Ever wonder how our guts are linked to the way we speak? In English, we use many sayings that include the word “gut.” These sayings, called idioms, help us express our feelings and thoughts in interesting ways. Let’s explore some of these gut idioms together!
Gut Idioms
Here are 20 gut idioms in English.
1. Gut feeling
Meaning: Intuitive instinct
Example: I had a gut feeling she’d win.
2. No guts, no glory
Meaning: Risk is necessary for success
Example: He risked his savings, no guts, no glory.
3. Guts for garters
Meaning: Severe punishment expected
Example: He’ll have my guts for garters if I’m late.
4. Spill your guts
Meaning: Share secrets or confess
Example: She spilled her guts at the meeting.
5. Gut reaction
Meaning: Instant response to a situation
Example: My gut reaction was to say no.
6. Gut-wrenching
Meaning: Very upsetting
Example: It was a gut-wrenching decision.
7. Gut punch
Meaning: Something very shocking
Example: Losing the job was a gut punch.
8. Trust your gut
Meaning: Rely on your instinct
Example: Always trust your gut in deals.
9. Go with your gut
Meaning: Follow your intuition
Example: I went with my gut and succeeded.
10. Gut instinct
Meaning: Natural or innate impulse
Example: Her gut instinct was spot on.
11. Gut check
Meaning: Moment to evaluate a decision
Example: It’s time for a gut check here.
12. Have the guts
Meaning: Have the courage
Example: Do you have the guts to try?
13. Bust a gut
Meaning: Work extremely hard
Example: He busted a gut to finish on time.
14. Hate someone’s guts
Meaning: Really dislike someone
Example: I absolutely hate his guts!
15. Turn one’s guts
Meaning: Cause to feel disgust
Example: That story turned my guts.
16. Gut the place
Meaning: Completely empty a space
Example: They gutted the house for renovation.
17. Cut a gut
Meaning: Laugh heartily
Example: We cut a gut at the joke.
18. Beer gut
Meaning: A belly from drinking beer
Example: He’s got a beer gut now.
19. Courage of one’s guts
Meaning: Very brave
Example: She showed the courage of her guts.
20. Scream one’s guts out
Meaning: Shout very loudly
Example: They screamed their guts out at the concert.
