Teeth are important for many things, like eating, smiling, and talking. People often use special phrases called idioms to talk about teeth. Idioms are groups of words that have a meaning different from their usual one. They help make language more fun and interesting.
In this article, you will learn about idioms related to teeth. These sayings are common in the USA and help us express feelings and ideas in creative ways. Understanding these idioms will help you better enjoy stories, conversations, and everyday talk about teeth and smiles.
Idioms about Teeth
1. Bite off more than you can chew
Meaning: To try to do something that is too hard.
Samples: He bit off more than he could chew when he signed up for three sports. / She bit off more than she could chew by taking extra homework.
To Put it Another Way: I took on too much. / It was harder than I thought.
2. By the skin of your teeth
Meaning: To barely succeed or escape a problem.
Samples: I passed the test by the skin of my teeth. / They caught the bus by the skin of their teeth.
To Put it Another Way: I almost did not make it. / It was very close.
3. Show your teeth
Meaning: To show you are ready to fight or stand up for yourself.
Samples: The dog showed its teeth when a stranger came close. / She showed her teeth when someone was being mean.
To Put it Another Way: I got ready to defend myself. / I made it clear I would not back down.
4. Get something off your chest
Meaning: To tell someone about something that has been bothering you.
Samples: I told my teacher my problem to get it off my chest. / He got it off his chest by talking to his friend.
To Put it Another Way: I shared what was worrying me. / I felt better after talking.
5. Keep your chin up
Meaning: To stay positive and brave in hard times.
Samples: Even when he lost the game, he kept his chin up. / Mom told me to keep my chin up during the test.
To Put it Another Way: Don’t give up. / Stay strong and hopeful.
6. Cut your teeth
Meaning: To get your first experience in something.
Samples: She cut her teeth on small roles in school plays. / He cut his teeth learning to ride a bike.
To Put it Another Way: I learned the basics. / I got my first chance to practice.
7. Teeth are clenched
Meaning: To be very tense or angry but not showing it openly.
Samples: He walked away with his teeth clenched after the argument. / She kept her teeth clenched during the scary test.
To Put it Another Way: I was upset but stayed quiet. / I held in my feelings.
8. Sweet tooth
Meaning: A strong liking for sugary foods.
Samples: She has a sweet tooth and loves candy. / I have a sweet tooth, so I eat lots of cookies.
To Put it Another Way: I like sweets a lot. / I enjoy sugary treats.
9. Sink your teeth into something
Meaning: To start doing something with great energy or interest.
Samples: He sank his teeth into the new video game. / She sank her teeth into the big homework project.
To Put it Another Way: I worked hard on it. / I got really involved.
10. By tooth and nail
Meaning: To fight or work very hard to achieve something.
Samples: They fought by tooth and nail to win the championship. / She worked by tooth and nail to finish her science project.
To Put it Another Way: I tried very hard. / I didn’t give up.
11. Long in the tooth
Meaning: To be old or aging.
Samples: The old dog is getting long in the tooth. / Grandpa jokes he is long in the tooth.
To Put it Another Way: I am getting older. / It means being old.
12. Show your true colors (with teeth)
Meaning: To show who you really are, sometimes with anger or strength.
Samples: He showed his teeth when people doubted him. / The team showed their true colors and won.
To Put it Another Way: I showed what I’m really like. / I stood up for myself.
13. Like pulling teeth
Meaning: Something that is very hard or slow to do.
Samples: Getting him to do homework is like pulling teeth. / Finishing the book was like pulling teeth.
To Put it Another Way: It was very hard. / It took a long time.
14. Have a bone to pick (with someone’s teeth)
Meaning: To have a problem to talk about with someone.
Samples: I have a bone to pick with you about being late. / She had a bone to pick with her brother for breaking the toy.
To Put it Another Way: I want to talk about a problem. / I need to fix something.
15. Bite the bullet (teeth clenched)
Meaning: To do something difficult or unpleasant without complaining.
Samples: I bit the bullet and studied for the big test. / She bit the bullet and told the truth.
To Put it Another Way: I did it even though it was hard. / I didn’t give up.
16. Get your teeth into something
Meaning: To fully focus on a task with interest.
Samples: He got his teeth into learning guitar. / She got her teeth into the group project.
To Put it Another Way: I worked hard on it. / I really tried my best.
17. Cut to the quick (cutting deep like teeth)
Meaning: To hurt someone’s feelings very much.
Samples: His words cut me to the quick. / She was cut to the quick by the mean joke.
To Put it Another Way: I felt very hurt. / It made me sad.
