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Drag your feet
The idiom drag your feet means to do something slowly on purpose because you don't want to do it.The phrase comes from the picture of walking while your feet scrape along the ground instead of lifting properly. That type of walking slows everything down.
The committee kept dragging its feet on the decision.
Forget your head if it wasn't screwed on
The idiom "Forget your head if it wasn't screwed on" (or "would lose my head if it wasn't attached", or similar variations) is a funny way of saying someone is extremely forgetful, absent-minded or loses things a lot, suggesting that if their head wasn't attached to their body they'd forget that too.You lost your keys again? You'd lose your head if it wasnt screwed on!
Getting long in the tooth
To be getting long in the tooth means getting old, especially when talking about a person or an animal. It can also be used to talk about machines or systems that are old and may be past their best years. The expression comes from the way a horse's teeth change as it ages. As the gums slowly recede, more of the teeth become visible, making them look longer and showing that the horse is older.That old farm truck is getting a bit long in the tooth.
Give you the cold shoulder
To give someone the cold shoulder means deliberately ignoring a person or treating them in an unfriendly way.The phrase appeared in English in the early 1800s. One explanation links it to the idea of offering a cold piece of meat instead of a warm meal to an unwelcome guest. It eventually came to mean quiet rejection.
After the argument, she gave him the cold shoulder all evening.
Head in the clouds
To have your head in the clouds means you are distracted by thinking about dreams or ideas instead of paying attention to what is happening around you.The expression comes from the image of a person's head floating high in the clouds, far above everyday life. It suggests someone whose thoughts are far away from practical matters.
He was walking down the street with his head in the clouds and almost missed his bus.
Head over heels
Head over heels means to be completely and deeply in love with someone. It can also describe being very excited or enthusiastic about something.The phrase comes from an older expression, heels over head, which described turning upside down or doing a somersault. Over time the wording changed, and the idea of being flipped upside down became a metaphor for strong emotions.
He fell head over heels for her after their first date.
Heart of gold
Someone with a heart of gold is very kind, generous, and caring toward others. It is used to describe people who consistently show compassion and goodwill.The phrase comes from the long tradition of using gold as a symbol of great value and purity. By comparing a person's heart to gold, the expression suggests that their character is especially good and sincere.
She always helps her neighbors without being asked, and everyone says she has a heart of gold.
Hold your tongue
The phrase hold your tongue means choosing not to speak even though you want to say something.The phrase appeared in English many centuries ago. The image suggests physically keeping the tongue still so words do not come out.
He wanted to argue but decided to hold his tongue.
Hot on the heels
To be hot on the heels of someone means you are following very closely behind them.The phrase comes from the image of a runner close enough to almost step on the heels of the person ahead.
The second runner was hot on the heels of the leader as they approached the finish line.
Keep an eye on
To keep an eye on something means to watch it carefully or check on it to make sure nothing goes wrong. It often involves looking after something or someone for a short time.The phrase comes from the simple idea of using your eyes to observe something closely. Over time it became a common way to describe monitoring or supervising.
Could you keep an eye on the dog while I run to the store?