English Idioms with Teeth That Will Make You Smile
Who loves English idioms? 🙋♀️ Raise your hand!
Who loves English idioms with teeth? 🦷 Hmm… I see that hesitant hand — I get it!
Mixed feelings, right? They’re funny, a bit confusing, but so worth learning!
English idioms can be both puzzling and fun, especially the ones that make you stop and think, “Wait… teeth have skin?”
That’s exactly what happened to me the first time I heard someone say, “I passed by the skin of my teeth!” I couldn’t help but laugh at how creative English can be—and that’s when I realized idioms are one of the most enjoyable parts of learning the language.
Do you know the idiom I just used? “I couldn't help.” 🙋♀️ Raise your hand if you do!
If you don’t, no worries—this is a common English idiom, and you can hear it all the time in real conversations.
We use “can’t / couldn’t help (doing something)” when something happens automatically—you had no control over it.
Example:
I couldn’t help smiling when I saw her.
Did you notice how using this idiom made my writing more expressive and memorable?
Let’s look now at English idioms with teeth—great examples of how humor and strong images bring English to life.
What are English idioms with teeth?
English idioms with teeth are fixed expressions that include the word “tooth” or “teeth,” but their meaning is not literal. They use strong images and humor to express feelings, situations, or actions in everyday English.
Why are English idioms with teeth tricky?
The meaning cannot be guessed from the individual words. The images are figurative, and understanding comes from context and real usage rather than direct translation.
🦷 Fight Tooth and Nail
This idiom means to fight or work very hard for something. It’s not about biting or scratching (thankfully!), but about effort and persistence. When you fight tooth and nail, you give your absolute best — whether it’s in work, school, or your English practice.
✅ Examples:
– She fought tooth and nail to pass her English exam.
– They fought tooth and nail to save their business.
– He’s fighting tooth and nail to improve his pronunciation.
PRO TIP
Use this idiom to describe moments of determination or to show how hard you’re working toward your goals.
List of English Idioms with Teeth
😬 By the Skin of Your Teeth
This idiom means barely succeeding or managing something just in time. The idea of “teeth having skin” is funny and impossible — and that’s exactly the point! It emphasizes that success was very, very close to failure.
✅ Examples:
– I caught the bus by the skin of my teeth.
– He passed the test by the skin of his teeth.
– We finished the project by the skin of our teeth.
PRO TIP
It’s a great idiom to use when describing those moments when you barely make it — like finishing homework seconds before the deadline or remembering a word right before time’s up in an exam.
😁 Sink Your Teeth Into Something
This idiom means to start something with great enthusiasm and focus. When you “sink your teeth into something,” you give it your full attention and energy.
✅ Examples:
– I can’t wait to sink my teeth into my new English course.
– She finally sank her teeth into writing her blog posts.
– Once you sink your teeth into language learning, you won’t stop!
PRO TIP
It’s full of positive energy and motivation, perfect for describing learners who enjoy challenges and love exploring new skills.
😁 Long in the Tooth
This idiom means getting old or being too old for something.
It’s often used in a lighthearted way, not to insult, but to say that someone isn’t as young as they used to be.
The phrase comes from horses — as they age, their gums recede and their teeth appear longer. So, when you say someone is “long in the tooth,” you’re comparing them to an older horse — in the most charming way possible!
Examples:
He’s a bit long in the tooth for skateboarding, but he still enjoys it.
That TV show is getting long in the tooth — it’s been running for years!
I might be long in the tooth, but I can still outdance my students!
PRO TIP
This idiom often carries warmth and humor, especially when used to describe someone older but still full of life and energy.
🧊 Set Someone’s Teeth on Edge
This idiom describes something that annoys, irritates, or makes you feel uncomfortable — especially certain sounds or habits. Imagine that feeling when you hear nails scratching on a chalkboard. That’s the sensation behind “sets my teeth on edge.”
Examples:
That loud chewing really sets my teeth on edge!
Her constant humming during meetings sets everyone’s teeth on edge.
The screech of subway brakes sets my teeth on edge every morning.
PRO TIP
You can also use this expression to describe behavior, not just sounds. For example, “His rude comments set my teeth on edge.” It’s a polite and expressive way to say that something bothers you.
