Teeth are not just for chewing food or showing a bright smile. In English, people use the word “teeth” in many phrases to talk about ideas, feelings, or actions. These special phrases are called idioms. An idiom doesn’t mean exactly what the words say. It means something different, and often more interesting.

Idioms with “teeth” can be funny, serious, or even a little tricky to understand at first. But once you learn them, they make talking and writing more fun. In this lesson, you’ll learn what these idioms mean and how to use them. This will help you understand stories, shows, or even adults better when they speak. Let’s explore some “teeth” idioms and what they really mean.

Idioms about Teeth

1. By the skin of your teeth

Meaning: Just barely
Within a Sentence: I caught the bus by the skin of my teeth. / She passed the test by the skin of her teeth.
In Other Words: Just made it / Almost didn’t

2. Kick in the teeth

Meaning: Something unfair or upsetting
Within a Sentence: Losing the game was a kick in the teeth. / It felt like a kick in the teeth when my friend left.
In Other Words: Felt bad / Hurt feelings

3. Armed to the teeth

Meaning: Fully prepared (sometimes with lots of tools or gear)
Within a Sentence: He was armed to the teeth for the camping trip. / She was armed to the teeth with snacks.
In Other Words: Ready with everything / Had all the stuff

4. Sink your teeth into

Meaning: To start something with a lot of effort
Within a Sentence: I can’t wait to sink my teeth into this new game. / She sank her teeth into the art project.
In Other Words: Get started / Work hard on

5. Show your teeth

Meaning: To fight back or defend yourself
Within a Sentence: He showed his teeth when kids were being mean. / She showed her teeth during the game.
In Other Words: Stand up for yourself / Don’t stay quiet

6. Cut your teeth on

Meaning: Learn or gain early experience
Within a Sentence: He cut his teeth on school plays. / I cut my teeth on writing short stories.
In Other Words: First learned / Got started

7. Fight tooth and nail

Meaning: Fight very hard for something
Within a Sentence: I fought tooth and nail to win the race. / She fought tooth and nail to keep her spot.
In Other Words: Tried hard / Didn’t give up

8. Long in the tooth

Meaning: Getting old
Within a Sentence: That car is getting long in the tooth. / Grandpa says he’s long in the tooth.
In Other Words: Older now / Not new anymore

9. Sweet tooth

Meaning: Loving sweet food
Within a Sentence: I have a sweet tooth for chocolate. / She always wants candy what a sweet tooth!
In Other Words: Loves sweets / Always wants sugar

10. Lie through your teeth

Meaning: Tell a bold lie
Within a Sentence: He lied through his teeth about cleaning his room. / She lied through her teeth during the game.
In Other Words: Didn’t tell the truth / Big lie

11. Grit your teeth

Meaning: Stay strong in a tough time
Within a Sentence: I had to grit my teeth during the long walk. / She gritted her teeth and finished the race.
In Other Words: Be brave / Keep going

12. Cut to the teeth

Meaning: Deeply affected or hurt
Within a Sentence: His words cut me to the teeth. / I was cut to the teeth by her joke.
In Other Words: Hurt my feelings / Felt bad

13. Kick someone in the teeth

Meaning: Do something that hurts or disappoints someone
Within a Sentence: Losing my toy was like a kick in the teeth. / Being left out felt like a kick in the teeth.
In Other Words: Felt unfair / Hurt inside

14. All teeth and no bite

Meaning: Looks scary but not really dangerous
Within a Sentence: The dog barked, but he was all teeth and no bite. / My teacher sounds strict but she’s all teeth and no bite.
In Other Words: Not as tough as they seem

15. Bare your teeth

Meaning: Show anger
Within a Sentence: He bared his teeth when someone cheated. / She bared her teeth in the game.
In Other Words: Got mad / Showed she was upset

16. Flash your pearly whites

Meaning: Smile
Within a Sentence: She flashed her pearly whites for the picture. / I saw his pearly whites from across the room.
In Other Words: Gave a big smile / Smiled wide

17. Like pulling teeth

Meaning: Very hard to do
Within a Sentence: Getting my brother to clean up is like pulling teeth. / Homework today felt like pulling teeth.
In Other Words: So difficult / Not easy

18. Show your fangs

Meaning: Act tough or mean
Within a Sentence: He showed his fangs during the game. / She showed her fangs when she didn’t get her way.
In Other Words: Got serious / Didn’t play nice

19. A toothy grin

Meaning: A big smile with teeth showing
Within a Sentence: He gave me a toothy grin after the joke. / Her toothy grin was hard to miss.
In Other Words: Smiled big / Showed all her teeth

20. Sink teeth in

Meaning: Start something with energy (similar to #4)
Within a Sentence: I sank my teeth into the puzzle. / She couldn’t wait to sink her teeth into the pizza.
In Other Words: Got into it / Started with energy

21. Teeth chatter

Meaning: Shaking from cold or fear
Within a Sentence: My teeth chattered in the snow. / His teeth chattered before the speech.
In Other Words: Was cold / Felt nervous

