Somatic Metaphors

Ever hear yourself talking & using phrases that are referencing the body. These sayings are common. What do they literally convey? Frequently they are clues to to how we know what we know or how we feel. Explicitly, our body is incorporated into our speech- the body’s language. Here are some to reflect on…

 v     Head in the clouds                                       It took my breath away

v     Off the top of my head                                 Inspire -expired

                 Exhausted

                 Suffocating

v     Hot headed                                                  The heartland

v     Air head                                                        The heart of the matter

v     It’s a no brainer                                            My heart stopped

v     Sticking your neck out                                 Heartfelt

v     Pain in the neck                                           Follow your heart –not your head

v     Turn the other cheek                                    No guts-no glory

v     Saving face                                                  Gut feeling

v     She has eyes in back of her head             Butterflies in stomach

v     Its like a slap in the face                              Staving

v     Eyes wide open                                           Hungry to win

v     I’m all ears                                                     Lost my appetite

v     Don’t be so nosey                                       Fire in the belly

v     Don’t stick your nose in other peoples business

v     It left a bad taste in my mouth                     Stabbed in the back

v     Get the juices flowing                                  Arching over backwards for you

v      Whets the appetite                                     Pissed off

v     Over reaching                                              Kick butt

v     Far reaching                                                 Needs a kick in the pants

v     Get a grip                                                     Its cool, its hip

v     Hang on                                                        Knee jerk reaction

v     Carrying the wt of the world                        Sure footed

v     Taking up arms                                            Feet on the ground

v     All right                                                          Think on your feet

v     Elbow grease                                               He has 2 left feet

v     Elbow room                                                  He dug his heels in

v     Holding on for dear life                                Outstanding

v     Gave him the cold shoullder                       Upright in the world

v     Pivot, pivotal, able to turn on a dime         Step over the line

v     Feeling weak in the knees                          Baby steps

v     Well balanced                                              One step at a time

v     Flexible                                                         Feel the gravity of the situation

v     Unfold                                                            He just lied down

v     Jump off the deep end                                Sleep on it

v     Fall in love