bark at the wrong tree, having lost the trail of their prey.