Animals Idioms & Expression
[A][B] [C][D][E][F][G][H][I][J] K][L][M][N] [O][P][Q][R][S][T][U][V] [W][X][Y][Z]
[TOP]
Animal Idioms and Expressions A
ANT
working like ants
Working hard.
ants in one's pants
to be very restless and impatient
APE
go ape
become extremely excited
[A][B] [C][D][E][F][G][H][I][J] K][L][M][N] [O][P][Q][R][S][T][U][V] [W][X][Y][Z]
[TOP]
Animal Idioms and Expressions
B
BARK
a barking dog never bites
Someone who makes threats all the time, seldom carries out the threats.
bark up the wrong tree
Pursue an erroneous course of action.
his bark is worse than his bite
Someone comes across as being very mean and nasty, but doesn't necessarily act on their threats
why keep a dog and bark yourself
You should not do something you hired some one else to do.
BAT
As blind as a bat
unaware.
have bats in the (or one's) belfry
Informal. to be mad or eccentric; have strange ideas
like a bat out of hell
Fast.
BEAR
as gruff as a bear
Gruff.
slick as bear grease
smooth and slick
like a bear with a sore head
Very disgruntled.
bear down
try harder
bear the brunt
accept the most blame or responsibility
cranky as bear with a sore paw
loaded for bear
To be prepared for any possibility. Originally this phrase had a hunting significance dating back to possibly a time when the west was wild and woolly. Modern slang has introduced a new meaning into the phrase -- to be well loaded; drunk.
also
"Bears are notoriously difficult to kill. Wounded grizzlies will sometime pursue those who hunt them. I have always understood 'loaded for bear' to mean that one is equipping (or over-equipping) oneself for an extraordinary hunt."
have a bear by the tail
to have a very difficult problem to solve
hungry as a bear
very hungry
BEAVER
busy as a beaver
Busy.
eager beaver
someone who is very eager to do something
BEE
busy as a bee
Busy.
a beehive of activity
a busy place, a room full of working people
make a beeline
go straight towards
the bee's knees
the best, superior, the cat's meow
having bees in one's bonnet
to be up in a tizzy about something.
BIRD
a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
Don't go after something if it means loosing what you have.
had the bird
worn or broken
happy as a box of birds
joyful, very happy
have a bird
be overcome with excitement or grief
naked as a jay bird
no clothes on, bare naked, in the nude
sitting in a cat bird seat
A person is "sitting pretty" or in a "favored position." This saying was popularized, at least, in these here parts [Texas], by a short story entitled "Catbird Seat," which was written by the well-known American writer of humorous fiction--James Thurber. Thurber, of "Walter Mitty" fame, gives credit to Red Barber--the down--home Southern baseball sports announcer for introducing this rural idiom to the mainstream American public. According to Thurber, the phrase means: being in an advantageous position.
for the birds
Not for me.
free as a bird
Free.
a little bird told me
I won't tell you who told me.
flip the bird
To stick up your middle finger in a derogatory way.
bird's-eye view
Seen from above.
a wet bird never flies at night
"The saying 'a wet bird never flies at night' was a catch phrase used by Jackie Vernon - a stand up comic on the television in the 70's. You're probably not old enough to remember him - but he had a very dry humor and never smiled. Think he might also have been the one that said 'It's bad luck to blow-dry a wet raccoon.'"
birds in their little nest agree
People who live together should try hard to get along peacefully.
birds of a feather flock together
Similar people tend to associate with each other.
fine feathers make fine birds
It's the details that make something good.
bird dog
someone's buttock's
It’s an ill bird that fouls its own nest
killing two birds with one stone
Accomplishing two things at the same time.
the bird has flown
Informal. the person in question has fled or escaped
the birds and the bees
Euphemistic or jocular. sex and sexual reproduction
get the bird
Informal
a. to be fired or dismissed
b. (esp of a public performer) to be hissed at, booed, or derided
give (someone) the bird
Informal. to tell (someone) rudely to depart; scoff at; hiss
like a bird
without resistance or difficulty
the early bird catches the worm
Don't procrastinate (unless maybe you’re the worm.)
BOAR
crazy as a peach-orchard boar
loony
BONE
throw you a bone
To give you a compliment.
BUG
as snug as a bug in a rug
don't let the bed bugs bite
Sleep Well.
bitten by the same bug
have the same interest or hobby
like a chicken on a June bug
very quickly, in a flash
Love Bug
Volkswagen Beetle, The Bug
put a bug in my ear
told me secretly, a little bird told me
don't bug me
Leave me in peace.
cute as a bug's ear
On the theory that the smaller they come the cuter they are.
crazy as a betsy bug
loony
crazy as June bug
Crazy.
BULL
to not know B from a bull's foot
To be extremely ignorant.
take the bull by the horns
to face and tackle a difficulty without shirking.
bull
US slang. to talk lightly or foolishly
bull-headed
to be stubborn
useless as tits on a bull
completely useless
cock-and-bull story
untrue story
to shoot the bull
Gathering of people talking.
like a bull in a china shop
Someone who heedless of physical damage or the personal feelings of anyone, shoulders his way though delicate situations.
