Idiom: 'a feeling in my gut'

Haihao · Wed Nov 01, 2006 5:33 am *Idiom: 'a feeling in my gut'*

English Idioms and Expressions, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #18 "Common English Idioms", question 5

I have a feeling in my gut that one of the employees is giving information about His boss to another company.

(a) strong fear
(b) really strong instinct
(c) slight hint
(d) a lot of proof

English Idioms and Expressions, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #18 "Common English Idioms", answer 5

I have a really strong instinct that one of the employees is giving information about His boss to another company.

Correct answer: (b) really strong instinct

Your answer was: correct
_________________________

What is the difference between feel in one's gut and feel in one's bone?

haihao

Canadian45 · Wed Nov 01, 2006 6:40 am *Idiom: 'a feeling in my gut'*

1...In North America, one practically never says "a feeling in my gut"; we say "a gut feeling".
2...As far as bones are concerned, we usually say "I (can) feel it in my bones."
The weather is going to change; I (can) feel it in my bones.
I'm getting old; I (can) feel it in my bones.

So generally gut feeling refers to nonphysical things like an instinct whereas feel it in my bones refers to physical things.

Let us see if someone else has a different take on this.

Alan · Wed Nov 01, 2006 8:11 am *Idiom: 'a feeling in my gut'*

Hi,

I must admit 'I have a feeling in my gut' is a new one to me. I would say on this island it would be 'a feeling in my guts'.

A
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Start or begin?

Haihao · Wed Nov 01, 2006 8:26 am *Idiom: 'a feeling in my gut'*

Good morning Alan,

You used in your comment the term 'on this island'. Could we use likewise the term 'on this archipelago' refering to Japan insted of using 'in'?

haihao

Alan · Wed Nov 01, 2006 8:32 am *Idiom: 'a feeling in my gut'*

Seems all right to me.

A
_________________
English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Only Three Letters

Yankee · Wed Nov 01, 2006 11:06 am *Idiom: 'a feeling in my gut'*

I agree with Canadian45:

People don't normally say "I have a feeling in my gut". This would be unusual, but not wrong.

"I have a gut feeling" would be a much more typical way to say this (in North America).

Amy

Tom · Fri Dec 15, 2006 16:39 pm *Idiom: 'a feeling in my gut'*

Why capital H? His boss??

Tom

Yankee · Fri Dec 15, 2006 17:30 pm *Idiom: 'a feeling in my gut'*

.
That's a typo, Tom. Has Torsten put you to work as a proofreader? Very Happy

.

Prezbucky · Fri Dec 15, 2006 17:50 pm *Idiom: 'a feeling in my gut'*

Alan and Haihao, a few posts back, engaged in some interesting interplay, which got me thinking...

On vs. In

I say "on the floor"

My ex says "in the floor"

I believe that "in the floor" is incorrect.
_________________
Billie Jean is not my lover. Hee.

James · Mon Dec 18, 2006 1:21 am *Idiom: 'a feeling in my gut'*

James · Mon Dec 18, 2006 1:30 am *Idiom: 'a feeling in my gut'*

.
...In the floor is possible. e.g. crack in the floor, etc.
.

Yankee · Mon Dec 18, 2006 5:19 am *Idiom: 'a feeling in my gut'*

James · Mon Dec 18, 2006 6:21 am *Idiom: 'a feeling in my gut'*

Yankee · Mon Dec 18, 2006 6:35 am *Idiom: 'a feeling in my gut'*

"James" you seem to be bent on being as unpleasant as possible.

As far as I'm concerned, if you can read sarcasm into my simple question (which was even followed by a smile), then it has something to do with your own negative outlook and lack of respect for others.

Tom suddenly started posting a mountain of questions about the ESL tests, and when I realized how many questions he was posting I finally asked him the question. There is hardly anything unusual about that -- especially in view of the fact that I have answered hundreds of Tom's questions and we know each other well at this point.

Amy

Tom · Mon Dec 18, 2006 6:41 am *Idiom: 'a feeling in my gut'*

	ESL Forums \| English Teacher Explanations (ESL Tests)	All times are GMT + 1 Hour Goto page 1, 2 Next
Page 1 of 2