CUSTOMS AND GESTURES IN UK Custom and gestures in UK (2) | Page 9

POLISHING YOUR FINGERNAILS

Blow hot air on the fingernails of your right hand or polish those fingernails on your shirt, perhaps making a gentle“ ha-ha” noise, is used to congratulate yourself, meaning something like“ Didn’ t I do well?” or“ I’ m pleased with myself. But be careful, this gesture can seem a bit arrogant sometimes!

CROSS YOUR HEART

With your right index finger draw cross over your heart, it means“ I promise( that I will do it / that or what I said is true)”, sometimes with the accompanying words“ Cross my heart” or maybe even the longer version“ Cross my heart, hope to die, stick a needle in my eye”..

ROLLING UP YOUR SLEEVES

In the same way as someone does before some physical work, exercise, do chores, etc., you can roll up your shirt sleeves to your elbows to mean that you are really getting“ down to business” or that you are going to start an important activity.

For more gestures go to: https:// www. usingenglish. com / articles / 80-british-gestures. html

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