Alt Def.: Something or some one in a place where they or it does not belong or is out of place.
BUNNY
dust bunny
a clump of dust or lint
BUTTERFLY
as gaudy as a butterfly
BUZZARD
buzzard bait
a dying or a worthless animal
[A][B] [C][D][E][F][G][H][I][J] K][L][M][N] [O][P][Q][R][S][T][U][V] [W][X][Y][Z]
[TOP]
Animal Idioms and Expressions
C
CAMEL
strain at gnats and swallow camels
To criticize other people for minor offences while ignoring major offenses.
plain as the hump on a camel
obvious
straw that broke the camel's back
The thing to push you over the edge.
CANARY
have a canary
Brit. informal. to react with disapproval, anxiety. etc
look like the cat who swallowed the canary
To look proud of ones self.
CAT
cat's meow
The top of the line
play cat and mouse
to play with a person or animal in a cruel or teasing way. esp before a final act
of cruelty or unkindness
fraidy cat or scaredy cat
a person who is afraid, a coward
a person who is afraid, a coward
grin like a Cheshire cat
to have a big smile because of something you're really happy you did
to have a big smile because of something you're really happy you did
a bag of cats
Irish informal. a bad-tempered person: she's a real bag of cats this morning.
not a cat in hell's chance
no chance at all
like herding cats
Futile
Futile
fight like Kilkenny cats
to fight until both parties are destroyed
conceited as a barbers cat
very conceited
she's a cool cat
She is unflappable.
high as the hair on a cat's back
very expensive
as much chance as a wax cat in hell
no chance at all
weak as a cat
very weak
dead cat on the line
for something to be wrong
sitting in a cat bird seat
A person is "sitting pretty" or in a "favored position." This saying was popularized, at least, in these here parts [Texas], by a short story entitled "Catbird Seat," which was written by the well-known American writer of humorous fiction--James Thurber. Thurber, of "Walter Mitty " fame, gives credit to Red Barber--the down--home Southern baseball sports announcer for this rural idiom to the mainstream American public. According to Thurber, the phrase means: being in an advantageous position.
cat calls
"I'm from a neighborhood with a tremendous amount of wild or at least
free-roaming cats. Often, in the middle of an early spring or summer night
i would be awakened by the calls of cat's in mating. Each time, one of the
sounds I heard was similar to the "wit-woo" sound associated with the
cat-call whistle. Perhaps people adopted that sound, changed it to a
whistle, and associated it with seeing an attractive woman, thus calling
the sound these men made, cat calls."
"I'm from a neighborhood with a tremendous amount of wild or at least
free-roaming cats. Often, in the middle of an early spring or summer night
i would be awakened by the calls of cat's in mating. Each time, one of the
sounds I heard was similar to the "wit-woo" sound associated with the
cat-call whistle. Perhaps people adopted that sound, changed it to a
whistle, and associated it with seeing an attractive woman, thus calling
the sound these men made, cat calls."
fat cat
A person high up in the business world with a lot of money.
A person high up in the business world with a lot of money.
A cat can look at a king
No one is so important that an ordinary person cannot look at him or her. Everyone can be curious about important people.
do it in a cat's paw
Do something in a way that no one knows it is you doing it.
to let the cat out of the bag
Telling something which has been a secret.
copycat
Some one who mimics some one else.
Some one who mimics some one else.
catnap
A mid-day nap.
alley cat
Any homeless or stray cat. By extension -- a prostitute.
look what the cat dragged in
A humorously derogatory comment on someone's arrival.
looks like something the cat brought in
to appear disheveled or bedraggled.
cat's pajamas
All that and a bag of chips.
curiosity killed the cat
Warning about being curious.
a cat has nine lives
Cats can survive things that are severe enough to kill them.
a cat in gloves catches no mice
Sometimes you cannot get what you want by being careful and polite.
all cats are gray in the dark
In the dark, appearances are meaningless.
nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs
Nervous
like a cat on a hot tin roof
Agitated.
like a cat on hot bricks
in an uneasy or agitated state.
cat got your tongue
Unable to speak.
put, set, etc., {the cat among the pigeons}
to introduce some violently disturbing new element
keep no more cats then will catch mice
Do not support anyone who does not or cannot do something useful for you in return.
let the cat out of the bag
To tell a secret -- normally accidentally.
not enough room to swing a cat
Very little room.
raining cats and dogs
It is raining very hard.
more then one way to skin a cat
There is more then one way to do something.
when the cat's away, the mice will play
Without supervision, people misbehave.
look like the cat who swallowed the canary
To look proud of ones self.
doesn't have enough sense to bell a cat
acts foolishly
dog my cats
my goodness; what do you know
like cat and dog
quarrelling savagely
CATTLE (AND CALF)
all hat and no cattle
all form and no substance
all form and no substance
calf slobber
meringue
don't rush cattle
do not hurry
to kill the fatted calf
to rejoice (I don't think the calf is rejoicing though)
CHICKEN
don't count your chickens before they are hatched
Don't assume you have something until you really have it.
chicken in every pot
enough food for every family
chicken
Informal. any of various, often dangerous, games or challenges in which the object is to make one's opponent lose his nerve.
chicken out
back out from fear or lose one's nerve
have a chicken to pick with someone
to have something to argue about with someone
like a chicken with its head cut off
in a wild, crazy manner
chicken
a cowardly person
chicken
Slang. a young inexperienced person
the chickens come home to roost
You have to face the consequences of your mistakes or bad deeds.
no spring chicken
old
If it ain't chicken, it's feathers.
