in one's bones

English

Etymology

The figurative sense has a linguistic life of its own as a metaphor comparable with others such as at the heart of it all, but it is also related to the literal theme that people with rheumatism can feel weather changes in their bones and joints.

Prepositional phrase

in one's bones

1. (idiomatic, figurative) (of a feeling, belief, etc.) Derived from instinct, intuition, or an ingrained inclination.

   He understood in his bones that the odds were not in his favor.

   She could feel the rhythm in her bones.

2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see in,‎ one's,‎ bones: especially, referring to rheumatic aches sensitive to atmospheric pressure, temperature, and humidity.

   As his aging hands became increasingly arthritic, he would often tell us that he could feel it in his bones when a snowstorm was coming.

   She could feel the rhythm in her bones.

Related terms

• bone-deep

Translations

derived from instinct or ingrained attitude

• Finnish: luissaan
• Italian: nelle ossa
• Polish: w kościach

See also

• core

 

Further reading

“in one's bones”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.