Teeth Idioms

Teeth Idioms

We all know the importance of a healthy smile. But did you know that teeth can also add some bite (pun intended!) to your conversations? The English language boasts a surprising number of idioms that use teeth as metaphors, offering a unique way to express ourselves. So, brush up on your vocabulary (get it?) and get ready to explore the fascinating world of teeth idioms!

List of Teeth Idioms

Teeth Idioms with Meaning and Examples

Bite the bullet

• Meaning: To endure a painful or difficult situation with courage and determination.
• Example: Despite the daunting challenges, she decided to bite the bullet and pursue her dream of starting her own business.

Bared teeth

• Meaning: Displaying one’s teeth as a sign of aggression or hostility.
• Example: When the dog bared its teeth, it was clear that it felt threatened and was ready to defend itself.

To the teeth

• Meaning: Fully equipped or armed.
• Example: The soldiers were prepared to the teeth for the upcoming battle, with the latest weapons and armor.

Long in the tooth

• Meaning: Old or aging.
• Example: Although he was long in the tooth, he remained active and engaged in various activities.

Like pulling teeth

• Meaning: Something very difficult or requiring great effort to accomplish.
• Example: Getting information out of him was like pulling teeth; he was extremely reluctant to share anything.

Gnash one’s teeth

• Meaning: To grind or clench one’s teeth together, often as a sign of anger or frustration.
• Example: He gnashed his teeth in frustration when he realized he had missed the last train home.

By the skin of one’s teeth

• Meaning: Narrowly; by a very small margin.
• Example: He managed to pass the exam by the skin of his teeth, even though he hadn’t studied much.

Set one’s teeth on edge

• Meaning: To cause irritation or discomfort.
• Example: The screeching sound of the chalk on the blackboard set everyone’s teeth on edge.

Cut one’s teeth on something

• Meaning: To gain initial experience or skill in a particular area.
• Example: She cut her teeth on freelance writing assignments before landing a full-time job at the magazine.

Teeth-gritting

• Meaning: Showing determination or resolve in the face of difficulty or adversity.
• Example: `With teeth-gritting determination, she pushed through the final miles of the marathon.

Bite off more than you can chew

• Meaning: To take on more responsibility or work than one can handle.
• Example: I think I bit off more than I can chew by agreeing to manage both projects simultaneously.

Sink one’s teeth into something

• Meaning: To become deeply involved in or enthusiastic about something.
• Example: After years of studying, she was finally able to sink her teeth into her dream career.

Tooth and nail

• Meaning: With great determination and effort.
• Example: They fought tooth and nail to protect their land from being developed into a shopping mall.

Lie through one’s teeth

• Meaning: To tell a blatant lie without feeling guilty.
• Example: He lied through his teeth about his involvement in the prank, even though there was evidence against him.

Show one’s teeth

• Meaning: To demonstrate one’s strength or ability to defend oneself.
• Example: The team showed their teeth in the final minutes of the game, scoring two quick goals to win.

Buck-toothed

• Meaning: Having prominent or protruding front teeth.
• Example: The cartoon character was drawn with buck teeth to emphasize his quirky personality.

Give someone a taste of their own medicine

• Meaning: To treat someone the same way they have treated others, especially if it’s negative.
• Example: After years of teasing others, he finally got a taste of his own medicine when he became the target of jokes.

Flash one’s pearly whites

• Meaning: To smile broadly, especially to show off one’s white teeth.
• Example: The politician flashed his pearly whites for the cameras as he greeted the crowd.

Have a sweet tooth

• Meaning: To have a strong liking for sweet foods.
• Example: She has such a sweet tooth that she always orders dessert after every meal.

In the teeth of something

• Meaning: In the face of something difficult or challenging.
• Example: Despite the storm, they sailed their boat in the teeth of the wind to reach the shore.

Knuckle under the teeth

• Meaning: To submit to someone’s authority or demands.
• Example: He refused to knuckle under the boss’s unreasonable demands and stood up for his rights.

Like a dog with a bone

• Meaning: Persistent and unwilling to let go of something.
• Example: Once she gets an idea in her head, she’s like a dog with a bone, unwilling to give up until she achieves her goal.

A kick in the teeth

• Meaning: A disappointment or setback, especially when it comes unexpectedly.
• Example: Losing the championship game was a real kick in the teeth for the team after months of hard work.

To lose one’s teeth

• Meaning: To become less effective or powerful.
• Example: The once-popular restaurant began to lose its teeth when new competitors opened nearby.

Tooth fairy

• Meaning: A mythical figure who is said to exchange children’s lost teeth for money.
• Example: When her daughter lost her first tooth, she played the role of the tooth fairy, leaving a coin under her pillow.

Toothless

• Meaning: Lacking strength or effectiveness.
• Example: The new regulations turned out to be toothless, as many companies found ways to bypass them.