There is always a problem.
scarce as chicken's teeth
There is always a problem.
There is always a problem.
chicken feed
Very little (or low in value.)
CHUCHMOUSE
poor as a church mouse
Very Poor. This saying likely arose from some folk tale relating the sad experience of a mouse trying to find food for itself and its starving little ones in a church. No pantry, no meal bag, no grain bin made the struggle for existence most difficult.
CLAM
as happy as a clam
"Happy as a Clam" is not the original quote. It has been shortened. Why is a Clam particularly happy? The original quote was "Happy as a Clam in High Tide". Which of course is when the clam is the safest.
clam up
Informal. to keep or become silent or withhold information
COCK
cock-and-bull story
untrue story
COLT
brush colt
an illegitimate child
COW
why buy a cow when you can get the milk for free
Why pay for something that you can get for free otherwise.
steep as a cow's face
extremely steep
holy cow
that is exciting, geez, gosh, wow
big enough to choke a cow
very big
cow juice
milk
dark as the inside of a cow's belly
very dark
cash cow
Someone or something that has a ton of cash and supports someone else with it--a business' big clients would be called cash cows.
Someone or something that has a ton of cash and supports someone else with it--a business' big clients would be called cash cows.
tune the old cow died of
Any tune which has been played ad nauseam.
a sacred cow
Personal possession cherished by its owner or a person or thing immune to criticism or questioning
don't have a cow, man
Don't get hysterically mad.
Don't get hysterically mad.
How now, Brown Cow?
what next, or what's going on
till the cows come home
late hours or for a long time
CRAW
to stick in your craw
describes a problem that is annoying and/or won't go away
refers to a bird's craw (gullet), in which food is ground by sand eaten for this purpose
CROCODILE
crocodile tears
Fake tears. This expression comes from a story that a crocodile moans and sobs like a person in great distress in order to lure a man into its reach, and then after devouring him sheds bitter tears over the dire fate of its victim.
CROW
as the crow flies
From point A to point B directly.
eating crow
Taking back your words.
stone the crows
Brit. and Austral. slang. an expression of surprise, dismay, etc
[A][B] [C][D][E][F][G][H][I][J] K][L][M][N] [O][P][Q][R][S][T][U][V] [W][X][Y][Z]
[TOP]
Animal Idioms and Expressions
D
DANDER
get someone's dander up
to make someone angry
DODO
dead as a dodo
Dead; obsolete; completely washed up.
DOG
gone to the dogs
Taken a turn for the worse.
that dog won't hunt
the hair of the dog that bit you
The drink you drink in the morning to get over the drinks you drank the night before.
Hair of the Dog
(Australian Idiom)
A saying Australians use "the day after". That is to say the following
morning after being out drinking and feeling "seedy" (i.e. hung-over) - the
comment will be made to have some "hair of the dog", this is to infer that if
you have some more to drink, generally the same as you were drinking the
previous night the hangover will be gone, or at least not noticed anymore.
my dogs are barking
My feet are hurting
My feet are hurting
Alt def: My feet smell
in the dog house
(not in our Dog Hause) In trouble.
dog tired
Very tired.
sick as a dog
Very sick.
dog and pony show
Put on a good performance to impress someone, such as "I've got to do the 'dog and pony show' for my boss today."
Put on a good performance to impress someone, such as "I've got to do the 'dog and pony show' for my boss today."
look like somebody just shot your dog
two (or three) dog night
Australian. the number of dogs needed to sleep cuddled up to for keeping warm
dog days of summer
Very hot days in July and August. It is the period in which the Dog Star, Sirius, rises in conjunction with the sun.
a barking dog never bites
a dogs breakfast
Something bad.
dog-leg right or dog-leg left
The fairway turns in a golf course.better be the head of a dog then the tail of a lion
dog does not eat dog
One disreputable person will not harm another disreputable person.
it’s a dog eat dog world
Vicious world.
it's a dog's life
It’s an easy life
dog my cats
my goodness; what do you know
if you can't run with the big dogs puppy, stay on the porch
a tough dog to keep up on the porch
every dog has its day
The time will come to each of us to chuck one's weight around; to exhibit a periods of ostentation, influence or power.
if you lie down with dogs, you will get up with fleas
If you associate with bad people, you will acquire their faults.
call off the dogs
Cease some objectionable line of conduct. The analogy is that of the chase, in which dogs following a wrong sent are called off.
mean as a junk-yard dog
Very Mean.
