Teeth and mouths are often the focus of metaphors and idioms – often without us actively being aware of it. In our blog post, we explain what idioms and metaphors related to teeth mean and where they originate.
Idioms and metaphors about teeth and mouth
The most well-known sayings relating to teeth and mouth include:
- Move
- Crawling on the gums
- The ravages of time
- Grit your teeth
- Testing someone
Tooth phrase 1: Put on a tooth
Meaning: Hurry up! "Put a tooth in your mouth" is one of the most well-known dental sayings and means that you should hurry up or do something faster. The saying can be traced back to the Middle Ages – back then, pot racks with prongs, called "teeth," were used to speed up the cooking process.
Tooth saying 2: Crawling on the gums
Meaning: To be at the limit of one's endurance! This phrase describes the state in which one feels at one's limit due to external stresses, be they physical, psychological, economic, or financial. It is based on the comparison of worn-out gums to sore soles of the feet.
Tooth phrase 3: Gnawing on the ravages of time
Meaning: Everything has its time! This idiom means that something loses quality or wears out over time. Its origins can be found in both ancient Greece and Shakespeare's works.
Dental idiom 4: Clenching your teeth
Meaning: Having to endure something unpleasant! This phrase is used when one has to control oneself or endure something. It dates back to the 16th century and is intended to symbolically alleviate anger and pain.
Tooth phrase 5: To test someone
Meaning: Clarify honest intentions! This phrase is used to clarify a person's true motives or intentions and is historically rooted in dentistry at that time.
Expert tip: You can also check your teeth yourself – but not just literally. Thorough and regular dental care contributes significantly to the health of your mouth. Check your teeth regularly for deposits and plaque. We recommend using Mira-Dent 2-tone tooth-staining tablets , the emmi-dent ultrasonic toothbrush , and the matching emmi-dent toothpaste – this way you can gently but effectively remove deposits.