To put teeth into something

• Meaning: To make something more forceful or effective.
• Example: The government decided to put teeth into the new law by imposing hefty fines on violators.

Get one’s teeth into something

• Meaning: To become deeply involved in or committed to something.
• Example: After years of working mundane jobs, she finally got her teeth into a challenging project that reignited her passion for work.

Grin and bear it

• Meaning: To endure a difficult or unpleasant situation with a smile.
• Example: Despite feeling nervous, she tried to grin and bear it during the job interview.

Jump down someone’s throat

• Meaning: To criticize or confront someone angrily.
• Example: He didn’t appreciate her jumping down his throat every time he made a mistake.

To sink one’s teeth into something

• Meaning: To become deeply involved in or enthusiastic about something.
• Example: After years of studying, she was finally able to sink her teeth into her dream career.

Toothpaste grin

• Meaning: A smile that appears insincere or forced.
• Example: He greeted them with a toothpaste grin, but they could tell he was unhappy.

To have a sweet tooth

• Meaning: To have a strong liking for sweet foods.
• Example: She has such a sweet tooth that she always orders dessert after every meal.

To get one’s teeth into something

• Meaning: To become deeply involved in or committed to something.
• Example: After years of working mundane jobs, she finally got her teeth into a challenging project that reignited her passion for work.

Tooth and claw

• Meaning: Using all available resources or methods, especially to fight or compete fiercely.
• Example: They fought tooth and claw for control of the company, using every strategy at their disposal.

To grit one’s teeth

• Meaning: To endure a difficult or painful situation with determination.
• Example: Despite the pain, he gritted his teeth and continued running the marathon.

To kick in the teeth

• Meaning: A disappointment or setback, especially when it comes unexpectedly.
• Example: Losing the championship game was a real kick in the teeth for the team after months of hard work.

To know something like the back of one’s hand

• Meaning: To be very familiar with something.
• Example: After working at the factory for twenty years, he knew the assembly line like the back of his hand.

To lie through one’s teeth

• Meaning: To tell a blatant lie without feeling guilty.
• Example: He lied through his teeth about his involvement in the prank, even though there was evidence against him.

To pull someone’s teeth

• Meaning: To extract information from someone unwillingly.
• Example: The detective tried to pull the suspect’s teeth to get him to confess to the crime.

To set one’s teeth on edge

• Meaning: To cause irritation or discomfort.
• Example: The screeching sound of the chalk on the blackboard set everyone’s teeth on edge.

To tooth out

• Meaning: To remove a tooth or teeth.
• Example: The dentist had to tooth out the decayed molar to relieve the patient’s pain.

To tooth something out

• Meaning: To remove something by pulling or extracting it.
• Example: He used pliers to tooth the nail out of the wall.

Tooth for a tooth

• Meaning: The principle of exact retaliation, often associated with revenge.
• Example: Some people believe in the concept of a tooth for a tooth, while others advocate forgiveness.

To throw one’s teeth down one’s throat

• Meaning: To speak boldly or arrogantly.
• Example: He had the audacity to throw his teeth down his boss’s throat during the meeting.

Toothless grin

• Meaning: A smile that lacks sincerity or conviction.
• Example: Despite his apologies, she could see through his toothless grin and knew he wasn’t truly sorry.

Have a sharp tongue

• Meaning: To speak in a critical or sarcastic manner.
• Example: She has a sharp tongue, always quick to point out flaws in others’ arguments.

Grit your teeth

• Meaning: To brace yourself mentally or physically for something difficult or unpleasant.
• Example: Despite the pain, she gritted her teeth and finished the race.

Set your teeth on edge

• Meaning: To cause irritation or discomfort.
• Example: The high-pitched squeal of the microphone set everyone’s teeth on edge.

Get your teeth into something

• Meaning: To become deeply involved in or enthusiastic about something.
• Example: He couldn’t wait to get his teeth into the new project and make it a success.

By the skin of your teeth

• Meaning: Narrowly; by a very small margin.
• Example: He passed the exam by the skin of his teeth, even though he hadn’t studied much.

Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth

• Meaning: Don’t be critical of a gift or opportunity that has been given to you.
• Example: I know it’s not exactly what you wanted, but don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.

Spend a pretty penny

• Meaning: To spend a large amount of money.
• Example: She spent a pretty penny on that designer handbag, but she thinks it was worth it.

A horse of a different color

• Meaning: Something completely different or unrelated.
• Example: I thought we were discussing the budget, not marketing strategies. That’s a horse of a different color.

So next time you’re looking to add some bite to your conversations, don’t be afraid to use a teeth idiom! They’ll add a touch of personality and humor, making you a more engaging communicator.

What’s your favorite teeth idiom? Share it in the comments, and let’s get this conversation grinning!

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