stomach idioms

Stomach idioms pop up all over everyday English, even though they usually have nothing to do with actual digestion. They are used to talk about nerves, courage, instincts, disgust, and those strange feelings you get when something just does not sit right. This page breaks down popular stomach idioms with clear meanings and simple examples, without making your head hurt.

What is a stomach?

The stomach is the internal organ that digests our food. It sits in the upper part of the abdomen, slightly to the left.. It’s often referred to as ‘belly’ or ‘tummy’. The plural is ‘stomachs’.

Common Stomach Idioms and Meanings

Your stomach does more than just digest food; it’s also where you feel emotions! From nervous butterflies to gut feelings, there are plenty of English idioms that use the stomach to describe emotions, instincts, and reactions. Whether you’re feeling queasy with nerves, sick with worry, or trusting your gut, these stomach-related phrases add colour to conversations. Check out this list of common stomach idioms and their meanings!

idiomatic expressions with body parts - stomach

a beer belly

meaning – a big stomach due to eating/drinking too much
example – We need to go on a diet after our holiday. We’ve got beer bellies.

A cartoon illustration showing a green stick-figure man with a beer belly lifting dumbbells in a gym. Next to him, a muscular purple character lifts a heavy barbell. The image includes a speech bubble saying, "I must get rid of my beer belly before summer," and a box defining "a beer belly" as a big stomach from overeating or drinking.

can’t stomach someone/something

meaning – dislike, hate, can’t tolerate
example – I can’t stomach that new boy in our class, he’s rude and obnoxious.

Illustration of a sick person lying on a sofa with untouched food on a table, showing the idiom can’t stomach, meaning unable to eat or unable to tolerate something.

cast-iron stomach

meaning – can eat weird and wonderful food and not feel sick
example – I thought I had a cast iron stomach, but I was violently sick for the first 6 days of my holiday.

A cartoon illustration for the idiom "cast-iron stomach" set in a cozy curry house. A character in a red "09" shirt happily eats a spicy meal, while his friend in a blue polka-dot shirt reacts to the heat with sweat and a shocked expression. The image includes a speech bubble and a purple box defining the idiom with a practical example.

go belly up

meaning – go spectacularly wrong
example – My new business venture went belly up in the first six months. I’m back working in a factory.

Cartoon of a man falling through ice to illustrate the idiom "go belly up" with a definition and example sentence.

hard/difficult to stomach

meaning – hard to accept something that is wrong/unpleasant
example – Watching children beg on the street is hard to stomach.

Cartoon illustration of two people watching a scary movie to define the English idiom "difficult to stomach."

have butterflies in one’s stomach

meaning – your stomach feels funny because you are scared, nervous, anxious etc.
example – I had butterflies this morning, but they went just before the exam.

Cartoon illustration of a nervous woman waiting for her date in a bar, holding a cocktail. A speech bubble says, "I’m waiting for my date. I really like him; I’ve got butterflies in my stomach." A bartender is pouring a drink, and another customer is sitting at the bar. Below, a purple box explains the idiom "have butterflies in one's stomach" with its meaning and example sentence.

have eyes bigger than one’s belly

meaning – take more food than you can eat
example – We always have eyes bigger than our bellies when we go to sushi restaurants.

artoon of two people sitting at a restaurant table with an oversized plate of food, illustrating the idiom have eyes bigger than your belly, meaning taking more food than you can eat.

haven’t got the stomach for something

meaning – not brave enough to do something unpleasant or daring
example – I couldn’t be a surgeon; I haven’t got the stomach for it.

Educational cartoon of a man in a hazmat suit cleaning a dirty toilet to define the idiom "haven't got the stomach for."

turn one’s stomach

meaning – make you feel sick/disgusted
example – Our stomachs were turning on the rollercoaster.

Educational cartoon of a terrified hiker facing a giant spider to define the idiom "turn one's stomach."

You can download a table of ‘stomach’ idioms and expressions below.

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If you’ve enjoyed this page, don’t forget to check out some more body idioms by clicking on the links below.

The Final Word on Stomach Idioms

Stomach idioms might sound a bit odd at first, but they’re a big part of everyday English. Once you get used to them, they’re an easy way to talk about nerves, instincts, and emotional reactions in a more natural, colourful way. The key is not to overthink them. Trust your gut, practise using them in context, and soon these stomach-related phrases will feel second nature.

Learn More English Idioms

If stomach idioms haven’t turned your stomach, take a look at some of our other idiom pages too. From body parts and animals to food and business, these themed idiom guides and quizzes help you build natural vocabulary and sound more fluent in real English

skin
throat