In the flesh

Thursday, 2025-9-18, Idiom: In the flesh

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Idiom: In the flesh

The idiom in the flesh is an interesting expression in the English language.

To start, I must say it does not have anything to do with taking off your clothes.

Now that we have that out of the way, let’s get into it.


In the flesh means seeing someone or something in person, rather than through a screen or a photo.


This phrase is often used to highlight the experience of meeting someone famous or important.

For example, when you go to a concert to see your favourite band, you might feel excited to see them in the flesh.

It emphasizes the realness of the experience.

Similarly, if you’ve been talking to someone online for a long time and finally meet them at a café, you could say that you were excited to see them in the flesh.

The usage of in the flesh extends to other situations as well.

For instance, an art lover visiting a gallery can express their thrill to see a famous painting in the flesh.

It adds a layer of appreciation that comes with experiencing art directly. 

In conversations, you might hear someone say, “I can’t wait to see my old friend in the flesh again,” indicating it is a long-awaited reunion.

To sum up, in the flesh captures the essence of real-life encounters, emphasizing the importance of personal connections.

Whether it’s meeting a friend, seeing a famous person, or admiring art, experiencing something in the flesh often brings a more profound joy and connection.

So, next time you have the chance to meet someone or see something important in the flesh, use this idiom.


Flesch-Kincaid Readability Test

This post is understandable by someone with at least an 8th-grade education (age 13 – 14).  

On the Flesch-Kincaid reading-ease test, this post scores 70.  

The easier a passage is to read, the higher the score on a scale of 0 – 100. 




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