gut

Everyday

1. The gut is the long tube in your body that food passes through, including the stomach and intestines. tree →
2. Guts (informal) are the inside parts of a body, especially of an animal. tree →
3. Guts (informal) means courage. tree →
4. A gut feeling is a strong feeling or idea you have without being able to explain why. tree →
5. To gut a fish or animal is to remove its insides before cooking. tree →
6. To gut a building is to destroy or remove everything inside it, as a fire might. tree →

In the lessons

In science, the gut is part of the digestive system: food goes from mouth to oesophagus, stomach, small intestine (where nutrients are absorbed) and large intestine. Fibre from fruit and vegetables keeps your gut healthy; good bacteria live there. In feelings and safety lessons, listening to your gut feeling (the «uh-oh» feeling) helps you notice danger. In UK informal speech, «gutted» means very disappointed. Phrases: «gut feeling», «trust your gut», «have the guts to», «spill your guts» (tell everything), «gutted».

Examples

• Food is digested in your gut. tree →
• Fibre keeps your gut healthy. tree →
• Trust your gut; if something feels wrong, tell an adult. tree →
• It took guts to stand up and sing alone. tree →
• My gut tells me the answer is wrong. tree →
• The fisherman gutted the fish. tree →
• The fire gutted the old school building. tree →
• I was gutted when we lost the final. tree →

Note

Plural guts. Past: gutted (double t). «Guts» meaning courage is informal; in class say «courage» or «bravery». «Gutted» (UK, Australia) informally means very sad or disappointed.