大象传媒

Joints (knees, elbows, wrists etc.) connect one part of our body to another part.

There are lots of English expressions, idioms and proverbs which refer to the joints. For example, Molly says to Alice 'Ooh, getting your knuckles rapped by matron?' which means Molly thinks matron is going to speak angrily to Alice because she has done something wrong.

Here's a selection of some common expressions using joints:

neck and neck
very close in a competition, each person has an equal chance of winning
Example: After their presentations, Jack and Michelle were neck and neck. Then it was all down to the interview to decide which one would get the job.

breathe down someone's neck
stay close to someone, supervising them and watching everything that they do
Example: Even if your teenagers tell you you're breathing down their necks, it's important you know what they're up to and where they're going. So don't be afraid to ask.

head and shoulders above
clear winner, a lot better
Example: His paintings are much better than everyone else's in the
competition. His work is clearly head and shoulders above all the other entries.

shoulder the responsibility / blame / burden
accept something that is difficult or bad
Example: When it became clear the Finance Minister had been
taking bribes, the Prime Minister sacked him and then shouldered the blame and handed in her own resignation.

give someone the elbow
end a romantic relationship with someone
Example: I wanted to settle down with Ben and have kids but he said he wasn't ready. So I gave him the elbow and the very next day, I met this nice man in the office called Jim. And that's how I met your father!

More power to your elbow!
an expression we use to show praise or admiration for someone
Example: You're really packing in your dull office job and heading off around the world? More Power to your elbow!

rap someone's knuckles / rap someone over the knuckles
speak officially to someone, in a severe or angry way, because
you disapprove of their actions
Example: The boss rapped his knuckles for being late twice this week. He'd better be a bit more punctual if he's serious about wanting promotion.

near the knuckle (informal)
about sex and so likely to offend people
Example: Nearly everyone thought he was funny but Marie thought some of his jokes were a bit near the knuckle.

hip
fashionable
Example: I can't keep up with you young people. One minute short skirts are hip, the next they're out of style.

Hip, hip hooray / hurray!
an expression that is called out, usually by a group of people at the same time, to express approval of someone or to congratulate them Example: Three cheers for Anita on her 21st birthday. Hip, hip, hooray!

at your mother's knee
when you were a child
Example: I learned that song at my mother's knee. I loved singing it with her when I was young.

be knee-high to a grasshopper
be very small or young
Example: She was really talented, even as a child. She's been able to sing and dance since she was knee-high to a grasshopper.