Animal idioms

[Mad-ox]

hi,


Let's play and learn!

I opened this topic for each of us to write an idiom which contains a name of an animal.( cat, dog, lion, horse, lizard etc) The idiom MUST be explained by the one who posts it! Please, illustrate your idiom with an example.

Mine is the following:

"dark horse" - a person who hides their feelings, plans, activities, etc

e.g.

You are a dark house! I had no idea you could play the piano so well.


best wishes,

Madox

[Tdol]

Horses for courses:

Different situations require different ways of handling them, or different people, etc.

[Ouisch]

Cat that swallowed the canary. To appear smug or self-satisfied.

I knew that Mary was going to win the trivia contest, because when she wrote down her final answer, she looked just like the cat that had swallowed the canary.

[mykwyner]

In the US, a "dark horse" is political slang for a candidate with no background in politics who has a good chance of winning the election.

To continue the game, here's one my dad taught me:

"My dogs are barking."

meaning: My feet are killing me.

[englishstudent]

Originally Posted by mykwyner

In the US, a "dark horse" is political slang for a candidate with no background in politics who has a good chance of winning the election.
To continue the game, here's one my dad taught me:
"My dogs are barking."
meaning: My feet are killing me.

I would have never guessed that meaning. :)

Here is one that Ross Perot (presidential candidate in '92) seemed
fond of using:

That dog won't hunt.

Meaning: Something (such as a plan) won't work.

Perhaps someone else can explain it better.

[Mad-ox]

'' be like a dog with two tails'' means be extremly happy

eg. Is he pleased with his new job? He's like a dog with two tails.




have a nice day,
madox

[englishstudent]

"It's a dog eat dog world."

Meaning: It is a ruthlessly competitive world.

[Mad-ox]

hi,
''let the cat out of the bag'' means ''make known a secret, usually without realizing what you are doing.
eg.
Who let the cat out of the bag? I'm afraid I did. I thought everybody already knew.
best wishes,
madox

[englishstudent]

"You can't teach an old dog new tricks."

Meaning: People don't change, or want to learn new things
as they get old(er).

[Mad-ox]

hi
"get/have butterflies" means get/have a nervous feeling in your stomach before doing something.
eg.
I always get butterflies before an interview.
have a nice day,
madox