ENGLISH
REFERENCE

body English

idiom
Meaning

A body motion made to coax an object already propelled to go in a desired direction.


Origin

first recorded 20th c.

First attested 1908.

Examples
SIMPLE

He used body English to help the ball roll into the hole.

CONTEXTUAL

As the bowling ball curved toward the gutter, she used intense body English to try to steer it back.

COMPLEX

The golfer twisted his torso in a desperate display of body English, hoping to influence the ball's trajectory as it neared the cup.

Anchors to
Related idioms4entries
  1. 01

    body blow

    A serious setback; a traumatizing event which prevents or hinders continuation of an activity.

  2. 02

    catch a body

    to kill, to murder

  3. 03

    move one's body

    To dance.

  4. 04

    warm body

    Any person who is present.

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