English Reference
Idiom idiom

body English


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

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


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.


first recorded 20th c.

First attested 1908.


Related idioms5entries
  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

    know where the bodies are buried

    To possess confidential and incriminating information about a person's or organization's misdeeds or other secrets.

  4. 04

    move one's body

    To dance.

  5. 05

    warm body

    Any person who is present.

Last updated August 10, 2026