Animal idioms

[sleepycloud]

Yes, good topic. It also reminds me of the James Thurber short story "The Catbird Seat", in which the phrase "Are we sitting in the catbird's seat?" is uttered.

It means something like "Are we pleased with ourselves?" (royal 'we'), but I'm not sure exactly why it means that.

[Mad-ox]

one swallow does not make a summer= you must not take too seriously a small sign that something is happening or will happen in the future


eg.
We got a big order from Transilvania this morning. Things are getting better. One swallow does not make a summer, you know. Do not be too optimistic.

swallow:



Madox

[Mad-ox]

make a pig of yourself= eat and drink too much; be greedy


eg.
He always makes such a pig of himself.

pig:



Madox

[Mad-ox]

hello

an albatross around somebody's neck= a problem, often one that is your own fault that prevents you from succeeding

eg.

That old car is an albatross around my neck. It has so many deffects that it prevents me from succeeding in my job.

Albatross:

Madox

[reutoged]

I have to say I don't know many animal iddioms but I am familiar with this one:
like a cat in the sack.
It means not knowing exactly what you're about to receive.

I like this game and I think I might use it in class.
Thanks a lot

[Mad-ox]

Big fish in a little sea/in a little pond: A person who's famous/ well-known but only in an unimportant area/ town.

eg.

I would rather stay here in the village and be a big fish in a little pond than go to the city where no one knows me.

Big fish in a little sea:

Madox

[RonBee]

Mad as a wet hen - very mad; very upset about something.

He was as mad as a wet hen. Somebody had eaten his lunch.

Ran around like a chicken with its head cut off - behaved as if very confused.

I ran around like a chicken with its head cut off. I didn't know what was going on.

[Mad-ox]

hello,

as stubborn as a mule= very determined not to change your opinion or attitude; obstinate

eg.
If you tell her what to do, she won't do it because she's as stubborn as a mule. Why not just suggest to her?

as stubborn as a mule:




Madox

[Mad-ox]

hi,

I have just found out that the idiom as stubborn as a mule is synonymous with another "animal idiom": pig-headed

pig-headed= stubborn, unwilling to listen to advice, obstinate, mulish






Madox

[Mad-ox]

hi,

water off a duck's back = This expression can be used to describe a situation where something has no effect on a person. It is usually used when criticism or harsh comments have no effect on someone. It is often used with the word "like".

eg.
I've warned her about the dangers of smoking thousands of times, but it's like water off a duck's back. ( It has no effect on her.)

water off a duck's back:




Madox