cheek

Everyday

1. Your cheeks are the soft sides of your face below your eyes. tree →
2. Cheek also means rude talk to someone you should respect, especially in British English. tree →
3. «What a cheek!» means that was rude or bold. tree →

In the lessons

In body and health lessons, cheeks go red when you are cold, hot, shy or embarrassed; hamsters store food in their cheek pouches. In manners lessons, giving cheek (being cheeky) to a teacher or parent is rude. In some cultures people greet with a kiss on the cheek. Phrases: rosy cheeks, cheek to cheek, tongue in cheek, turn the other cheek, a cheeky grin.

Examples

• Her cheeks went red when she was embarrassed. tree →
• Grandma kissed me on the cheek. tree →
• The cold wind made our cheeks pink. tree →
• A hamster stuffs food in its cheeks. tree →
• Don't give me any cheek, young man! tree →
• What a cheek, he took the last biscuit! tree →
• He said it tongue in cheek, as a joke. tree →
• She rested her cheek on her hand. tree →
• The king kissed him on both cheeks. tree →

Note

Countable for the face part: a cheek, two cheeks. The rudeness sense is uncountable and mostly British. Adjective: cheeky (a bit rude but often funny). «Tongue in cheek» means not serious.

In Jewish tradition

Here it means the jaw. The cheeks, shoulder and maw are the priest's share of animals offered. In the psalms and Lamentations it is also the side of the face, which is adorned or struck.

Interpretation. The priests' gifts are a part of the support they receive because they have no land of their own. Lamentations speaks of giving the cheek to the one who strikes, read as a picture of patient suffering.

Examples

• And this shall be the priests' due from the people, from them that offer a sacrifice, whether it be ox or sheep, that they shall give unto the priest the shoulder, and the two cheeks, and the maw. (Torah DEU.18.3, JPS 1917) tree →
• Thy cheeks are comely with circlets, thy neck with beads. (Writings SNG.1.10, JPS 1917) tree →
• Let him give his cheek to him that smiteth him, let him be filled full with reproach. (Writings LAM.3.30, JPS 1917) tree →
• Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth; break out the cheek-teeth of the young lions, O LORD. (Writings PSA.58.7, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable for the face part: a cheek, two cheeks. The rudeness sense is uncountable and mostly British. Adjective: cheeky (a bit rude but often funny). «Tongue in cheek» means not serious.