LEG idioms (body idioms)

Contents

What is a leg?

A leg is one of the two lower limbs that help us to walk. The plural is ‘legs’.

Let’s look at some popular body idioms that contain the word ‘leg’.

break a leg
meaning – good luck
example – You’re well prepared for the interview. I’m sure you will get the job, break a leg.
cost an arm and a leg
meaning – be very expensive
example – We won’t be going to that Italian again. It costs an arm and a leg, and the menu is basic.
give someone a leg
meaning – up help someone achieve something
example – My parents gave me a leg up so I could buy my first house.
haven’t got a leg to stand on
meaning – have no proof/evidence to justify your actions
example – The key witness has arrived, the suspect doesn’t have a leg to stand on.
legwork
meaning – long boring tasks that have to be done as part of a job
example – Mia has done all the legwork. She’s gathered 2000 reports and put them on a spreadsheet.
on one’s last legs
meaning – very weak/ about to die
example – My washing machine is on its last legs, I need a new one.
pull someone’s leg
meaning – playfully joke/tease someone
example – You’re pregnant? Please tell me you’re pulling my leg.
sea legs
meaning – keep your balance and not feel sick on a moving ship
example – I can’t go on a cruise; I haven’t got sea legs.
talk the hind leg off a donkey
meaning – someone who talks a lot/for a long time
example – I hate Andrew’s meetings, they last hours. That man could talk the hind leg off a donkey.