Physical Appearance & Style, Fashion & Outfits, Age and 5 More Topics · English Idioms: Describing People

to achieve or experience significant success or progress, often with a sense of confidence and positive momentum

"She really has it going on."

"After months of hard work, our team finally has it going on with the new project."

the most attractive or popular woman at a party, dance, or any other social event

"She was the belle of the ball."

"She wore a beautiful red dress and was the belle of the ball at the charity event last night."

to look very attractive, well-dressed, and stylish, as if one had spent a lot of money on their appearance

"She looks a million dollars!"

"After getting her hair done and wearing that stunning red dress, she looked like a million dollars at the charity gala last Saturday evening."

to attract a lot of interest or attention because of how great someone or something looks

"Her dress turned heads."

"The actress turned heads when she walked into the room wearing a stunning designer gown."

used to describe someone who has tanned skin, due to prolonged exposure to the sunlight

"He is brown as a berry."

"After spending the entire summer working outdoors on the farm, he came home as brown as a berry and completely unrecognizable to his friends."

an appearance that is not perfectly organized, neat, and tidy

"Her hair was perfect without a hair out of place."

"Even after running for the bus she did not have a single hair out of place and looked perfect."

a person whose hair has a color between red and brown

"The baby has a carrot top."

"The baby has a carrot top and his red hair stands out in family photos."

to stop caring for one's physical appearance, hygiene, or mental well-being

"He has let himself go."

"After she had the baby she let herself go and stopped caring about her appearance for a while."

to look very disorganized and untidy

"He looks like something the cat dragged in."

"After working in the garden all day, I looked like something the cat dragged in when I came home."

to have a sexually attractive appearance

"She has got it going on."

"With her confident stride and radiant smile, she really has got it going on."

used to refer to someone's hair

"Her hair is her crowning glory."

"Her hair is her crowning glory and she spends hours styling it every morning."

a day on which one feels unattractive, particularly due to one's hair not looking as well as it should

"I am having a bad hair day."

"She was having a bad hair day so she wore a hat to cover her messy hair."

to stop caring for one's physical appearance, hygiene, or mental well-being

"He let himself go."

"After the breakup, he unfortunately let himself go, neglecting his health and appearance."

(of appearance) looking untidy, rough, or disorganized

"His hair looked wild and woolly."

"His wild and woolly hair made him look like he had just woken up."

used to describe someone who is dressed up in a very fashionable way to draw attention

"He was dressed to kill."

"He arrived at the party dressed to kill, hoping to impress everyone with his stylish outfit."

dressed up in a very attractive or fashionable way

"She was dressed to the nines."

"The guests arrived at the gala dressed to the nines in fancy gowns and expensive tuxedos."

to dress or present oneself in a stylish and impressive manner

"She cut a dash at the party."

"He really cut a dash at the wedding in his brand new tailored suit."

dressed up in a very formal and attractive way

"He arrived suited and booted."

"All the guests arrived suited and booted for the wedding which was a very formal occasion with strict dress code."

a person's most attractive or expensive set of clothing, often worn in special occasions

"The children wore their Sunday best."

"The children wore their Sunday best and looked very smart in new dresses and polished shoes."

(particularly of women) to wear revealing clothes, often for the purpose of arousing others

"She likes to show skin."

"The actress chose to show skin in her daring red carpet outfit."

a person, typically an older individual, who dresses or presents themselves in a manner intended to appear younger than their actual age

"She is mutton dressed as lamb."

"Her flamboyant style and youthful clothing made her appear like mutton dressed as lamb."

a young individual with little or no experience

"At seventy he is no spring chicken."

"The actress was no spring chicken but she still performed physically demanding stunts herself."

a young energetic person that brings new ideas, enthusiasm, and vitality to a group, organization, or activity

"The team needs some young blood."

"The team needs some young blood and should recruit fresh talent from the universities."

used when someone has learned or experienced something from a very young age

"She learned to sew at her mother's knee."

