The surprising link between political strategy and health policies
You'd probably need bulletproof deodorant for this one, right?
This idiom is often used to describe someone who puts another in an undesirable situation. Literally throwing someone under the bus would be a lot worse!
Imagine if we traded eyeballs. I'd give you an eye, and you'd give me an eye back. Just like that!
Sure, the phrase is all about one's eagerness and readiness to listen to the other person. But imagine if it was taken literally!
You can help someone, but please don't cut your hand off and give it to them...
What does making eye contact actually mean? Does your eye and the other person's eye touch? Is there actual physical contact between eyes?
What if, every time you told a lie, your pants would catch on fire? We'd all probably be dead, or at least severely burned, by now.
How, exactly? Is there such a type of heart transplant? What's next, a head?
Please don't! These are just a few words of encouragement to do your best, not to be taken literally!
Sources: (Dictionary.com) (List25) (EC English)
See also: Funniest sayings from around the world
We just hope it's not too late when you actually find out...
Violence against animals is a crime. Violence against a dead animal is equally as despicable. Sure, the saying is about wasting energy on a lost cause, but just the thought of the literal meaning is pretty nauseating.
Again, a pretty gruesome image, right? This is actually a German proverb that dates back to 1512. It was then adopted by the English in the 1800s.
This popular idiom has been used since the 17th century. Hollywood could well make a movie based on it. Imagine a sort of 'Sharknado,' but with cats and dogs. It could work, right?
Many of us have heard this one, but hardly ever imagine a cat literally grabbing our tongue! Yeah, that one would hurt...
Not easy to imagine. Unless you're a tarsier. Even so, his eyes might not be bigger than his stomach.
Instead of using water, imagine firefighters using flamethrowers instead of firehoses to, well, fight fire with fire...
Yes, it's all about emotions, but imagine someone sewing one's heart onto a sleeve...
This is a popular expression used to wish someone good luck, mostly among performers. Imagine the person actually breaking a leg. Not cool!
This expression oozes cannibalism. No amount of jealousy or regret makes up for this image.
Can you actually peel your eyes? Like you'd do with bananas? That's just gross...
Literally picking someone's brain looks as gruesome as it sounds...
Is there such thing as a rent-a-ear? "Here's an ear. Give it back when you no longer need it."
How terrifying a sight would this be, right? Hard to imagine even the most talented of wolves pulling this con off.
How's that for bizarre currency? According to the idiom, an arm and a leg certainly pays for very expensive things. By the way, can I have two fingers as change, please?
This is actually an American idiom dating back to the 1950s. A can of worms should definitely be left alone...
Does this mean that someone tried different methods to skin a cat? Well, just don't! Don't mention it, and definitely don't try it!
It might feel like this sometimes when you get really angry or irritated, but the thought of your blood actually boiling is pretty scary!
This is associated with feelings of fear and dread, but having an actual heart pumping in one's mouth would be pretty gross, right?
Luckily the expression doesn't mean you're actually dead and standing on your feet like a zombie. It would be really creepy if it did, though.
Click through and check out how terrifying these everyday phrases sound when taken literally.
Common phrases that sound terrifying when taken literally
Some of these will make your skin crawl!
LIFESTYLE Idioms
Every day we use phrases and idioms that don't have a literal meaning. But what if they did? What if "picking one's brain" actually meant picking someone's brain with a toothpick? Or if "giving someone a hand" meant chopping off and handing over your hand? In this gallery, we look at common phrases that sound absolutely terrifying when taken literally. You could even say we're opening a can of worms...
Click through and check out how terrifying these everyday phrases sound when taken literally.