This lesson trains 25 C2 idioms on Health, Body & Physical Condition. Idioms signal fluency when used naturally — forcing them into every sentence hurts your score. Practise in the runner first, then revisit every expression in the glossary. Review mode after completion shows how each idiom fits its context.
put your hand on your heart
Say something honestly and sincerely.
In a conversation about physical wellbeing, participants used “put your hand on your heart” to communicate this idea: “Say something honestly and sincerely”.
be in over your head
Be involved in something too difficult.
During a health consultation, the trainer referred to “be in over your head”, a useful expression for the idea “Be involved in something too difficult”.
off your hands
No longer your responsibility.
In a health consultation, “off your hands” was explained as an expression meaning “No longer your responsibility”.
have two left feet
Be a very bad dancer.
While taking part in a health consultation, the speaker highlighted “have two left feet”, which means “Be a very bad dancer”.
fighting fit
Very healthy and physically strong.
In a conversation about physical wellbeing, “fighting fit” was explained as an expression meaning “Very healthy and physically strong”.
as smooth as silk
Extremely smooth.
While taking part in a conversation about physical wellbeing, the speaker highlighted “as smooth as silk”, which means “Extremely smooth”.
as fresh as a daisy
Very fresh and energetic.
During a health consultation, the facilitator introduced “as fresh as a daisy”, an expression meaning “Very fresh and energetic”.
sit on your hands
Do nothing when action is needed.
In a fitness discussion, “sit on your hands” was explained as an expression meaning “Do nothing when action is needed”.
fit like a glove
Fit perfectly.
In a health consultation, participants used “fit like a glove” to communicate this idea: “Fit perfectly”.
make your hair stand on end
Frighten you greatly.
During a medical-awareness workshop, the facilitator introduced “make your hair stand on end”, an expression meaning “Frighten you greatly”.
lay a hand on
Touch or hurt someone.
In a fitness discussion, participants used “lay a hand on” to communicate this idea: “Touch or hurt someone”.
see eye to eye
Agree with someone.
During a medical-awareness workshop, the trainer referred to “see eye to eye”, a useful expression for the idea “Agree with someone”.
get the all-clear
Receive permission or medical confirmation that all is safe.
During a fitness discussion, the trainer referred to “get the all-clear”, a useful expression for the idea “Receive permission or medical confirmation that all is safe”.
take matters into your own hands
Act yourself because others are not helping.
While taking part in a conversation about physical wellbeing, the speaker highlighted “take matters into your own hands”, which means “Act yourself because others are not helping”.
give your right arm for
Want something very much.
During a conversation about physical wellbeing, the facilitator introduced “give your right arm for”, an expression meaning “Want something very much”.
as silent as the grave
Completely silent.
In a fitness discussion, “as silent as the grave” was explained as an expression meaning “Completely silent”.
have blood on your hands
Be responsible for someone's death or suffering.
In a medical-awareness workshop, “have blood on your hands” was explained as an expression meaning “Be responsible for someone's death or suffering”.
within an inch of your life
Almost to the point of death or exhaustion.
During a health consultation, the trainer referred to “within an inch of your life”, a useful expression for the idea “Almost to the point of death or exhaustion”.
shoot yourself in the foot
Do something that harms your own interests.
During a health consultation, the facilitator introduced “shoot yourself in the foot”, an expression meaning “Do something that harms your own interests”.
over my dead body
Absolutely not; I will never allow it.
While taking part in a fitness discussion, the speaker highlighted “over my dead body”, which means “Absolutely not; I will never allow it”.
fingers and thumbs
Clumsy with your hands.
While taking part in a medical-awareness workshop, the speaker highlighted “fingers and thumbs”, which means “Clumsy with your hands”.
as thin as a rake
Extremely thin.
In a medical-awareness workshop, participants used “as thin as a rake” to communicate this idea: “Extremely thin”.
watch with half an eye
Watch without full attention.
In a medical-awareness workshop, participants used “watch with half an eye” to communicate this idea: “Watch without full attention”.
face-saving
Designed to prevent loss of respect or dignity.
During a fitness discussion, the facilitator introduced “face-saving”, an expression meaning “Designed to prevent loss of respect or dignity”.
lose face
Lose other people's respect.
During a conversation about physical wellbeing, the trainer referred to “lose face”, a useful expression for the idea “Lose other people's respect”.