From the gut
Meaning
To base a decision or feeling on pure instinct and intuition rather than rational thought or analysis.
Origin
The connection between our deepest feelings and the physical sensations in our abdomen is ancient, predating modern science. Think of the churning stomach of fear, the 'butterflies' of excitement—these visceral reactions have always been linked to instinct. So, when the early 20th century popularized 'gut feeling,' it was merely giving voice to this timeless bodily wisdom. 'From the gut' takes it a step further, describing a decision so pure, so unburdened by overthinking, it feels like it's pulled directly from that primal, intuitive core, a raw truth emerging from our very being.
Examples
- When faced with the risky investment, she decided from the gut that it wasn't the right move for her.
- He didn't have all the facts, but a deep intuition told him from the gut that the new employee was trustworthy.