"She learned to bake bread at her mother's knee and now makes the most delicious loaves in the village."

used to refer to people who look older than the age they are at

"He is on the wrong side of forty."

"With his weathered face and tired eyes, he looked decidedly on the wrong side of fifty."

an advanced stage of life characterized by a long lifespan and great wisdom

"She lived to a ripe old age."

"My grandmother lived to the ripe old age of ninety seven and was healthy until her final years."

used to describe someone or something that is old and has existed for a long time

"That joke is as old as the hills."

"That joke is as old as the hills and everyone has heard it at least a hundred times before."

describing an individual who has lived for a very long time and is not able to do certain activities due to old age

"My horse is getting a bit long in the tooth."

"My horse is getting a bit long in the tooth so he cannot run as fast as before."

used to describe an old person who is still very active and healthy

"My grandfather is hale and hearty."

"My grandfather is nearly ninety years old but he is still hale and hearty."

a senior citizen that spends a lot of time using the Internet

"My grandma is a silver surfer."

"The retired librarian, a true silver surfer, spent hours researching genealogy online."

used to refer to a significant age difference between two people, especially those who are romantically involved with one another

"She is old enough to be my mother."

"Her new boyfriend is old enough to be her father and everyone in the family is quite worried about her."

considered old and no longer at one's best

"Some say he is over the hill."

"Some people think that anyone over fifty is over the hill but I completely disagree with that idea."

(of a person) very young or very small

"I was knee-high to a grasshopper."

"He remembered playing in the garden when he was knee-high to a grasshopper."

the time in a person's life marked by youthfulness, inexperience, and being carefree

"She remembers her salad days fondly."

"She remembers her salad days fondly when she was young and carefree without responsibilities."

not damaged or injured in any way

"The lost child is safe and sound."

"After a long journey the children arrived home safe and sound and their parents were relieved."

used to describe someone that is in a prime state of health or physical stability

"My grandma is healthy as a horse."

"Despite his age, my grandfather is as healthy as a horse and runs five miles every single morning."

used to suggest that someone or something has fully recovered or is in good working condition

"She feels right as rain."

"After a week of rest and plenty of fluids, she felt as right as rain and was ready to return to work."

used to refer to someone with an immense amount of strength

"He is strong as an oak tree."

"After months of training at the gym, he became as strong as an ox and could lift heavy weights easily."

(of a person) in a very healthy physical state

"After the vacation, I am in the pink of health."

"My grandmother is ninety years old but she is still in the pink of health and very active."

used to refer to someone who has recovered from an illness or injury and is no longer in bed

"He is up and about."

"After a week in bed with the flu, she was finally up and around again."

(of a person) having a healthy or fit body

"I try to stay in shape."

"After months of regular exercise he is finally in good shape for the race."

in good health after a period of illness or injury

"I am back on my feet."

"After the accident it took him several weeks to get back on his feet again."

used to describe a very well-behaved and obedient individual, especially a child

"The kids were good as gold."

"The children were as good as gold while their parents were away at the party."

healthy or cheerful in appearance

"She looks rosy about the gills."

"After her vacation in the mountains, she returned looking rosy about the gills."

to manage to stand upright after taking a fall or being knocked down

"He regained his feet."

"After tripping on the rug, he quickly regained his feet and continued walking."

the sleep that is believed to be necessary for maintaining one's physical appearance and overall health

"She needs her beauty sleep."

"She needs her beauty sleep and refuses to stay up late watching movies on weeknights."

in good health after a period of illness or injury

"He is on his feet."

"After weeks of recovery, she was finally back on her feet and ready to resume normal activities."

(of a person) having good health or positive outlook on life

"He is as good as gold."

"Despite his age, he remains as good as gold, always cheerful and energetic."

used to refer to someone who is starting to get or feel better after a period of illness or injury

"He is on the mend now."

"My grandfather was very sick but he is now on the mend and should be home from the hospital soon."

to manage to stand upright after taking a fall or being knocked down

"He regained his feet."

