chest

 
Pronunciation: /tʃɛst/

noun

  • 1the front surface of a person’s or animal’s body between the neck and the stomach: she crossed her arms across her chest he was very well built, with a muscular chest
  • the whole of a person’s upper trunk, especially as considered with reference to their respiratory health or to their size of clothes: a bad chest a 42-inch chest
  • 2a large strong box, typically made of wood and used for storage or transport: an oak chest
  • a small cabinet for medicines, toiletries, etc.: the medicine chest
  • British the treasury or financial resources of some institutions: the university chest

verb

[with object and adverbial of direction] Soccer
  • propel (the ball) by means of one’s chest: he chested the ball down

Phrases

get something off one's chest

informal say something that one has wanted to say for a long time, resulting in a feeling of relief: tell me about it, get it off your chest

play (or keep) one's cards close to one's chest (or North American vest)

informal be extremely secretive and cautious about one’s intentions: the less skilled negotiator feels vulnerable and is more likely to keep his cards close to his chest

Derivatives

chested

adjective
[in combination]: a broad-chested athlete

Origin:

Old English cest, cyst, related to Dutch kist and German Kiste, based on Greek kistē 'box'