dog eat dog
ruthless competition or self-interest
quick as a dog can lick a dish
fast, very quickly
sad as a hound dog's eye
very sad; pitiful
a dog's chance
no chance at all
a dog's life
a wretched existence
sick as a dog
very sick
bar-dog
bartender
big dog
important person
cut dog has no pups
I don't want to cut the cards
like cat and dog
quarrelling savagely
bird dog
someone's buttock's
like a dog's dinner
Informal. dressed smartly or ostentatiously
put on the dog
US and Canadian informal. to behave or dress in an ostentatious or showy manner
let sleeping dogs lie
Don't bring up an old issue/topic that will raise tempers or cause an argument
Don't bring up an old issue/topic that will raise tempers or cause an argument
(Who ever said let sleeping dogs lie, didn’t sleep with dogs…)
love me, love my dog
If you love someone, you should accept everything and everyone that person loves.
rain cats and dogs
Raining heavily.
why keep a dog and bark yourself
You should not do something you hired some one else to do.
you cannot teach an old dog new tricks
Someone who is used to doing things a certain way cannot change.
crooked as a dog's hind leg
dishonest
happy as a flea in a doghouse
very happy
the tail wagging the dog
work like a dog
Work very hard.
dog-faced liar
a terrible liar
dog my cats
my goodness; what do you know
a dog's breakfast
a mixture of many things, a hodgepodge
top dog
boss, leader, head honcho
like dog's breath
not pleasant, not popular
dog in the manger
a person who will not share something he does not use or need
dog it
be lazy, not work
dogged me
followed me, bothered me
go see a man about a dog
go use the toilet
a dog's dinner or breakfast
Informal. something that is messy or bungled
DUCK
duck soup
Easy.
biggest duck in the puddle
most important person in a small group
if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and looks like a duck, it must be a duck
Assume the obvious.
duck out
leave, run away, desert
it's the duck's guts
it is great, it is wonderful
ducks in a row (ducks in order)
organized, planned; each person knows his job
ducky
great, fine, lovely
dead duck
someone or something that is certain to fail
lame duck
an elected officeholder whose term of office has not yet expired but who has failed to be re-elected and therefore cannot gather much political support for initiatives
happy as ducks in Arizona
very unhappy
a sitting duck
An easy mark.
like water off a duck's back
It rolls right off.
[A][B] [C][D][E][F][G][H][I][J] K][L][M][N] [O][P][Q][R][S][T][U][V] [W][X][Y][Z]
[TOP]
Animal Idioms and Expressions
E
EEL
as slippery as an eel
EAGLE
eagle eyes
a person who can see details or errors
ELEPHANT
a white elephant
A cheap gift associated with a white elephant party.
Alt def: A gift you don't want and you don't know what to do with it.
an elephant never forgets
Just that. They don't!
Just that. They don't!
a memory like an elephant
Never forgets.
big enough to shade an elephant
very big
EGG
freckled as a turkey egg
covered with freckles
a good egg
a good-natured person
all your eggs in one basket
depending on one plan or one investment
egg me on
encourage me, tell me to do it
egg on my face
embarrassed, outsmarted
goose egg
zero, no score
suck eggs
go, leave, have a bad experience
walk on eggshells
be very careful
nest egg
a fund of money kept in reserve; savings
skunk egg
an onion
[A][B] [C][D][E][F][G][H][I][J] K][L][M][N] [O][P][Q][R][S][T][U][V] [W][X][Y][Z]
[TOP]
Animal Idioms and Expressions
F
FEATHERS
If it ain't chicken, it's feathers.
There is always a problem.
a feather in your cap
an honor, a credit to you
horse feathers
lies, false stories
knock me over with a feather
I was very surprised, I could not believe it
ruffle your feathers
annoy you, bother you
fuss and feathers
fancy, troublesome things
birds of a feather
individuals of the same character or background tend to stay together
feather one's nest
to acquire wealth for oneself, especially by taking advantage of one's position or using the property of others
FERRETS
ferret out
to uncover and bring to light by searching
FISH
sleeping with the fishes
Watery death
Watery death
fish and company stink after three days
fish should be eaten while it is fresh, and guests should not stay too long
shooting fish in a barrel
a task that is too easy, a game without challenge
neither fish, flesh. nor fowl
neither this nor that
a woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle
fishing for a compliment
Looking to hear a compliment for one’s own self.
a kettle of fish
A terrible mess.
a different kettle of fish
different, not the same
like a fish out of water
Out of one's element.
busy as a fish peddler in Lent
very busy
crooked as a barrel of fish hooks
dishonest
got bigger fish to fry
drink like a fish
A big drinker.
A big drinker.
have better (or other) fish to fry
More important things to worry about.
More important things to worry about.
there's more than one fish in the sea
There are always more options -- usually referring to the dating "pool".
like a big fish in a small pond.
