all in one's head
Meaning: Imagined rather than real, or a matter of attitude.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “The noise upstairs is all in your head; nobody lives there.”
Category: Body & Senses
Origin: The head as the seat of thought, where a problem exists without outside cause. The phrase is common from the 20th century.
Equivalents in other languages
- Dutch: het zit tussen de oren — literally: between the ears
More idioms — Body & Senses
- stink to high heaven — To smell terrible; also, to seem very dishonest.
- dig one's heels in — To refuse stubbornly to change one's mind.
- the scales fall from one's eyes — To suddenly see the truth after being deceived.
- feet of clay — A hidden weakness in someone or something admired.
- get to grips with something — To start dealing seriously with a problem.
- get one's hands on something — To obtain something, often with difficulty.
More English idioms
- the truth will out — The truth cannot stay hidden forever.
- on a silver platter — Given to someone without any effort on their part.
- above board — Honest and open, with nothing hidden.
- stake a claim — To declare that something is yours, or that you have a right to it.
- raze to the ground — To destroy a building or town completely.
- the law of the jungle — A situation where the strongest or most ruthless win.
From our false friends
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