Idioms_body_leg

BBC Learning English

The Teacher

Leg idioms

The Teacher ? BBC Learning English Page 1 of 2 https://www.sodocs.net/doc/724003596.html,/multimedia/the_teacher/index.shtml

In this episode, The Teacher introduces you to three idiomatic phrases connected with leg.

1. I'm pulling your leg

2. It cost an arm and a leg

3. You haven't got a leg to stand on

Hello, I’m a very interesting and intelligent man.

And today these legs and I will be coming together to teach you some English idioms.

I bet you’ve never been taught by some legs before!

Do you like my legs?

Do you know I’m the current “Lovely Legs of Britain” champion?

Not really. I’m only pulling your leg!

In English, if you try to make someone believe something that isn't true, as a joke, we say I’m pulling your leg.

I’m pulling your leg.

What’s that you say? You’re going to give up learning English because this class is too silly?

Oh, ah no - you’re only pulling my leg.

Ah, my car.

I had to take it to the garage the other day and it was so expensive.

In fact, it cost an arm and a leg.

In English, if something is extremely expensive, we can say it cost an arm and a leg.

It cost an arm and a leg.

My boss.

He’s threatening to fire me …again …because he says I stole one of his ties.

But he didn’t see me take it, so he hasn’t got a leg to stand on.

In English, if you’re in a situation where you can’t prove something, we say, “you haven’t got a leg to stand on”.

You haven’t got a leg to stand on.

Oh, it's my boss…

The Teacher ? BBC Learning English 2007

Page 2 of 2

https://www.sodocs.net/doc/724003596.html,/multimedia/the_teacher/index.shtml