Someone who has no competition in a particular group because of some trait;
more rich, more beautiful, more talented.
fish or cut bait
FLEAS
if you lie down with dogs, you will get up with fleas
If you associate with bad people, you will acquire their faults.
to drop a flea in one's ear
To caution.
happy as a flea in a doghouse
very happy
FLY (and FLIES)
would not hurt a fly
Wouldn't harm anything.
catching flies
open mouth
a fly on the wall
able to hear and see what a fly would see and hear
no flies on her (him)
"savvy"
happy as a fly in pie
very happy
you must lose a fly to catch a trout
You have to sacrifice something to get what you want.
you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar
It is easier to get what you want by flattering people and being polite to them than by making demands.
FOX
crazy like a fox
fox
chiefly US a sexually attractive woman
fox
Informal. to perplex or confound: to fox a person with a problem
fox
to cause (paper, wood, etc.) to become discoloured with spots, or (of paper, etc.) to become discoloured, as through mildew.
out fox
to trick; deceive
sneaky as fox in the hen-house
FROG
biggest frog (toad) in the puddle
The person of most importance in any small community or group.
frog spit or frog spittle
a foamy mass of threadlike green algae floating on ponds.
frog sticker
a short knife
frog in your throat
Scratchy voice.
If a frog had wheels, they wouldn't bump their butts
It is useless to wish for impossible things.
fine as a frog hair
very fine
[A][B] [C][D][E][F][G][H][I][J] K][L][M][N] [O][P][Q][R][S][T][U][V] [W][X][Y][Z]
[TOP]
Animal Idioms and Expressions
G
GIRAFFE
knee-high to a tall giraffe
Tall
Tall
GNAT
strain at gnats and swallow camels
To criticize other people for minor offences while ignoring major offenses.
GOAT
separate the sheep from the goats
To distinguish the good from the bad.
old goat
an old man, a cranky man
a scapegoat
One whom is inflicted punishment for the faults or wrongs of another. The poor scapegoat gets the punishment for everyone else's mistakes. God condoned this cruelty to animals in Leviticus 16:7-10 "And Aaron shall cast lots
upon the two goats; one lot for the Lord, and the other for the scapegoat." The scapegoat got to escape, and carry the tribe's sins into the wilderness, to be eaten by some animal instead
of being offered alive as a sacrifice for the Lord.
get someone's goat
to irritate someone
GOOSE (GEESE)
what’s good for the goose is good for the gander
What is good for one person is good for another; often what is good for the man is good for the woman. Also "what's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander".
doesn’t have the sense god gave geese
Stupid.
goose hangs high
everything is good
slick as goose grease
smooth and slick
goose flesh
the bumpy condition of the skin induced by cold, fear, etc., caused by contraction of the muscles at the base of the hair follicles with consequent erection of papillae: so called because of the resemblance to the skin of a freshly-plucked fowl. Also called: goose bumps, goose pimples, goose skin
goose step
a military march step in which the leg is swung rigidly to an exaggerated height. esp as in the German army in the Third Reich
all his geese are swans
he constantly exaggerates the importance of a person or thing
cook someone's goose
Informal.
a. to spoil someone's plans.
b. to bring about someone's ruin, downfall, etc.
kill the goose that lays the golden eggs
to sacrifice future benefits for the sake of momentary present needs.
goose
to prod (a person) playfully in the behind
as often as a goose goes barefoot
all the time
cannot say boo to a goose
shy
a wild-goose chase
A vain pursuit of something, which, even if attained, would be worthless.
GRASSHOPPER
Knee high to a grasshopper
grasshopper
an iced cocktail of equal parts of cr*eme de menthe, cr*eme de cacao, and cream
grasshopper mind
unable to concentrate on any one subject for long
[A][B] [C][D][E][F][G][H][I][J] K][L][M][N] [O][P][Q][R][S][T][U][V] [W][X][Y][Z]
[TOP]
Animal Idioms and Expressions H
HARE
As mad as a March hare
make a hare of (someone)
Irish informal. to defeat (someone) completely
to run with the hare and hunt with the hounds
To support both sides of a dispute.
if you run after two hares, you will catch neither
You cannot do two things successfully at the same time.
HAWK
sharp as a hawk
hawk
to offer (goods) for sale, as in the street.
watch me like a hawk
watch me carefully
hawk
a ruthless or rapacious person
hawk-eyed
having extremely keen sight
hawk
a person who advocates or supports war or warlike policies
HEN
as scarce as hen's teeth
Non-existent.
hen
dialect. a term of address (often affectionate), used to women and girls
he that would have eggs must endure the cackling of hens
You must be willing to endure unpleasant, irritating things in order to get what you want.
have a hen to the nest
have a work in progress
hen party
party for only women
mad as a wet hen
Mad.
HERRING
red herring
False trail.
HOG
independent as a hog on ice
Cockily independent.
hogwash
nonsense
go the whole hog
Informal. to do something thoroughly or unreservedly
big enough to choke a hog
very big
go whole hog
to do something completely or thoroughly
be a hog
to take more than one's share of
call hogs
to snore
even a blind hog occasionaly finds an acorn
Old farmer's way of letting you know that you're not too smart when you have made a
discovery or an accomplishment.
