Put Body and Soul into Idiom: Meaning, Origin, Usage & Exercises

Idioms often add color and intensity to conversations. One such powerful and common idiom in IELTS Speaking is ‘put body and soul into’, which paints a vivid picture of complete dedication and wholehearted involvement. This expression signifies investing one’s entire energy, passion, and emotional strength into a task. 

This blog explores the meaning, origin, and IELTS-specific usage of the 'put body and soul into something' idiom, along with exercises to solidify your understanding.

Put Body and Soul Into Idiom: Meaning

The idiom ‘put body and soul into' means to devote all of one’s energy, passion, and determination into a task or activity. In simpler terms, it means ‘to give your full dedication and commitment’.

It is not just about working hard but about immersing oneself completely, both physically and emotionally.

Origin of Put Body and Soul Into Idiom

The phrase ‘put body and soul into something’ has roots in older English expressions that emphasize the unity of body and soul as a representation of one’s entire being. 

While its exact origin is difficult to trace, it reflects a longstanding idea in literature and philosophy: when you put both your physical energy (body) and your inner essence (soul) into something, you achieve the highest form of dedication. It began appearing more frequently in the 19th and 20th centuries in speeches and writings to emphasize wholehearted commitment.

Put Body and Soul Into Idiom Usage

Let us go through some examples that will help you learn the idiom ‘put body and soul into’ effectively and achieve your desired IELTS band score.

• I put body and soul into this project, which is the whole future of my company.
• To gain the good prospects of promotion, he puts body and soul into his work.
• Jack is an industrious person; whenever he does something, he puts body and soul into it.
• She put body and soul into preparing for the marathon, training every day without fail.
• The young entrepreneur put body and soul into her startup, working 16-hour days to make it succeed.
• She put body and soul into caring for her children, ensuring they had everything they needed.

Put Body and Soul Into Idiom: Synonyms and Related Phrases

In the table below, you will find the common idioms list for IELTS Speaking related to the idiom ‘put body and soul’.

Put Body and Soul Into Idiom: Detailed Usage in IELTS Contexts

Now, it is time to explore how the ‘put body and soul into’ idiom can be applied effectively across various IELTS exam contexts, with sample answers tailored to common topics.

IELTS Speaking Part 1

• Question: Do you enjoy any hobbies or activities in your free time?
• Sample Answer: “Yes, I love painting. Whenever I pick up a brush, I put body and soul into creating my artwork, as it allows me to express myself deeply.”

IELTS Speaking Part 2

• Cue Card: Describe a Project You have Worked on in Your School/College/Office.
• Answer Excerpt: “I would like to talk about a community event I organized last year. I put body and soul into planning every detail, from arranging the venue to coordinating with volunteers. It was exhausting but rewarding.”

Put Body and Soul Into Idiom: Practice Exercises

Take the following exercises, which will help you learn the correct usage of the idiom ‘put body and soul’, allowing you to understand its meaning and application.

1 Maria had only three weeks to prepare for her IELTS exam. She studied day and night, revising practice tests and writing essays. ➜ To succeed, Maria really ________________.

2 The community organised a fundraising event after a flood. Volunteers worked tirelessly, carrying supplies, coordinating donations, and encouraging one another. ➜ The volunteers __________________________ to make the event successful.

3 Rahul wanted to become a professional pianist. He practised for hours daily, memorised complex pieces, and never missed a lesson. ➜ Rahul knew that to achieve his dream, he had to __________________________

4 The idiom suggests commitment of:

A Money only

B Physical effort only

C Entire being – both energy and passion

D No effort

5 What is the closest idiom to ‘put body and soul into’?

A Cutting corners

B Go the extra mile

C Sitting on the fence

D Under the weather

6 Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?

A He put body and soul into training for the competition.

B She put body and soul into ignoring her work.

C They put body and soul into wasting time.

D I put body and soul into procrastination.

Put Body and Soul Into Idiom: Answer Key for Practice Exercises

To conclude, the idiom ‘put body and soul into’ is an excellent way to describe unwavering dedication and passion. Whether you are preparing for the IELTS exam, working on a project, or chasing a personal dream, understanding this idiom will help you articulate effort and devotion in an impactful way. Therefore, practice with real scenarios, experiment with your speaking responses for IELTS Speaking practice tests, and demonstrate both fluency and depth of vocabulary.

Useful Links:

• Put Your Feet Up Idiom: Meaning, Origin, Usage & Exercises 
• Get down to Business Idiom: Meaning, Origin, Usage & Exercises 
• Live and Breathe Something Idiom: Meaning, Origin, Usage & Exercises
• Raise Your Game - Idiom of the Day for IELTS Speaking & Writing
• IELTS Speaking Lessons: Improve Fluency, Vocabulary & Band Score
• IELTS Speaking Vocabulary - 30 Academic Words That Will Help You Score IELTS Band 9 (Part 1)
• How to Improve Your Vocabulary Score in IELTS Writing and Speaking?