teeth
(tiːθ )
A1
Teeth is the plural of tooth.
Image of teeth
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Idioms:
someone would give their eye teeth for something
said to mean that someone wants something very much, and that they would do almost anything to get it
He's the most exciting man I've ever worked with, and I'd give my eye teeth to do something with him again.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
get the bit between your teeth
to become very enthusiastic and determined about doing a particular job or task
You're persistent when you get the bit between your teeth, I'll say that for you.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
do something by the skin of your teeth
to just manage to do something, although you very nearly fail
Chelsea won the title by the skin of their teeth.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
armed to the teeth
having or carrying a lot of weapons or very effective weapons
The police are grossly underpaid and underequipped while the criminals are armed to the teeth with the latest weapons.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
cut your teeth doing something
to do something new which gives you experience and helps you learn how to do more advanced or complicated things
Dennis cut his teeth with theatre roles before taking on parts in TV series and films.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
fed up to the back teeth with something or sick to the back teeth of something
annoyed or tired because something has been happening for a long time and you think it should be stopped or changed
I've always supported the Conservative Party but I'm fed up to the back teeth with them at the moment.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
get your teeth into something
to become deeply involved with something and do it with a lot of energy and enthusiasm
Half the trouble is having nothing interesting to do. We've not had a project to get our teeth into for weeks.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
gnashing of teeth
when people become very worried or upset by something that has happened, especially when they are overreacting or showing their concern in an excessive way
In times of widespread strife and much gnashing of teeth, a sense of community is needed to stop everyone plummeting into the dark depths of despair.
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gnash your teeth
to show your anger about something in a very obvious way
He stood glaring at me, gnashing his teeth.
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grind your teeth
to be very angry or frustrated about something, but feel that you cannot say or do anything about it
Lucy appeared to think this over for a moment and then walked away, grinding her teeth in frustration.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
grit your teeth
to decide to continue even though the situation you are in is very difficult
He says that there are no simple solutions and that it will be hard work, but we just have to grit our teeth and get on with it.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
kick someone in the teeth
to unexpectedly treat someone very badly and unfairly
The union expected that the coalfield would be given favourable treatment: `Instead we have been kicked in the teeth.'
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
lie through your teeth
to tell very obvious lies while appearing not to be embarrassed about this
It's clear that the government are lying through their teeth.
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like pulling teeth
very difficult to do
Getting this information out of him was like pulling teeth.
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set your teeth on edge
if something sets your teeth on edge, you find it extremely irritating or unpleasant
His casual arrogance never failed to set my teeth on edge.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
show your teeth
to show that you are capable of fighting or defending yourself
We need to show our teeth if we are going to overturn the council's plan to build new houses in our village.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
something has teeth
said to mean that something, such as an organization or a law, has the necessary authority or power to make people obey it
The prison operates under a contract service level agreement which has teeth – financial penalties can be imposed and it's independently monitored.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers