Stick your neck out

[0378] Get something off your chest

🎲 Bite your tongue
English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • To confess or reveal something that has been worrying you or causing anxiety, usually resulting in a feeling of relief.

Origin

  • Metaphorical. The chest area is traditionally associated with holding deep emotions or burdens (like a heavy weight).
  • Voicing the problem 'lifts' this metaphorical weight from your chest.
  • Became common around the mid-20th century.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • Come clean
  • Confess
  • Unburden oneself
  • Spill the beans (Often less about worry, more about revealing secrets)
  • Let it all out
  • Vent (Focuses more on expressing frustration/anger)
  • Own up to something (Admit fault)

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • Spill it / Spit it out (Urging someone to confess quickly/directly)
  • Lay it on me (Inviting someone to share their burden/problem)
  • 'Fess up (Casual for confessing, often implies minor wrongdoing)
  • Air one's grievances (Formal way of saying complain/vent)
  • Spill your guts (Informal, similar meaning)

More Formal:

  • I need to confide in you.
  • There's something I must disclose.
  • May I speak candidly/frankly?
  • I wish to unburden myself.

Situational Appropriateness

  • Informal to semi-formal.
  • Requires a level of trust between the speakers. Generally used in private conversations with friends, family, therapists, or trusted colleagues.
  • Not typically for highly formal or public settings.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • Emphasize the metaphorical nature – it's about emotional release through confession, not a physical action.

Examples

  • I need to talk to you later; there's something I need to get off my chest.
  • He finally got it off his chest and admitted he made a mistake.
  • You'll feel much better once you get it off your chest.

Dialogue

Sam: Hey, can we chat for a second? I really need to get something off my chest.

Chloe: Of course, Sam. What's going on?

Sam: I've been feeling really overwhelmed with the workload, and I'm worried I'm not keeping up.

Chloe: Oh, Sam. Thanks for telling me. It's good you shared that. Let's talk about how we can manage it.

Social Media Examples

  • Blog Post Title: Getting Something Off My Chest: My Struggles with Imposter Syndrome
  • Anonymous Forum Post: Need to get this off my chest. I think I'm in love with my best friend...
  • Tweet: Just need to get this off my chest: people who don't use turn signals drive me crazy! #rant #driving

Response Patterns

  • (If someone says they need to): Okay, I'm listening. / Sure, what's on your mind? / Go ahead, tell me. / I'm all ears.
  • (After someone has confessed): Thank you for telling me. / That must have been hard to share. / I understand. / Offering comfort or advice.

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

After someone indicates they need to talk:

  • The listener usually signals readiness and encourages them (Okay, what is it?).

After the confession:

  • The listener might ask clarifying questions (What happened then?).
  • Offer support (How can I help? / I'm here for you).
  • Share their own perspective or empathy.

Conversation Starter

  • Yes. Can be used to initiate a serious conversation about something troubling the speaker.

Intonation

  • Stress usually on GET, OFF, and CHEST.
  • I need to GET something OFF my CHEST.

Generation Differences

  • Commonly understood and used across different generations.

Regional Variations

  • Widely used in all major English-speaking regions.
Stick your neck out
🎲 Bite your tongue