Idioms are phrases that have a meaning different from the words in them. Today, we’re looking at idioms that use the word “shell.” These phrases are fun and can spice up your conversations!
Shell Idioms
Here are 20 shell idioms in English with meaning and example sentences for each.
1. Come out of your shell
Meaning: Become more outgoing
Example: He really came out of his shell at the party.
2. Shell out
Meaning: Spend money, usually unwillingly
Example: I had to shell out a lot for that repair.
3. Shell shocked
Meaning: Extremely shocked or disturbed
Example: The news left him completely shell shocked.
4. Tough nut to shell
Meaning: Difficult problem to solve
Example: This puzzle is a tough nut to shell.
5. Shut up like a clam
Meaning: Refuse to talk or respond
Example: She shut up like a clam when questioned.
6. Like a turtle without a shell
Meaning: Feeling very vulnerable
Example: I felt like a turtle without a shell at school today.
7. Walk on eggshells
Meaning: Be extremely cautious
Example: I’m walking on eggshells around him today.
8. Shell game
Meaning: A deceptive maneuver
Example: It felt like a shell game at the dealership.
9. Crack someone’s shell
Meaning: Break through someone’s outer defense
Example: It’s hard to crack his shell.
10. In a nutshell
Meaning: Summarized briefly
Example: So, in a nutshell, that’s the story.
11. Shell of oneself
Meaning: A weaker version of oneself
Example: He’s a shell of himself after the illness.
12. Under one’s shell
Meaning: Hidden emotionally
Example: He keeps his feelings under his shell.
13. Break the shell
Meaning: Overcome initial barriers
Example: You need to break the shell to succeed.
14. Soft-shell
Meaning: Easily hurt or sensitive
Example: He’s a bit soft-shell about feedback.
15. Hard shell to crack
Meaning: Difficult to understand or know
Example: She’s a hard shell to crack.
16. Shell of the former self
Meaning: Greatly diminished or reduced
Example: The building is a shell of its former self.
17. Without a shell
Meaning: Without protection or defense
Example: You’re out there without a shell.
18. Lose one’s shell
Meaning: Become less defensive
Example: It’s good to see him lose his shell.
19. Into one’s shell
Meaning: Retreat into oneself
Example: She went into her shell after the argument.
20. No shell thick enough
Meaning: Unable to protect oneself adequately
Example: There’s no shell thick enough for that criticism.
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