Old farmer's way of letting you know that you're not too smart when you have made a
discovery or an accomplishment.
to go hog wild
To become highly enthusiastic.
HOOK
swallowed it hook, line and sinker
Believing something (usually a falsity.)
HORSE
a nod is as good as a blink to a blind horse
sounding horse
Scratchy voice.
a charley horse
Leg pain.
dark horse
a little known, unexpectedly successful competitor
a horse of another color
Something of a different nature.
a one horse town
A small town.
to ride the high horse
To act pretentiously. In the 14th century, persons of high rank were mounted on "high" horses, meaning they rode the heavy chargers used in battle or tournament.
as strong as a horse
Strong.
don’t change horses in mid-stream
look a gift horse in the mouth
Having bad manners when accepting a gift. One can tell how old a horse is by looking into it's mouth -- it is equivalent to looking for the hallmark sign on the back of a greeting card. :)
to put the cart before the horse
Doing something in reversed order.
every horse thinks its own pack is the heaviest
there's no sense beating a dead horse
straight from the horse's mouth
From the highest authority. The age of a race-horse can be guessed by looking at its teeth. So no matter what any one says on how old the horse is, one can tell by looking in the horse's mouth.
if two ride on a horse, one must ride behind
When two people do something together, one of them will be the leader and the other will be the subordinate.
if wishes were horses then beggars would ride
It's no good just wishing. You have to act.
it is too late to shut the stable door when the horse is stolen
Don't procrastinate.
wild horse couldn’t drag me away
Even the most disasterous events won't keep me from coming.
Even the most disasterous events won't keep me from coming.
you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink
You can offer someone something but you cannot insist that they take it (e.g. advice).
horse-sense
Common sense.
so hungry I could eat a horse
Hungry.
set a beggar on horseback, and he’ll ride to the devil
a horse of different color
Entirely different situation.
horsing around
Joking around.
hold your horses
Just wait a second.
Just wait a second.
HOUND
as clean as a hound’s tooth
to run with the hare and hunt with the hounds
To support both sides of a dispute.
being hounded
Being bothered.
[A][B] [C][D][E][F][G][H][I][J] K][L][M][N] [O][P][Q][R][S][T][U][V] [W][X][Y][Z]
[TOP]
Animal Idioms and Expressions J
JAYBIRD
as naked as a jaybird
Bare, naked, unadorned.
Bare, naked, unadorned.
[A][B] [C][D][E][F][G][H][I][J] K][L][M][N] [O][P][Q][R][S][T][U][V] [W][X][Y][Z]
[TOP]
Animal Idioms and Expressions
K
KITTENS
have kittens
To throw a fit.
To throw a fit.
dust kitten
a clump of dust or lint
[A][B] [C][D][E][F][G][H][I][J] K][L][M][N] [O][P][Q][R][S][T][U][V] [W][X][Y][Z]
[TOP]
Animal Idioms and Expressions
L
LAMB
as gentle as a lamb
like a lamb to the slaughter
without resistance
lamb down
to give birth
Lamb of God
a title given to Christ in the New Testament
two shakes of a lamb’s tail
Very fast.
as meek as a lamb
Meek.
in like a lion, out like a lamb
comes in rough and goes out gentle -- usually the month of March.
one might as well be hanged for a sheep as for a lamb
If you have decided to do something that will have unpleasant consequences, do it to the largest degree possible, so that you will feel the punishment was worth it.
LARK
as happy as a lark
LEASH
on a short leash
Held back by another person no being able to do what you want, usually used in reference to people within romantic relationships.
LEOPARD
a leopard cannot change his spots
LION
as strong as a lion
lionhearted
very brave; courageous
beard the lion in his den
a lion's share
The greater portion.
better be the head of a dog than the tail of a lion
in like a lion, out like a lamb
It comes in rough and goes out gentle -- usually the month of March.
[A][B] [C][D][E][F][G][H][I][J] K][L][M][N] [O][P][Q][R][S][T][U][V] [W][X][Y][Z]
[TOP]
Animal Idioms and Expressions
M
MONKEY
monkey see, monkey do
That which is seen is copied.
throw a monkey wrench into the works
wreck a project
funny as a barrel of monkeys
Hilariously comical.
monkey
a naughty or mischievous person, esp a child
have a monkey on one's back
US and Canadian slang. an addict's dependence on a drug
make a monkey of
a butt of derision; someone made to look a fool
who gives a monkey's what he thinks
Brit. slang. to care about or regard as important
monkey suit
US slang. a man's evening dress
as fun as a barrel of monkeys
Something that was silly and hilarious.
I'll be a monkey's uncle
I am surprised.
monkey business (monkey-ing around)
Something against the 'rules' (illegal, immoral etc) but not too serious.
a monkey in silk is a monkey no less
No matter how you dress up something, for example an ugly person clad in a silk gown, it is still the same underneath for all the window dressing.
