The body
I always
comb my hair before
I go out.
Actions
In some Asian and Arab countries it is rude
to blow your nose in public.
We usually
shake hands
with a person we meet.
Friends and relatives usually greet each other by
a
kiss on the cheek.
People
yawn when they
are tired or bored.
Some people
bite their
nails when they are nervous.
Some people feel uncomfortable if you
fold your arms when talking to them. The arms act as a barrier between you and the othe person.
People usually nod their head to mean "yes", and shake their head for "no". But in some countries, e.g. in Bulgaria, it's the other way round - there a nod means "no" and a shake "yes".
People smile when they are happy, or they smile at people to be polite.
They laugh when they experience a funny thing, or when someone tells a joke.
People breathe in and out through the nose or mouth.
Idioms
"It's music to my ears"
You say "It's music to my ears" when somebody tells you something you wanted to hear.
"to be all ears"
(to listen eagerly and carefully)
Well, hurry up and tell me.
I'm all ears.
"keep an eye on someone or something"
(to watch someone or something; to monitor someone or something closely)
Please keep an eye on the baby.
Will you please keep your eye on my house while I'm on holiday?
"a shoulder to cry on"
(someone who gives you sympathy when you are upset)
Her boyfriend has left her, and she needs a shoulder to cry on.
"a pain in the neck"
(a very annoying person)
My little sister won't leave me alone. She's a real
pain in the neck.
"keep one's chin up"
(to keep one's spirits high)
Keep your chin up, John. Things will get better.
"give somebody a hand"
(to help someone do something)
Could you give me a hand with
these boxes, Mike?
"under someone's thumb"
(under someone's control and management)
You can't keep your kids under your thumb all their lives.
"cross your fingers" also
"keep your fingers crossed"
(to hope that things will happen in the way you want them to)
We're crossing our fingers and hoping that the weather
stays fine.
