stomach

someone's eyes are bigger than their belly/stomach (humorous)

something that you say when someone has taken more food than they can eat. I can't finish this piece of cake. I'm afraid my eyes were bigger than my stomach as usual.

See also: belly, big, eye

feel sick to your stomach (American & Australian)

if something makes you feel sick to your stomach, it is so unpleasant that it makes you feel ill. Looking at those pieces of raw meat I felt sick to my stomach.

See also: feel, sick

have butterflies (in your stomach)

to feel very nervous, usually about something you are going to do. She had butterflies in her stomach as she walked out onto the stage.

See also: butterfly

not have the stomach for something

to not feel brave or determined enough to do something unpleasant. Demoralised and exhausted, the soldiers did not have the stomach for another fight.

a strong stomach

the ability to watch very unpleasant things without getting upset or feeling ill. Some of the war scenes are fairly horrific - you need to have a strong stomach to watch them. (often + to do something)

See also: strong

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have butterflies in your stomach

to feel very nervous. Her mouth was dry, there were butterflies in her stomach, and her knees were shaking so much it was hard to walk on stage.

See also: butterfly

not have the stomach (for something)

to not feel strong or brave enough to do something unpleasant. The soldiers did not have the stomach for another fight.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form not have the stomach to do something: I don't think I've got the stomach to argue with her again about money.

not have the heart (to do something)

your heart isn't in it

on an empty stomach

when you have not eaten anything. He left early this morning and drove three hours on an empty stomach.

See also: empty

settle your stomach

to make your stomach feel less upset. She found that a cup of tea usually settled her stomach.

See also: settle

sick to your stomach

feeling like you are going to vomit. When you saw the way his ankle was broken, you got sick to your stomach.

See also: sick

a strong stomach

the ability not to be upset by unpleasant things. You have to have a strong stomach to invest in the stock market these days.

See also: strong