MOUSE
a cat in gloves catches no mice
as quiet as a mouse
Quiet.
burn not your house to fright the mouse away
keep no more cats then will catch mice
Do not support anyone who does not or cannot do something useful for you in return.
the best-laid plans of mice and men
the mouse that has but one hole is quickly taken
It is dangerous to always depend on just one thing, because if it fails you, you will not have any alternatives.
when the cat's away, the mice will play
Without supervision, people misbehave.
MULE
as stubborn as a mule
mule
Slang. a person who is paid to transport illegal drugs for a dealer.
kick like a mule
grin like a mule eating briars
to grin very wide
[A][B] [C][D][E][F][G][H][I][J] K][L][M][N] [O][P][Q][R][S][T][U][V] [W][X][Y][Z]
[TOP]
Animal Idioms and Expressions N
NEST
children must fly the nest / leave the nest
Children must eventually leave home.
feathering one's nest
to acquire wealth for oneself, especially by taking advantage of one's position or using the property of others
nest egg
a fund of money kept in reserve; savings
NOSE
cold nose, warm heart
Cold on the outside, but full of love on the inside
[A]
[B] [C]
[D]
[E][F]
[G]
[H][I]
[J] [K]
[L]
[M]
[N] [O]
[P]
[Q][R]
[S]
[T][U]
[V] [W]
[X]
[Y][Z]
[TOP]
Animal Idioms and Expressions
O
OWL
drunk as a boiled owl
Drunk.
owly
cranky, unco-operative, negative
I wasn't brought up in the woods to be scared by owls
I'm not foolish or easily frightened.
sorry as owl bait
worthless
wise as an owl
slick as owl grease
smooth and slick
OX
as strong as an ox
ox-eyed
having large round eyes, like those of an ox
OYSTER
the world is his oyster
He can do anything.
He can do anything.
oyster
Informal. a very uncommunicative person
[A][B] [C][D][E][F][G][H][I][J] K][L][M][N] [O][P][Q][R][S][T][U][V] [W][X][Y][Z]
[TOP]
Animal Idioms and Expressions
P
PARROT
as sick as a parrot
very, very sick; on your deathbed, sicker than a dog
PEACOCK
proud as a peacock
Proud.
happy as a peacock
very happy, very pleased
vain as a peacock
PECKING
the pecking order
describes the relative rank or importance of someone within a group
refers to hens establishing a dominance hierarchy by pecking
PIG
fat as a pig
on the pig's back
Irish and N.Z. successful; established: he's on the pig's back now.
pig it
Informal. to live in squalor.
pig out
Informal. to devour (food) greedily.
a pig in a poke
a risk, a gamble, taking a chance
even a blind pig finds an acorn once in awhile
everybody gets lucky sometimes
everybody gets lucky sometimes
make a pig of yourself
Eat all you want.
in a pig's eye
nonsense
sweating like a pig
sweating a lot
eat like a pig
Eat a lot.
bleed like a stuck pig
it bleed very freely
if that don't beat a pig a-pecking
that's amazing
blind pig
a place to buy illicit liquor
happy as a pig in mud
happy and content
ain't fittin' to roll with a pig
is or are uncouth and disgusting
when pigs fly
Never.
buy a pig in a poke
Buy something without seeing it first.
PIGEONs
stool-pigeon
An informer.
clay pigeon
a person easily cheated or taken advantage of
pigeon-toed
having the toes turned inwards
put, set, etc., {the cat among the pigeons}
to introduce some violently disturbing new element
PORQUPINE
Prickly as a porcupine
POSSUM
to play possum
To pretend; to deceive. If the possum is threatened with capture it will lie with closed eyes and limp muscles, and no amount of handling or ordinary abuse will cause it to show signs of life.
grin like a barrel of possum heads
to grin very wide
PUPPY (PUPS)
puppy love
Puppy love is a juvenile crush (another idiom) on a member of the opposite
sex... the youngest and most infatuous of loves is puppy love!
cut dog has no pups
I don't want to cut the cards
proud as a pup with a new collar
very proud
pretty as a speckled pup
very pretty
[A][B] [C][D][E][F][G][H][I][J] K][L][M][N] [O][P][Q][R][S][T][U][V] [W][X][Y][Z]
[TOP]
Animal Idioms and Expressions
R
RABBIT
quick as a rabbit
rabbit food
lettuce, carrots, cabbage etc.
harmless as a pet rabbit
harmless, gentle
RAT
like rats abandoning a sinking ship
dirty rat
immoral person, liar, scum
rat fink
person who tattles
rat on
tell the police or the authorities
rat
Slang. chiefly US an informer; stool pigeon
rat
Informal. a despicable person
rats
an exclamation of rejection or disdain
rat race
Work force.