🪞 Cut Your Teeth on Something
This idiom means to gain your first experience doing something new, especially in your career or learning journey. It comes from the idea of babies “cutting their first teeth,” which is a milestone moment of growth.
Examples:
She cut her teeth on small translation projects before becoming a professional writer.
He cut his teeth in customer service before becoming a manager.
I cut my teeth on English by watching late-night talk shows and repeating every phrase!
PRO TIP
This is a great idiom to describe professional development or language learning progress. Say “I cut my teeth on…” to show where you started gaining experience.
For more vocabulary and tips, explore these related articles.
👉 English Vocabulary for Teeth: Understanding the Basics
👉 Basic Dental Vocabulary in English – Learning Plan for Beginners
How You Can Practice These Idioms with AI
Try asking ChatGPT or another AI tool to:
✅ Create short dialogues that include these idioms.
✅ Give you a mini quiz where you fill in the missing idiom.
✅ Turn each idiom into a funny short story or social media caption.
For example, ask:
🗣️ “Write a short story using the idioms ‘long in the tooth,’ ‘set someone’s teeth on edge,’ and ‘cut your teeth on something.’”
You’ll see how idioms fit naturally into real conversations — and you’ll never forget them again!
✍️ How to Remember English Idioms With Teeth Easily
Learning idioms can feel like trying to chew tough food — it takes practice! But here’s how to make it easier:
✅ Visualize them: Imagine the idiom as a little movie in your mind. Think of someone literally fighting with a toothbrush or biting into a grammar book (just for fun!).
✅ Connect emotions: Feel the situation — determination for fight tooth and nail, relief for by the skin of your teeth, and excitement for sink your teeth into something.
✅ Create personal examples: Write short sentences about your own life using each idiom. The more personal they feel, the faster you’ll remember them.
✅ Practice with AI: Tools like ChatGPT can make learning idioms interactive. Ask it to create dialogues, quizzes, or short stories that include these idioms. You can even challenge it to use one idiom in five funny ways — and then try to do the same yourself!
✅ Use them daily: Don’t just memorize — speak! Try one idiom a day when chatting with friends or writing journal entries. The goal is to make them part of your natural English flow.
If you need more tips and guidance to grow your language learning skills, be productive, and reach real progress, explore my membership, which offers courses, guides, and resources.
Feel free to come and say hi on my Facebook group!
💡 My Advice as a Language Mentor
Idioms are the flavor of any language, so are English idioms with teeth?
They make your speech more interesting, emotional, and memorable. You don’t need to learn them all — just the ones that make you smile or feel useful in real situations.
Using AI tools like ChatGPT can help you go beyond memorizing definitions.
When you start recognizing different types of idioms — seasonal, emotional, food, and everyday expressions — your communication naturally becomes more colorful and adaptable.
I’ve experienced this, and I see the same transformation in my students.
Strong communication skills don’t grow simply from learning more vocabulary. They grow from understanding how English is truly used in real-life situations.
FAQ
They often symbolize effort, difficulty, strength, or determination rather than anything physical.
Yes. They appear often in daily speech, work conversations, and informal writing.
Learning them through examples, visuals, and short situations makes them easier to remember.
No. Word-for-word translation usually leads to confusion. Context and examples matter more.
🗝️Key Takeaways
- Tooth-related idioms are figurative, not literal
- Strong imagery makes them memorable and expressive
- Meaning comes from context, not individual words
English idioms are meant to be enjoyed — they’ll not only sharpen your vocabulary but also brighten your conversations.
And don’t forget to check out my other articles on englishstudyhelper.com to grow your vocabulary and grammar skills with fun, real-life examples.
What to Read Next
Start with the related article. Continue with the updated guides.
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Until next time!
Thanks for reading,
M.K.
P.S. Before we go, let me share one last resource.
If you’re planning to travel soon, I recommend checking out my Travel English guide. In it, I share my real travel communication experience—especially helpful if you’re planning a trip to Europe.
TRAVEL GUIDE
Survival Handbook
Confident Conversations Abroad covers essential topics such as:
- Cultural sensitivity
- The power of non-verbal communication
- Managing challenging conversations
- Harnessing the potential of technology
- And much more!
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