22. Cut like a knife through teeth

Meaning: Sharp and painful (rare idiom)
Within a Sentence: Her words cut like a knife through teeth. / That loss cut like a knife through my teeth.
In Other Words: Hurt deeply / Felt sharp

23. Bite your teeth

Meaning: Hold back words or feelings
Within a Sentence: I bit my teeth and stayed quiet. / She bit her teeth to keep from crying.
In Other Words: Stayed calm / Didn’t react

24. Have a tooth for something

Meaning: Want something badly
Within a Sentence: I have a tooth for cookies. / She has a tooth for winning.
In Other Words: Loves / Wants a lot

25. Sink your canines into it

Meaning: Get fully involved (playful version)
Within a Sentence: Let’s sink our canines into this project. / He sank his canines into the book.
In Other Words: Jumped in / Got started

26. A mouth full of teeth

Meaning: Not saying anything
Within a Sentence: He had a mouth full of teeth during the argument. / She stayed quiet, just a mouth full of teeth.
In Other Words: Didn’t speak / Stayed silent

27. Bite with baby teeth

Meaning: Try hard but not strong yet
Within a Sentence: He bit with baby teeth in the tough match. / I’m biting with baby teeth at chess.
In Other Words: Still learning / Not powerful yet

28. Toothpick strength

Meaning: Very weak
Within a Sentence: His defense was like toothpick strength. / My old chair had toothpick strength.
In Other Words: Not strong / Very flimsy

29. All gums and no teeth

Meaning: Not ready or able to do something serious
Within a Sentence: His plan was all gums and no teeth. / The threat was all gums and no teeth.
In Other Words: Not real / Weak try

30. Leave a bad taste in your mouth

Meaning: Make you feel upset or unhappy
Within a Sentence: That movie left a bad taste in my mouth. / The ending left a bad taste in her mouth.
In Other Words: Didn’t feel good / Wasn’t nice

31. Tooth fairy promise

Meaning: A sweet but fake promise
Within a Sentence: That deal sounded like a tooth fairy promise. / She gave a tooth fairy promise about homework.
In Other Words: Not real / Made-up talk

32. Chew someone out

Meaning: Yell or scold
Within a Sentence: Coach chewed us out for being late. / Dad chewed me out for spilling milk.
In Other Words: Got mad / Told off

33. Bite back

Meaning: Return a mean comment or action
Within a Sentence: She bit back after the insult. / I bit back when they laughed at me.
In Other Words: Fought back / Replied strong

34. Toothless grin

Meaning: A silly or harmless smile
Within a Sentence: His toothless grin made me laugh. / Grandma gave a toothless grin.
In Other Words: Funny / Gentle smile

35. Have a full set of teeth

Meaning: Be ready and strong
Within a Sentence: That team had a full set of teeth! / She came to the contest with a full set of teeth.
In Other Words: Very ready / Strong

36. Give your eye teeth

Meaning: Really want something
Within a Sentence: I’d give my eye teeth for a ticket to the game. / She’d give her eye teeth to meet the singer.
In Other Words: Really wish / Want badly

37. As sharp as a tooth

Meaning: Very smart
Within a Sentence: He’s as sharp as a tooth in math. / Her thinking is as sharp as a tooth.
In Other Words: Clever / Quick

38. Cut deep into your teeth

Meaning: Make a strong mark or impression
Within a Sentence: That moment cut deep into my teeth. / Her words cut deep into my teeth.
In Other Words: Unforgettable / Strong impact

39. Bite your lip, not your teeth

Meaning: Hold back feelings or anger
Within a Sentence: I bit my lip, not my teeth, during the talk. / She bit her lip, not her teeth, to stay calm.
In Other Words: Stayed cool / Didn’t get mad

40. Lost your bite

Meaning: Not as strong or brave as before
Within a Sentence: He lost his bite after the first round. / That team lost their bite after halftime.
In Other Words: Weaker now / Not scary

41. Teeth marks on your soul

Meaning: Emotional pain or memory
Within a Sentence: That day left teeth marks on my soul. / The goodbye had teeth marks on my heart.
In Other Words: Still hurts / Still remember

42. Too many teeth in the mouth

Meaning: Too many people involved
Within a Sentence: The meeting had too many teeth in the mouth. / There were too many teeth in the mouth at the party.
In Other Words: Too crowded / Too many voices

43. Bite into time

Meaning: Take up time
Within a Sentence: Homework really bites into my free time. / The long speech bit into our lunch.
In Other Words: Uses up / Takes time

44. No teeth left

Meaning: No power or chance
Within a Sentence: That team had no teeth left after the first round. / My plan had no teeth left when it rained.
In Other Words: No strength / No hope

45. Chewed up and spit out

Meaning: Treated badly and left behind
Within a Sentence: I felt chewed up and spit out after that test. / She looked chewed up and spit out after practice.
In Other Words: Tired / Worn out

46. Jaws full of trouble

Meaning: About to face a big problem
Within a Sentence: He walked into jaws full of trouble. / That plan had jaws full of trouble.
In Other Words: In big trouble / Bad spot