(The thing about the rat race is, weather you win or lose, you’re still a rat…)
smell a rat
Think that there is a traitor.
rat
Informal. a person who deserts his friends or associates, esp in time of trouble
rat
Informal. a worker who works during a strike; blackleg; scab
RATTLER
mean as a rattler
crooked as a rattler in a cactus patch
very crooked
ROOSTER (and ROOST)
feeling like a rooster in a hen house
Feeling like you don't belong.
the chickens come home to roost
You have to face the consequences of your mistakes or bad deeds.
to rule the roost
To control the home.
bet on a lame rooster
bet on a loser
[A][B] [C][D][E][F][G][H][I][J] K][L][M][N] [O][P][Q][R][S][T][U][V] [W][X][Y][Z]
[TOP]
Animal Idioms and Expressions S
SADDLE
bring someone's saddle home
to do to someone that which someone has done to you
have a burr under one's saddle
to be irritated by something
SHARK
card-shark
A person who pretends they don't know how to play cards until they play for money, and then they play well and take all the profits.
SHEEP
a wolf in sheep's clothing
Getting admission under false pretenses.
black sheep of the family
most troublesome member of the family
one might as well be hanged for a sheep as for a lamb
If you have decided to do something that will have unpleasant consequences, do it to the largest degree possible, so that you will feel the punishment was worth it.
separate the sheep from the goats
To distinguish the good from the bad.
SKUNK
skunk egg
an onion
as drunk as a skunk *
describes someone who is falling-down drunk, completely intoxicated
* skunks are not known to imbibe; the meaning is only in the rhyme
(this phrase is an alliteration)
SNAIL
a snail's pace
Slow.
SNAKE
snake in the grass
There is trouble.
if it was a snake it would have bit you
very close
mad as a struck snake
cruel and angry
to nourish a snake in one's bosom
From the Aesop story, "The Farmer and the Snake."
once a snake, always a snake
people do not change
slippery as a snake
Tricky – unable to trust.
SWAN
graceful as a swan
Graceful.
I swan
what a surprise
I'll Swan
"I've never heard anyone under the age of 60 use this expression, but it
conveys surprise and disbelief."
[A][B] [C][D][E][F][G][H][I][J] K][L][M][N] [O][P][Q][R][S][T][U][V] [W][X][Y][Z]
[TOP]
Animal Idioms and Expressions T
TAIL
the tail wagging the dog
two shakes of a lamb’s tail
Very fast.
Very fast.
have a bear by the tail
to have a very difficult problem to solve
bright-eyed and bushy-tailed
eager and alert
with the tail between the legs
Thoroughly coward.
better be the head of a dog then the tail of a lion
TICK
full as a tick
well-fed
ticked off
a little upset, annoyed
TIGER
he who rides a tiger is afraid to dismount
tiger
a dynamic, forceful, or cruel person
have a tiger by the tail
Informal. to find oneself in a situation that has turned out to be much more difficult to control than one had expected.
TOAD
ugly as a toad
Ugly.
as calm as a toad in the sun
very calm and content
toad sticker
a short knife
biggest frog (toad) in the puddle
The person of most importance in any small community or group.
TURKEY
to talk turkey
To talk straight or be honest.
as poor as Job's turkey
very poor
turkey
Slang, chiefly US and Canadian. a thing or person that fails; dud.
freckled as a turkey egg
covered with freckles
turkey
Slang, chiefly US and Canadian. a stupid, incompetent, or unappealing person
Stop cold turkey.
[A][B] [C][D][E][F][G][H][I][J] K][L][M][N] [O][P][Q][R][S][T][U][V] [W][X][Y][Z]
[TOP]
Animal Idioms and Expressions W
WEASEL
weasel words
Words that weaken or detract from the effectiveness or force of another word or expression.
weasel
Informal. a sly or treacherous person
weasel
Informal.
1. to go back on a commitment
2. to evade a responsibility, esp in a despicable manner
WING
to take under one's wing
to protect, to mentor.
on a wing and a prayer
with only the slightest hope of succeeding
on the wing
flying
clip (someone's) wings
to restrict (someone's) freedom
wing it
Informal. to accomplish or perform something without full preparation or knowledge; improvise
WOLF
a growing youth has a wolf in his belly
Young people who are growing fast are hungry all of the time.
wolf
a voracious, grabbing, or fiercely cruel person or thing
wolf
a man who habitually tries to seduce women
keep the wolf from the door
to ward off starvation or privation
lone wolf
a person or animal who prefers to be alone
throw to the wolves
to abandon or deliver to destruction
to wolf down
to gulp
a wolf in sheep's clothing
Getting admission under false pretenses.
when the wolf comes in the door love creeps out the window
If a couple gets married because they are in love, but they do not have any money, they will stop loving each other when the money runs out.
If a couple gets married because they are in love, but they do not have any money, they will stop loving each other when the money runs out.
to cry wolf
Taken from the Aesop Fable, "The Shepherd-boy and the Wolf."
WOOL
to pull the wool over one's eyes
To hoodwink.
WORM
even the worm will turn
Even a meek person will become angry if you abuse him or her too much.
book worm
one who reads a lot
can of worms
a controversial issue, an old problem
the early bird catches the worm
Don't procrastinate (unless maybe you’re the worm.)
worm
a wretched or spineless person
worm
a program that duplicates itself many times in a network and prevents its destruction
[A][B] [C][D][E][F][G][H][I][J] K][L][M][N] [O][P][Q][R][S][T][U][V] [W][X][Y][Z]
[TOP]
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment