Idioms containing MOUTH
TOP words in categories
BY WORD OF MOUTH
the informal, verbal passing of information from one person to another
1. Walter heard about it from one of the company’s employees even though it had not been advertised in the newspaper. He got the information by word of mouth.
2. Jane and Sarah will be very hurt if they aren’t invited to your party. You won’t be able to keep it a secret. They are sure to hear about it by word of mouth.
2. Jane and Sarah will be very hurt if they aren’t invited to your party. You won’t be able to keep it a secret. They are sure to hear about it by word of mouth.
DOWN IN THE MOUTH
unhappy
1. Jeff has been down in the mouth since he lost his job.
2. You look so sad. Why so down in the mouth?
2. You look so sad. Why so down in the mouth?
HAND TO MOUTH
to live in poor conditions from day to day; to be impoverished
1. When Brad lost his regular job, he had to take any temporary one that came along, and he never knew when he’d find another. He lived hand to mouth.
2. Some people in areas affected by drought live a hand-to-mouth existence. They collect what little food they can and never have enough to save some for another day.
2. Some people in areas affected by drought live a hand-to-mouth existence. They collect what little food they can and never have enough to save some for another day.
HAVE ONE'S HEART IN ONE'S MOUTH
to be full of fear or nervous anticipation
1. He wanted to do the courageous thing, but his heart was in his mouth.
2. My heart was in my mouth when I opened the letter.
2. My heart was in my mouth when I opened the letter.
LOOK A GIFT HORSE IN THE MOUTH, NOT
to find fault with a gift or to refuse a gift, usually because one is suspicious of the giver’s motives
1. You are too suspicious of Greg’s motives. If I were you, I would accept his gift graciously. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.
2. Johanna said that she appreciated their thoughtfulness in giving her a new car, and that she didn’t want to look a gift horse in the mouth, but she really would prefer a model with a few more extra features like air-conditioning and a CD player.
2. Johanna said that she appreciated their thoughtfulness in giving her a new car, and that she didn’t want to look a gift horse in the mouth, but she really would prefer a model with a few more extra features like air-conditioning and a CD player.
MAKE (ONE'S) MOUTH WATER
to make one salivate in anticipation of smth. good
1. The chocolate in the display window looks delicious. It makes my mouth water.
2. Charles had been saving his money, and now he was so close to being able to buy the sports car he wanted, it made his mouth water. He could practically taste it.
2. Charles had been saving his money, and now he was so close to being able to buy the sports car he wanted, it made his mouth water. He could practically taste it.
PUT (ONE'S) MONEY WHERE (ONE'S) MOUTH IS
to support what one is saying by risking or spending money (1&2); to demonstrate in action what one says one can do
1. The mayor was always talking about doing something good for the homeless people in our city. All we had heard so far was talk, so at the next city council meeting we asked her to put her money where her mouth was and actually do something constructive.
2. They talked so much about wanting to help us get a good start in life that I finally said, “Why don’t you put your money where your mouth is?”
2. They talked so much about wanting to help us get a good start in life that I finally said, “Why don’t you put your money where your mouth is?”
STRAIGHT FROM THE HORSE'S MOUTH
directly from the primary source; directly from the person or people involved
1. You may not believe this, but the boss is quitting the company. The boss told me himself. I heard it straight from the horse’s mouth.
2. Tim asked Molly where she heard the news. He thought perhaps it was just a rumor, but Molly said she got it straight from the horse’s mouth.
2. Tim asked Molly where she heard the news. He thought perhaps it was just a rumor, but Molly said she got it straight from the horse’s mouth.
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