47. Hold it between your teeth

Meaning: Keep something a secret or under control
Within a Sentence: I held the secret between my teeth. / She held back her anger between her teeth.
In Other Words: Keep quiet / Stay strong

48. Talk through clenched teeth

Meaning: Speak while angry
Within a Sentence: He talked through clenched teeth when he was mad. / She talked through clenched teeth during the game.
In Other Words: Angry voice / Forced words

49. Bite off more than you can chew

Meaning: Try something too big or hard
Within a Sentence: I bit off more than I could chew with three clubs. / She bit off more than she could chew in that race.
In Other Words: Took on too much / Too hard

50. Catch someone’s teeth

Meaning: Make someone stop or pay attention
Within a Sentence: That shout caught my teeth. / The loud music caught his teeth.
In Other Words: Got attention / Made stop

51. Tooth-tight

Meaning: Very close or tight
Within a Sentence: That game was tooth-tight. / The scores were tooth-tight all day.
In Other Words: Really close / Almost the same

52. Smile through your teeth

Meaning: Pretend to be happy
Within a Sentence: He smiled through his teeth even though he was upset. / She smiled through her teeth at the party.
In Other Words: Fake smile / Not real

53. Scrape your teeth

Meaning: Barely get by
Within a Sentence: I scraped my teeth to pass the test. / We scraped our teeth to make it to the bus.
In Other Words: Just made it / Barely enough

54. Toothpick promise

Meaning: Weak or flimsy promise
Within a Sentence: That was a toothpick promise it broke fast. / Her word felt like a toothpick promise.
In Other Words: Can’t trust / Not strong

55. Bite the silver spoon

Meaning: Complain even when lucky
Within a Sentence: Don’t bite the silver spoon you have a lot! / He bit the silver spoon when he didn’t like the fancy meal.
In Other Words: Ungrateful / Complains a lot

56. Keep your teeth clean

Meaning: Stay out of trouble
Within a Sentence: I try to keep my teeth clean at school. / He kept his teeth clean all year.
In Other Words: Follow rules / Stay good

57. Have something stuck in your teeth

Meaning: Bothered by a small thing
Within a Sentence: That bad grade felt stuck in my teeth. / Her comment stayed stuck in my teeth.
In Other Words: Can’t forget / Still bothers

58. Gnash your teeth

Meaning: Show anger or pain
Within a Sentence: He gnashed his teeth after the loss. / She gnashed her teeth at the mistake.
In Other Words: Got mad / Felt bad

59. Crack your teeth

Meaning: Speak too soon or say something wrong
Within a Sentence: I cracked my teeth by bragging too early. / He cracked his teeth and lost the bet.
In Other Words: Spoke too soon / Said the wrong thing

60. Brush it off with your teeth

Meaning: Shake off trouble or mistake
Within a Sentence: I brushed it off with my teeth and kept going. / She brushed off the mistake with her teeth.
In Other Words: Moved on / Didn’t let it stop her

Idioms about Teeth – True/False Quiz

1. If someone “lies through their teeth,” they are telling the truth.
    True / False
2. Saying “I caught the bus by the skin of my teeth” means you just barely made it.
    True / False
3. If your “teeth are chattering,” you are feeling very brave.
    True / False
4. “Like pulling teeth” means something is easy and fun.
    True / False
5. A “sweet tooth” means you really like candy or desserts.
    True / False
6. “Fight tooth and nail” means you tried very hard to win or protect something.
    True / False
7. If someone is “long in the tooth,” they are very young.
    True / False
8. A “toothy grin” is a big smile that shows teeth.
    True / False
9. If something “leaves a bad taste in your mouth,” it means you enjoyed it a lot.
    True / False
10. Saying “chewed up and spit out” means someone was treated very gently.
     True / False
11. A “tooth fairy promise” is a strong and honest deal.
     True / False
12. If you “bare your teeth,” you are showing you’re angry or ready to fight.
     True / False
13. “Bite off more than you can chew” means you took on too much work.
     True / False
14. “Smile through your teeth” means you’re really happy and relaxed.
     True / False
15. When someone has a “mouth full of teeth,” it means they are talking a lot.
     True / False

Answer Key

1. False
2. True
3. False
4. False
5. True
6. True
7. False
8. True
9. False
10. False
11. False
12. True
13. True
14. False
15. False

Scoring Guide

• 15 Correct Answers: Teeth Idioms Master!
• 10–14 Correct Answers: You really get teeth idioms, nice work!
• 6–9 Correct Answers: You’re learning, keep going!
• 0–5 Correct Answers: Let’s learn about teeth idioms together!

Conclusion

Idioms about teeth are used in fun and clever ways. They help people explain feelings, actions, or moments using just a few words. Even though these idioms don’t always talk about real teeth, they add style to how we speak and write.

By learning these idioms, you can understand stories, shows, or even jokes better. You can also use them to make your own speaking or writing more colorful. So next time you hear someone say they “fought tooth and nail,” you’ll know exactly what they mean.