IdiomBody & Senses
English
Englishgray matter
Meaning: Brain tissue and, by extension, intelligence.
Example: “This crossword really exercises the gray matter.”
Origin: The expression refers to brain tissue, and suggests that one's intelligence is in direct proportion to size of one's brain.
More English idioms
- have one's head in the clouds To be impractical or absent-minded; to be unaware of what is going on around one.
- head over heels in love Very much in love; uncontrollably in love.
- heart to heart Serious and intimate.
- hit the nail on the head To come to the right conclusion.
- not hold one's breath To not wait for something to happen because it probably won't happen soon, if at all.
- hold one's tongue To refrain from speaking.
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