English Idioms

Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms

Gut feeling

Meaning

The idiom "gut feeling" refers to an intuitive or instinctive sense of what is right or wrong, true or false, without any rational or logical explanation. It's a hunch or a sixth sense that can guide us in making decisions or predicting outcomes. It's often used to describe a personal conviction or belief that is based on one's emotions rather than on evidence or reasoning.

Usage

  • "I have a gut feeling that he's the right person for the job." (Implies that the speaker has a strong intuition about someone's suitability for a role.)
  • "She trusts her gut feeling and never regrets it." (Suggests that the speaker follows their instincts and doesn't question them.)
  • "I don't know why I feel this way, but my gut feeling is telling me to go with my instinct." (Indicates that the speaker has a vague sense of unease or confusion, but relies on their gut instinct to guide them.)
  • "He relies too much on his gut feeling and ignores evidence to the contrary." (Criticizes someone for being too trusting of their intuition and not considering other factors.)
  • "I have a bad gut feeling about this situation, but I can't put my finger on why." (Describes a sense of unease or discomfort without any clear explanation.) The usage of the idiom can vary depending on the context. It can be used to express a personal conviction or belief, to criticize someone for being too trusting of their intuition, or to describe a vague sense of unease or discomfort.

Roots and History

The idiom "gut feeling" has its roots in the 19th century and is believed to have originated from the belief that our gut could predict outcomes or warn us of danger. In ancient times, people believed that certain sensations or feelings in their stomach could be a sign of things to come. Over time, this belief evolved into the idiom we use today to describe an intuitive or instinctive sense of what is right or wrong.

Synonyms in English

  • Intuition
  • Instinct
  • Feeling
  • Gut instinct
  • Sense

Synonyms in other languages

  • French: "sentiment" (refers to a strong emotion or conviction)
  • Spanish: "intuición" (similar to the English word intuition)
  • German: "Gefühl" (similar to the English word feeling)
  • Italian: "senso" (refers to a sense or perception, not just intuition)
  • Russian: "чувство" (similar to the English word feeling)

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