-
1any of the hard white structures in the mouth used for biting and chewing food I've just had a tooth out at the dentist's. to brush/clean your teeth tooth decay She answered through clenched teeth (= opening her mouth only a little because of anger). The cat sank its teeth into his finger. Topic CollocationsPhysical AppearanceA person may be described as having:eyes
- (bright) blue/green/(dark/light) brown/hazel eyes
- deep-set/sunken/bulging/protruding eyes
- small/beady/sparkling/twinkling/shifty eyes
- piercing/penetrating/steely eyes
- bloodshot/watery/puffy eyes
- bushy/thick/dark/raised/arched eyebrows
- long/dark/thick/curly/false eyelashes/lashes
- a flat/bulbous/pointed/sharp/snub nose
- a straight/a pointy/a Roman/an aquiline nose
- full/thick/thin/pouty lips
- dry/chapped/cracked lips
- flushed/rosy/red/ruddy/pale cheeks
- soft/chubby/sunken cheeks
- white/perfect/crooked/protruding teeth
- a large/high/broad/wide forehead
- a strong/weak/pointed/double chin
- a long/full/bushy/wispy beard
- a full/thin goatee
- a long/thin/bushy/droopy/handlebar/pencil mustache
- pale/fair/olive/dark/tanned skin
- dry/oily/smooth/rough/leathery/wrinkled skin
- a dark/pale/light/sallow/ruddy/olive/swarthy/clear complexion
- deep/fine/small/facial wrinkles
- blonde/blond/fair/(light/dark) brown/(jet-)black/auburn/red/ginger/gray hair
- straight/curly/wavy/frizzy/spiky hair
- thick/thin/fine/bushy/thinning hair
- dyed/bleached/soft/silky/dry/greasy/shiny hair
- long/short/shoulder-length/cropped hair
- a bald/balding/shaved head
- a receding hairline
- a bald patch/spot
- a side/center part
- a long/short/thick/slender/ (disapproving) scrawny neck
- broad/narrow/sloping/rounded/hunched shoulders
- a bare/broad/muscular/small/large chest
- a flat/round/swollen/bulging stomach
- a small/tiny/narrow/slim/slender/28-inch waist
- big/wide/narrow/slim hips
- a straight/bent/arched/broad/hairy back
- thin/slender/muscular arms
- big/large/small/manicured/calloused/gloved hands
- long/short/fat/slender/delicate/bony fingers
- long/muscular/hairy/shapely/ (informal) (often disapproving) skinny/spindly legs
- muscular/chubby/ (informal) (disapproving) flabby thighs/calves
- big/little/small/dainty/wide/narrow/bare feet
- a good/slim/slender/hourglass figure
- be of slim/medium/average/large/athletic/stocky build
-
2a narrow pointed part that sticks out of an object the teeth on a saw The teeth of the cog should fit into these grooves. see also fine-tooth comb
- 1to bite your teeth tightly together She gritted her teeth against the pain. “Stop it!” he said through gritted teeth.
- 2to be determined to continue to do something in a difficult or unpleasant situation It started to rain harder, but we gritted our teeth and kept going.
- 1despite problems, opposition, etc. The new policy was adopted in the teeth of fierce criticism.
- 2in the direction that a strong wind is coming from They crossed the bay in the teeth of a howling gale.
having many weapons
to show your teeth in an aggressive and threatening way The dog bared its teeth and growled.
if you do something by the skin of your teeth, you only just manage to do it He escaped defeat by the skin of his teeth.
to do something that gives you your first experience of a particular type of work She cut her teeth on local radio.
(of a baby) to grow a new tooth
used to say that you should punish someone by doing to them what they have done to you or to someone else They advocate a justice system that works on the principle of an eye for an eye.
to fight in a very determined way for what you want The residents are fighting tooth and nail to stop the new development.
to become very enthusiastic about something that you have started to do so that you are unlikely to stop until you have finished
to put a lot of effort and enthusiasm into something that is difficult enough to keep you interested Choose an essay topic that you can really get your teeth into.
used when you are saying that you want something very much I'd give my eyeteeth to own a car like that.
to feel very angry and upset about something, especially because you cannot get what you want He'll be gnashing his teeth when he hears that we lost the contract. The news caused great wailing and gnashing of teeth.
to like food that contains a lot of sugar
(of an organization, a law, etc.) to be powerful and effective
to disappoint someone greatly or fail to give them help when they need it
a great disappointment; something that hurts someone or something emotionally The job losses are a kick in the teeth for the union.
to say something that is not true at all The witness was clearly lying through his teeth.
old or too old This originally referred to the fact that a horse's teeth appear to be longer as it grows older, because its gums shrink.
(of a sound or taste) to make someone feel physically uncomfortable Just the sound of her voice sets my teeth on edge.
Check pronunciation: tooth