"After stumbling on the uneven path, he quickly regained his feet and continued walking."

someone who is in a good state of health

"She is the picture of health."

"The old man was the picture of good health with bright eyes and a strong energetic walk."

used to refer to someone who is very healthy and in good physical condition

"He is fit as a fiddle."

"My grandmother is as fit as a fiddle even though she is over eighty years old."

free from illness or injury

"He is sound as a roach."

"Despite his age, he remained physically active and was as sound as a roach."

(of people) still alive and in good health

"My old dog is still alive and kicking."

"Despite the rumours my old professor is still alive and well and living in the countryside."

to remain healthy and in good physical shape

"I keep in good trim."

"She goes running every morning to keep in good trim and maintain her healthy lifestyle all year round."

used to refer to someone who is in the good state of spirit and health

"I am finally in the land of the living."

"After a long illness, he was finally back in the land of the living, full of energy."

a situation where someone experiences a positive change in their health, energy levels, or outlook on life

"The surgery gave me a new lease on life."

"The heart transplant gave the patient a new lease on life and he started enjoying every single day."

in a healthy state, both physically and emotionally

"She is up to the mark."

"After a period of illness, she is finally feeling up to the mark and ready to return to work."

(of people) still alive and in good health

"He is alive and well."

"After a difficult surgery, the patient was reported to be alive and well."

having an extremely thin body

"He is skinny as a beanpole now."

"The marathon runner was skinny as a beanpole, all muscle and no fat."

used to refer to someone with fat or large thighs

"He teased her about thunder thighs."

"He was self conscious about his thunder thighs and always wore long shorts to the beach."

used to describe someone who is totally bald

"He is bald as an eagle."

"His head was completely bald as an eagle, shining under the bright stage lights."

used to refer to someone who is completely bald

"My uncle is bald as a cue ball."

"He embraced his new look and was as bald as a cue ball."

having less hair, particularly on the upper part of the head, often leading to baldness

"He is getting thin on top."

"Many middle-aged men start to notice they are getting thin on top."

in a state of complete nudity

"He walked around in the buff."

"The streaker ran across the field in the buff."

(of a person) not having any clothes on

"The toddler ran in his birthday suit."

"He emerged from the shower and stood in his birthday suit."

used to refer to someone who is unable to see well

"He is blind as a bat."

"Without her glasses, she was as blind as a bat and couldn't read the sign."

completely lacking the ability to hear sounds

"He is deaf as a post."

"My neighbor is as deaf as a post, so you have to shout to get his attention."

to be very hot and sweat a lot

"I was sweating pig."

"After running the marathon in the midday sun, he was sweating like a pig and desperately needed water."

to talk in a manner that is very formal or complicated

"He talks like a book."

"The lawyer's closing argument was so eloquent, it sounded like he was talking like a book."

having just experienced something in particular

"They are fresh from college."

"The team is fresh from a decisive victory and feeling very confident about the next match."

used to refer to someone who is not covered with any clothing

"We watched a documentary about nature in the raw."

"The documentary showed nature in the raw including animals hunting and killing each other for survival."

an extremely hideous and unpleasant face

"That gargoyle has a face only a mother could love."

"The stray dog had a face only a mother could love, but it was incredibly sweet."

an extremely ugly and unlikable face

"His reflection has a face that would stop a clock."

"He was known for his gruff demeanor and a face that could stop a clock."

a person's facial expression that reflects a combination of anger and annoyance

"His face was like a bulldog chewing a wasp."

"When he heard the bad news, his face contorted into one like a bulldog chewing a wasp."

to have a very awful and untidy appearance

"After the party, he looked a sight."

"After sleeping in his clothes all night, he looked a sight when he woke up."

the use of one's own legs as the mode of travel

"We took shanks' mare today."

"Since the car broke down, we had to travel the remaining five miles using shanks' mare."

becoming extremely red in the face because of hot temperature

"His cheeks were red as a beetroot."

