Animal idioms

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Mad-ox

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hi,


Let's play and learn! :-D

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
 
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Tdol

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Horses for courses:

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

Ouisch

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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

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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.
 
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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. :p
 

Mad-ox

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'' 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
 
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"It's a dog eat dog world."

Meaning: It is a ruthlessly competitive world.
 
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Mad-ox

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hi,:-D
''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
 

Mad-ox

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hi:-D
"get/have butterflies" means get/have a nervous feeling in your stomach before doing something.
eg.:-D
I always get butterflies before an interview.:roll:
have a nice day,:-D
madox
 
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what a great subject

really sharing is caring, and we have to share each other by every new we obtain.

really i benefit more from this idioms in my daily conversations.

here mine:

a little bird told me

Definition: used to say that you know something, but you will not say how you found out.

Example: A little bird told me that you've got engaged. ^_^
 

Tdol

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Eat like a horse- eat a lot
 

Mad-ox

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hi again,:-D

"crocodile tears" = insincere show of sadness

eg. They never visited her when she was ill, but they came to her funeral and wept a few crocodile tears.

Have a nice day.
 

Mad-ox

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Have a nice day.
 
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Monkey business - silly or mischievous behavior

Example: As soon as the teacher left the classroom, the
students were back to their monkey business. ;)
 

RobbieCook

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"Cat got your tongue?"

Usually used after some one has been asked a question they'd rather not answer and so they don't reply. It can come across as being a little bit impolite using it some times though.
 

Mad-ox

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hi again,:-D

"a horse af another colour" this idiom is synonymous with "another pair of shoes" and there meaning " quite a different matter"

eg. You should have told be that it is about your brother and not about your step mother! That's a horse of another colour.

madox
 
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Mad-ox

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:hi:


''the lion's share'' = the larger part of something that is being shared

madox:eyes:
 

riverkid

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I could eat a horse = be extremely hungry

Get a horse - this is kind of a dated one; said when someone's driving an old wreck of a car.

Useless as teats on a bull = completely useless
 

Mad-ox

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I could eat a horse = be extremely hungry


hi,

I would like to add that "eat like a horse" means eat very lage quantities of food; while "eat your head off" means eat a lot, often at a great cost.

have a nice day!:-D

madox
 
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