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Animal idioms are expressions using animal names to convey specific meanings. These idioms often illustrate everyday life, emotions, and situations. For instance, horse idioms like “hold your horses” mean to be patient. Similarly, chicken idioms such as “chicken out” signify backing out from something.
Nov 7, 2024 · Animal idioms add color and vitality to the English language, drawing from the characteristics and behaviors of various creatures to express complex human situations and emotions. These expressions have evolved over centuries, becoming deeply embedded in everyday communication while reflecting cultural observations and wisdom. Common Categories of Animal Idioms Bird-Related Expressions The ...
- Don’T Count Your Chickens Before They Hatch
- Like A Bull in A China Shop
- Go Hog Wild
- In A Pig’S Eye
- Don’T Make A Mountain Out of A Molehill
- As Busy as A Bee
- Butter Someone Up
- A Leopard Can’T Change Its Spots
- A Cat Has Nine Lives
- A Snake in The Grass
Meaning:Don’t assume something will happen until it actually does. In a Sentence:I was confident I’d win the lottery, but now I realize I shouldn’t count my chickens before they hatch.
Meaning:Someone is clumsy or reckless and likely to cause damage or chaos. In a Sentence:When Tom tried to fix the delicate vase, he handled it like a bull in a china shop, and now it’s shattered.
Meaning:To do something with great enthusiasm or abandon. In a Sentence:At the concert, the crowd went hog wild as their favorite band took the stage.
Meaning:No, definitely not. In a Sentence:Bob asked for a promotion, but in a pig’s eye, he was getting it with his recent performance.
Meaning:Don’t make a big deal out of something that is not important. In a Sentence:She tends to make a mountain out of a molehill, worrying about minor issues excessively.
Meaning:Someone is very busy and active. In a Sentence:During the holiday season, the elves at the workshop are as busy as bees.
Meaning:To flatter someone to gain favor or advantage. In a Sentence:He tried to butter up the boss before asking for a day off.
Meaning:People cannot change their basic nature. In a Sentence:Despite promising to be more organized, Jane’s room remains a mess—a leopard can’t change its spots.
Meaning:Someone is very lucky. In a Sentence:Even after the car accident, Tim survived without a scratch—he must have a cat’s nine lives.
Meaning:Someone who is untrustworthy or sneaky. In a Sentence:Be cautious; he might be a snake in the grass pretending to be your friend.
- At a snail’s pace. Meaning: Moving very slowly. This idiom is pretty self-explanatory because we know that snails and slugs move very slowly. This idiom has been used for a very long time.
- Busy as a bee. Meaning: Extremely busy. This idiom originated from Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales” (specifically, “The Squire’s Tale”) which was written around 1386.
- Open a can of worms. Meaning: Create a whole new set of problems. This phrase is often used when you try to solve a problem or answer a question, but you only create more problems or more questions.
- Wild goose chase. Meaning: Chasing something that’s very difficult (or impossible) to catch. Imagine chasing a wild goose around and trying to catch it.
- Out of the blue: The first of our idioms for surprise. When people say something came out of the blue, they mean that it was unexpected or sudden. Usually, we are shocked – we wonder: “What just happened?”
- Blows my mind: An explosive addition to our idioms for surprise. This idiom means we feel very shocked. When somebody says “it blows my mind”, it means that they can’t fathom why something happened.
- Taken aback. Taken about means that we are so surprised that we (not literally) move backward in shock. It is often followed with the preposition by. Below you will find an example sentence.
- Disconcerted (to be rather disconcerted) To be disconcerted is to be confused and slightly upset about an event. It is commonly used as an expression of disbelief.
Nov 18, 2023 · Let the cat out of the bag. Meaning: To reveal a secret or disclose information that was meant to be kept confidential. Example: John accidentally let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party. #5. Monkey see, monkey do. Meaning: Imitating the actions of others without understanding the reasons behind them.
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Nov 21, 2023 · 12. “Killing Two Birds with One Stone”. Idiom: Killing Two Birds with One Stone. Meaning: To accomplish two different tasks in a single action, efficiently solving two problems. Use in a Sentence: By studying while I commute, I’m killing two birds with one stone. 13. “Ants in Your Pants”. Idiom: Ants in Your Pants.