"After running in the hot sun, his face was red as a beetroot."

used to refer to someone who looks unnaturally pale, often as a result of fear or illness

"She looked white as a ghost."

"When he heard the terrible news, his face went as white as a sheet and he couldn't speak."

a person who spends excessive amounts of time using a computer, particularly for activities such as browsing the internet, playing video games, or engaging in social media

"The mouse potato spends hours online daily."

"He became a mouse potato during the pandemic spending over twelve hours a day at his computer playing games."

a person's face when it shows clear signs of anger or hostility

"Her face was like thunder."

"When the waiter spilled coffee on him, his face was like thunder."

to have a strong and powerful voice, typically indicating one's ability to speak loudly, assertively, or with great enthusiasm or one's talent for singing with clarity

"The singer has a good pair of lungs."

"The opera singer has a healthy pair of lungs, projecting her voice powerfully across the entire hall."

having an unattractive or unpleasant appearance

"That old statue is ugly as a toad."

"The creature emerging from the swamp was as ugly as a toad."

a person of short stature

"He is vertically challenged."

"The jockey, who was vertically challenged, easily fit into the small racing saddle."

to get or do what one wants despite the odds or other people's desires

"The child always gets his own way."

"The spoiled child always gets his own way because his parents never say no to him."

used for saying that someone strongly refuses to participate in or be associated with something, often due to strong dislike, embarrassment, or a sense of moral objection

"I would not be caught dead in that hat."

"I would not be caught dead wearing that ugly shirt to a party because it is embarrassing."

a type of activity, subject, etc. that one is very good at or enjoys very much

"Swimming is my cup of tea."

"Classical music is not really my cup of tea, but I enjoy listening to jazz."

to be something that one is interested in

"This music is my scene."

"While he enjoys action movies, sci-fi is definitely not his scene."

to tell someone that they are really about to enjoy something

"You are in for a treat!"

"If you love chocolate, you are in for a treat with this new dessert."

used for saying that someone can do something whenever and however they want

"You can leave at your pleasure."

"The guests were told they could explore the gardens at their pleasure."

a task that is done only for the sake of one's pleasure and not for any rewards of any kind

"This garden is a labor of love."

"Restoring the old car was a labour of love for my father because he enjoyed every minute of the work."

to observe someone or something with a great sense of pleasure or fulfillment

"Feast your eyes on this beautiful view."

"We feasted our eyes on the beautiful sunset over the mountains and took many photographs to remember it."

to perform any activity in the way that one prefers, paying no attention to what others might say or think about one

"She does as she please."

"Ever since he moved out of his parents' house, he does as he pleases without asking anyone."

to do whatever makes one happy or satisfied, without caring about other's opinions

"I like to do my own thing."

"After retiring he finally had time to do his own thing and pursue his hobbies like painting and gardening."

to turn something down because one believes that it is not satisfactory enough

"She turned her nose up at dinner."

"The critic turned his nose up at the new restaurant, claiming the food was mediocre and overpriced."

to naturally be good at noticing, judging, or appreciating something, particularly a thing's value or a person's talents

"She has an eye for art."

"My grandmother has an eye for beautiful antiques and rare vintage furniture."

to alter one's facial expression in response to someone or something, often to convey emotions such as dislike, disgust, or mockery

"The boy pulled a face at me."

"The little boy pulled a funny face at his sister to make her laugh loudly."

to fulfill one's need or desire for something

"He scratched that itch yesterday."

"She finally decided to scratch that itch and booked a trip to Italy to fulfill her travel dreams."

used to say that someone is indifferent about having, eating, seeing, or doing something

"I can take it or leave it."

"Honestly, I could take or leave that new movie because the story was not very interesting to me."

(of an activity) too time consuming or requiring a lot of effort to be done or completed

"That sounds too much like hard work."

"Cooking a complicated meal after a long day at work is too much like hard work so I ordered pizza instead."

something that a person finds so interesting that they cannot let go of it

"The documentary was a rabbit hole."

"Learning about the history of ancient Rome became a fascinating rabbit hole for her."