make someone’s jaw drop: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘make someone's jaw drop’ mean?
The idiom "make someone's jaw drop" means to surprise or shock someone to the extent that their mouth hangs open in astonishment.
Idiom Explorer
When someone's jaw drops, it means they are extremely surprised or shocked by something they have just heard or seen.
To "scare someone to death" means to frighten someone so severely that it causes them extreme fear or shock.
Idiom: scare someone to death
The idiom "say that" is used to express surprise or disbelief when someone makes a statement that is unexpected or hard to believe.
The idiom "run someone off their feet" means to keep someone extremely busy or overwhelmed with work or tasks.
The idiom "reduce someone to tears" means to make someone cry or become extremely upset.
The idiom "reduce someone to tears" is a well-known expression in the English language. It is often used to describe a situation where a person becomes extremely emotional and starts crying. The phrase suggests that something has had such a profound impact on someone that their emotions have overwhelmed them to the point of tears.
The idiom "read someone's lips" means to carefully watch someone's mouth movements in order to understand what they are saying, especially when it is difficult to hear or understand them.
The idiom "raise someone's hackles" means to make someone very angry or annoyed.
The idiom "raise eyebrows" means to cause surprise, curiosity, or disapproval. It suggests that something is unexpected or unusual, often leading others to question or doubt the situation or action.
The idiom "punch someone's lights out" means to punch someone so hard that they lose consciousness or their lights go out. It is a metaphorical way to describe a powerful punch that knocks someone unconscious.
Jaws Dropped: Unveiling the Secret
The idiom "make someone's jaw drop" is related to the idiom "someone's jaw dropped." When someone's jaw drops, it means that they are surprised or shocked by something. The physical reaction of the mouth falling open in astonishment is the common factor between these two idioms. They both convey a sense of awe or disbelief in response to something unexpected.
Another related idiom is "make someone's ears sad." This idiom is used to describe something that is unpleasant or disheartening to hear. Just as something shocking can make someone's jaw drop, something saddening can make someone's ears sad.
Similarly, the idiom "make someone's teeth itch" is related to "make someone's jaw drop." While the latter conveys surprise or shock, the former conveys irritation or annoyance. It describes a situation that is bothersome to someone, causing them to feel uncomfortable or unsettled.
Additionally, the idiom "make someone's skin crawl" is another related expression. It is used to convey a feeling of disgust or repulsion. Like "make someone's jaw drop," it describes a strong emotional reaction to something, but in this case, it is a negative reaction.
Lastly, the idiom "on stun" is also related to "make someone's jaw drop." "On stun" is an expression used to describe being in a state of shock or disbelief. It signifies a moment when someone is so astonished that they are temporarily unable to react or respond.
Now, let's explore some examples of how these idioms can be used in context:
Imagine you are at an awards ceremony, and the winner of the coveted "Best Actor" category is about to be announced. The anticipation in the room is palpable. When the presenter finally opens the envelope and calls out the winner's name, the crowd collectively holds its breath. As the winner's name is spoken, someone's jaw drops in astonishment. The unexpected nature of the announcement leaves everyone in awe, their mouths agape.
As the night continues, an actress takes the stage to receive an award for her outstanding performance. In her acceptance speech, she shares a personal story about overcoming adversity. The audience listens intently, their ears engaged in her powerful words. However, during her speech, she mentions a heartbreaking loss in her life. This revelation makes someone's ears sad, as they empathize with the pain and sorrow she has experienced.
Later on, a renowned comedian steps up to the mic, ready to entertain the audience with their witty humor. As they begin their routine, they make a series of offensive and insensitive jokes that make someone's teeth itch. The audience's discomfort is palpable, as they squirm in their seats, unable to find the jokes amusing. The comedian's words grate against their sensibilities, causing them to feel irritated and unsettled.
In another scenario, a group of friends decides to watch a horror movie together. As they sit in a darkened room, the tension builds with each suspenseful scene. Suddenly, a jump scare occurs, causing someone's skin to crawl. The unexpected fright sends shivers down their spine, making them feel repulsed by what they have just witnessed.
Lastly, imagine a professional conference where a renowned expert is giving a keynote speech. The audience is eager to hear their insights and ideas. However, as the expert begins to speak, they make a controversial statement that puts everyone "on stun." The sheer audacity of the statement leaves everyone momentarily speechless, unable to comprehend what they have just heard.
The idiom "make someone's jaw drop" is related to several other idioms that describe strong emotional reactions. The idiom "someone's jaw dropped" signifies surprise or shock, while "make someone's ears sad" conveys sadness or disheartenment. "Make someone's teeth itch" expresses irritation or annoyance, and "make someone's skin crawl" connotes disgust or repulsion. Finally, "on stun" describes a state of shock or disbelief. These idioms capture different facets of intense emotional experiences, adding color and emphasis to our conversations and expressions.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "make someone's jaw drop" can be used in a sentence:
- When she walked into the party, her stunning outfit made everyone's jaw drop.
- The magician's incredible trick made the audience's jaws drop in astonishment.
- The news of his unexpected promotion made his colleague's jaws drop with surprise.
More "Surprise" idioms