18. Gnash your teeth
Meaning: To show anger or frustration by grinding your teeth.
Samples: He gnashed his teeth after losing the game. / She gnashed her teeth waiting in line.
To Put it Another Way: I was very angry. / I showed I was upset.
19. Kick in the teeth
Meaning: A very unpleasant surprise or disappointment.
Samples: Not making the team was a real kick in the teeth. / Losing the game felt like a kick in the teeth.
To Put it Another Way: It was very disappointing. / Something bad happened.
20. Sink your teeth into a problem
Meaning: To start working on a problem with energy.
Samples: The students sank their teeth into the math challenge. / He sank his teeth into fixing the computer.
To Put it Another Way: I worked hard on it. / I didn’t give up.
21. Bare your teeth
Meaning: To show anger or fight back.
Samples: The cat bared its teeth when scared. / He bared his teeth during the argument.
To Put it Another Way: I showed I was ready to defend myself. / I was angry.
22. Set your teeth on edge
Meaning: Something that is very annoying or unpleasant to hear or see.
Samples: The loud noise set my teeth on edge. / Her singing set my teeth on edge.
To Put it Another Way: It made me very annoyed. / I didn’t like it at all.
23. Tooth and nail battle
Meaning: A fight or competition with lots of effort and energy.
Samples: The two teams had a tooth and nail battle for first place. / They fought tooth and nail to win the prize.
To Put it Another Way: They fought very hard. / It was a tough fight.
24. A sweet tooth
Meaning: Loving sweet foods a lot.
Samples: She has a sweet tooth and always eats cake. / I have a sweet tooth for chocolate.
To Put it Another Way: I really like sweets. / I enjoy candy and treats.
25. On your last teeth
Meaning: Being very tired or near the end of your strength.
Samples: After running, I was on my last teeth. / She worked on the project on her last teeth.
To Put it Another Way: I was very tired. / I had almost no energy left.
26. Teeth chattering
Meaning: Shivering from cold or fear.
Samples: My teeth were chattering in the cold wind. / She was so scared her teeth were chattering.
To Put it Another Way: I was shaking. / I was very cold or scared.
27. Take it on the teeth
Meaning: To accept a hard situation without giving up.
Samples: He took the loss on the teeth and tried again. / She took the criticism on the teeth and improved.
To Put it Another Way: I accepted the hard part. / I kept going.
28. Sink your teeth into a book
Meaning: To read a book with great interest.
Samples: I sank my teeth into a new mystery book. / She sank her teeth into the novel and read all night.
To Put it Another Way: I read it eagerly. / I enjoyed the book a lot.
29. Have a toothache
Meaning: Pain in a tooth.
Samples: I had a toothache after eating candy. / She went to the dentist because of a toothache.
To Put it Another Way: My tooth hurt. / I had pain in my mouth.
30. A tooth for a tooth
Meaning: To get revenge or pay back in the same way.
Samples: He said he would give a tooth for a tooth after the prank. / She wanted to get a tooth for a tooth when her brother teased her.
To Put it Another Way: I want to pay back the same way. / I want to get even.
Find the Topics: Idioms about Teeth
Last Friday, the 5th-grade class had a fun party to celebrate the end of the school year. Mia was excited but nervous because she bit off more than she could chew by agreeing to help with the decorations and the snacks. She was worried she wouldn’t finish on time.
During the party, Mia’s friend Jack was trying to keep his chin up even though he was tired. He had been working tooth and nail all week on his science project. When the music started, Mia sank her teeth into the dance floor and showed her teeth with a big smile.
At one point, Mia spilled punch by accident, and her teacher said, “Don’t worry, just get it off your chest and keep going.” Mia felt better after she told the teacher what happened. Later, Jack said he was on his last teeth but didn’t want to stop having fun.
After the party, Mia’s mom joked that Mia had a sweet tooth because she ate all the cookies. Mia laughed and said, “I guess I do! But I’m glad I kept my chin up and finished everything.”
Your Task:
Underline or list all 8 idioms about teeth you found in the story.
Answer Key
- Bite off more than you can chew
- Keep your chin up
- Tooth and nail
- Sink your teeth into
- Show your teeth
- Get it off your chest
- On your last teeth
- Sweet tooth
Conclusion
Idioms about teeth help us talk about feelings and actions in fun and clear ways. They show how people handle challenges, work hard, and enjoy life. Learning these sayings makes it easier to understand stories and everyday talk. Whether you bite off more than you can chew or keep your chin up, these idioms help us explain what we feel and do with simple words.
