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.
bury your head in the sand
Refuse to face unpleasant facts or problems.
While taking part in a fitness discussion, the speaker highlighted “bury your head in the sand”, which means “Refuse to face unpleasant facts or problems”.
hand [something] to [someone] on a plate
Give something to someone very easily.
In a medical-awareness workshop, participants used “hand [something] to [someone] on a plate” to communicate this idea: “Give something to someone very easily”.
be dealt a lousy hand
Be very unlucky in life.
While taking part in a health consultation, the speaker highlighted “be dealt a lousy hand”, which means “Be very unlucky in life”.
[someone's] face doesn't fit
Someone is not liked or considered suitable.
In a conversation about physical wellbeing, “[someone's] face doesn't fit” was explained as an expression meaning “Someone is not liked or considered suitable”.
be at death's door
Be very ill or close to death.
In a medical-awareness workshop, “be at death's door” was explained as an expression meaning “Be very ill or close to death”.
fall on deaf ears
Be ignored or not listened to.
In a fitness discussion, “fall on deaf ears” was explained as an expression meaning “Be ignored or not listened to”.
be one in the eye for [someone]
Be a setback or humiliation for someone.
During a conversation about physical wellbeing, the trainer referred to “be one in the eye for [someone]”, a useful expression for the idea “Be a setback or humiliation for someone”.
as [stiff/straight] as a ramrod
Very straight and stiff.
In a health consultation, participants used “as [stiff/straight] as a ramrod” to communicate this idea: “Very straight and stiff”.
like a bear with a sore head
Very bad-tempered.
During a fitness discussion, the facilitator introduced “like a bear with a sore head”, an expression meaning “Very bad-tempered”.
a fate worse than death
An experience considered even worse than dying.
During a fitness discussion, the facilitator introduced “a fate worse than death”, an expression meaning “An experience considered even worse than dying”.
as stiff as a ramrod
Very straight and stiff.
During a fitness discussion, the trainer referred to “as stiff as a ramrod”, a useful expression for the idea “Very straight and stiff”.
be under the weather
Feel slightly ill or unwell.
During a medical-awareness workshop, the facilitator introduced “be under the weather”, an expression meaning “Feel slightly ill or unwell”.
there's more to [something] than meets the eye
A situation is more complex than it seems.
In a health consultation, participants used “there's more to [something] than meets the eye” to communicate this idea: “A situation is more complex than it seems”.
can count [something] on the fingers of one hand
Have very few of something.
In a conversation about physical wellbeing, participants used “can count [something] on the fingers of one hand” to communicate this idea: “Have very few of something”.
an albatross around your neck
A burden that is hard to escape.
While taking part in a medical-awareness workshop, the speaker highlighted “an albatross around your neck”, which means “A burden that is hard to escape”.
an albatross around [someone's] neck
A burden that is hard to escape.
In a conversation about physical wellbeing, “an albatross around [someone's] neck” was explained as an expression meaning “A burden that is hard to escape”.
give [someone] a big hand
Applaud someone loudly.
While taking part in a conversation about physical wellbeing, the speaker highlighted “give [someone] a big hand”, which means “Applaud someone loudly”.
can't lay your hands on [something]
Be unable to find something.
During a medical-awareness workshop, the trainer referred to “can't lay your hands on [something]”, a useful expression for the idea “Be unable to find something”.
be head and shoulders above [someone]
Be much better than someone.
In a fitness discussion, participants used “be head and shoulders above [someone]” to communicate this idea: “Be much better than someone”.
bite the hand that feeds you
Treat badly someone who supports or helps you.
In a health consultation, “bite the hand that feeds you” was explained as an expression meaning “Treat badly someone who supports or helps you”.
compos mentis
Mentally healthy and responsible for your actions.
During a health consultation, the facilitator introduced “compos mentis”, an expression meaning “Mentally healthy and responsible for your actions”.
you have to hand it to [someone]
You must admit that someone deserves praise.
During a fitness discussion, the trainer referred to “you have to hand it to [someone]”, a useful expression for the idea “You must admit that someone deserves praise”.
as straight as a ramrod
Very straight and stiff.
During a conversation about physical wellbeing, the facilitator introduced “as straight as a ramrod”, an expression meaning “Very straight and stiff”.
in the twinkling of an eye
Very quickly.
During a health consultation, the trainer referred to “in the twinkling of an eye”, a useful expression for the idea “Very quickly”.
sick to death of [something]
Extremely tired of something.
While taking part in a medical-awareness workshop, the speaker highlighted “sick to death of [something]”, which means “Extremely tired of something”.