Animal idioms

[Miner49'er]

Some about fish:

a different kettle of fish; different, not the same A cult is not a religion. A cult is a different kettle of fish entirely.

bigger fish to fry; more important people to meet or do business with. Don't bother fighting with him. You've got bigger fish to fry.

drink like a fish; drink a lot of liquor every day. If Hal is coming to visit, buy lots of beer. He drinks like a fish.


fish and company stink after three days; Fish should be eaten while it is fresh, and guests should not stay too long. Grandfather had this sign on the wall of his garage: Fish and company stink after three days!

fish for a compliment; Hint that he wants a compliment. If Al mentions cars, he's fishing for a compliment on his Jaguar.

Fish or cut bait; do it instead of talking about it. Less talk and more action. You've been bragging about what a great cook you are, so you make dinner. It's time to fish or cut bait!

fishy; not right, not fair, something smells fishy "Why don't you like this deal?" "Because it's fishy. Nobody sells a Mercedes for such a low price."

shooting fish in a barrel; A task that is too easy, a game without challenge We won 18-2. It was like shooting fish in a barrel.

there's something fishy; there is something wrong, there is something strange There's something fishy about a 1970 car with only 5000 km.

[RonBee]

Re:

I am so hungry I could eat a horse.

Meaning:

I am quite hungry.

~R

[Dulcinea]

Hi eveybody!

Here´s one my brother once taught me:
"It´s like hitting the dead horse", meaning it´s useless. I was very much in love with a very sweet guy who was unfortunately not that much in love with me, so he said: Sweetie, it´s like hitting the dead horse. It was not a happy comment but definitely instructive.

[RonBee]

I believe the expression is "beating a dead horse", but "hitting a dead horse" is very close.

Don't forget to let sleeping dogs lie.

[curmudgeon]

'Flogging a dead horse' is the one

http://www.usingenglish.com/referenc...ead-horse.html

[RonBee]

In AE it's "beating a dead horse", but it's the same thing.

~R

[curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by RonBee

In AE it's "beating a dead horse", but it's the same thing.

~R

So it's not a horse of a different colour?

[RonBee]

Originally Posted by curmudgeon

So it's not a horse of a different colour?

No, it's the same color.

[curmudgeon]

Six of one and half a dozen of the other?

[RonBee]

Originally Posted by curmudgeon

Six of one and half a dozen of the other?

Something like that.