Table of Contents
Introduction
Have you ever noticed how animals often find their way into our everyday language? From “raining cats and dogs” to “wolf in sheep’s clothing,” animal idioms add color and imagery to our conversations. Let’s dive into some of these expressions and their meanings.
English Vocabulary: 40 Idioms with Animals
Here are forty idioms with animals:
- Raining cats and dogs: Refers to heavy rainfall.
- Example: We had to cancel the picnic because it was raining cats and dogs.
- Have a cow: Become upset or angry.
- Example: Don’t have a cow, but I accidentally spilled coffee on your shirt.
- Little birdy: Someone who shares a secret.
- Example: A little birdy told me that Sara is getting promoted.
- Scaredy cat: Someone who is easily frightened.
- Example: Tom won’t go near the haunted house; he’s such a scaredy cat.
- Dog-eat-dog: A ruthless or competitive situation.
- Example: The business world can be dog-eat-dog; you have to be tough to survive.
- Fishy: Suspicious or dishonest.
- Example: His excuse for being late seems fishy to me.
- Bigger fish to fry: More important matters to attend to.
- Example: I can’t deal with your request right now; I have bigger fish to fry.
- Drink like a fish: Consume large amounts of alcohol.
- Example: He drank like a fish at the party last night.
- Fish out of water: Feel out of place or uncomfortable.
- Example: As an introvert, I always feel like a fish out of water at loud parties.
- Fishing in troubled waters: Trying to take advantage of a situation.
- Example: It’s clear he’s fishing in troubled waters by trying to exploit the company’s financial problems.
- Let sleeping dogs lie: Avoid stirring up old problems.
- Example: I know you want to confront him, but sometimes it’s best to let sleeping dogs lie.
- Help a lame dog over a stile: Assist someone in difficulty.
- Example: Sarah always helps a lame dog over a stile; she’s the first to offer support in tough situations.
- Bird’s-eye view: A broad perspective from above.
- Example: From the top of the mountain, we had a bird’s-eye view of the entire valley.
- Wild goose chase: A futile pursuit.
- Example: Trying to find my keys in this mess is like a wild goose chase.
- Eager beaver: Someone who is enthusiastic or hardworking.
- Example: She’s always the first to volunteer; such an eager beaver.
- Busy as a bee: Very busy or industrious.
- Example: With three projects due this week, I’m as busy as a bee.
- Sly as a fox: Cunning or crafty.
- Example: He’s sly as a fox; he always finds a way to get what he wants.
- Happy as a clam: Very content or satisfied.
- Example: After receiving the promotion, he’s happy as a clam.
- Lion’s share: The largest portion.
- Example: He took the lion’s share of the credit for the project.
- Wolf in sheep’s clothing: Someone who appears harmless but is actually dangerous.
- Example: Watch out for him; he’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
- Bull in a china shop: Someone who is clumsy or reckless.
- Example: When it comes to delicate tasks, he’s like a bull in a china shop.
- Like a moth to a flame: Attracted to something despite the danger.
- Example: Despite knowing the risks, he’s drawn to danger like a moth to a flame.
- Monkey see, monkey do: Imitating without thinking.
- Example: Children often learn by monkey see, monkey do.
- Hold your horses: Wait or be patient.
- Example: Hold your horses, I’m almost ready to leave.
- Don’t count your chickens before they hatch: Don’t anticipate success prematurely.
- Example: Don’t start celebrating yet; let’s not count our chickens before they hatch.
- Get your ducks in a row: Get organized.
- Example: Before the meeting, make sure you have all your ducks in a row.
- Make a mountain out of a molehill: Exaggerate a minor issue.
- Example: Stop making a mountain out of a molehill; it’s just a small scratch.
- Straight from the horse’s mouth: From a reliable source.
- Example: I heard it straight from the horse’s mouth that the store is closing down.
- Cry wolf: To raise a false alarm.
- Example: Don’t cry wolf about every little problem; people won’t take you seriously when it really matters.
- Black sheep: A person who is viewed unfavorably in a group.
- Example: In a family of doctors, she was the black sheep for choosing to become an artist.
- Let the cat out of the bag: Reveal a secret.
- Example: I accidentally let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.
- Frog in your throat: Hoarseness or difficulty speaking.
- Example: I can’t talk properly; I feel like I have a frog in my throat.
- All bark and no bite: Threatening but ineffectual.
- Example: He talks tough, but he’s all bark and no bite.
- The elephant in the room: Obvious problem everyone ignores.
- Example: We need to address the elephant in the room before it gets worse.
- Ants in your pants: Restlessness or agitation.
- Example: He can’t sit still; he must have ants in his pants.
- Crocodile tears: Fake or insincere tears.
- Example: She shed crocodile tears when she got caught cheating.
- Nest egg: Savings set aside for the future.
- Example: They’ve been building their nest egg for retirement.
- A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush: It’s better to have something certain than the possibility of something better.
- Example: I know you want a higher-paying job, but don’t forget that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
- To kill two birds with one stone: Achieve two objectives with a single action.
- Example: By scheduling our meeting at the café, we’ll kill two birds with one stone.
- Dog days: The hottest days of summer.
- Example: During the dog days, we prefer to stay indoors where it’s cool.
Conclusion
Idioms with animals bring vivid imagery and depth to our language, allowing us to express ideas and emotions in creative ways. These idiomatic expressions enrich our communication and make conversations more colorful.
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