Animal idioms

[Teia]

the donkey work = the hard, boring parts of a job

eg. Why it is always me who has to do the donkey work? :-D

donkey work:

Madox

Poor animal! Or, shall I say, happy? He doesn`t need to work, at least for a while!

 

[Veron1]

Very good, indeed. I like it!

Thank you :-D

Thank you Veron. I like your replies on this post, as well!:up:

You are welcome:-o
But you have to give something in return
Here in Tunisia when sb buys sth or succeeds s/he must give something such as: cookies,coka cola

What are you going to give to the members here,Teia!

I.A;-)

 

[Teia]

As rare as hen's teeth:

quite rare
​

I remember asking my grandma about hens` teeth when I was a little girl. She looked at me and burst out laughing; her eyes filled with tears [laughing tears]; I was waiting for her answer but she still could not give an answer to me because she couldn`t stop laughing. :lol:

 

[Teia]

Thank you :-D

You are welcome:-o
But you have to give something in return
Here in Tunisia when sb buys sth or succeeds s/he must give something such as: cookies,coka cola

What are you going to give to the members here,Teia!

I.A;-)

Hi Veron

I`m so sorry I can`t offer you anything ,but my sincere hugs.

Lots of cookies and cola would be just fine, I think:lol:

:cheers:

 

[Veron1]

Hi Veron

I`m so sorry I can`t offer you anything ,but my sincere hugs.

Lots of cookies and cola would be just fine, I think:lol:

:cheers:

It's ok ,Teia:up:
I was just kidding:lol:
Your sincere hugs are enough

See you

I.A;-)

 

[hitest]

"the tail wagging the dog" - the situation is the reverse of normal, with intonations that the effect is seen as the cause.

"cart before the horse" - doing things backwards, ineffectually.

 

[hitest]

On the beating/flogging of equines ;-)

"beat it like a rented mule"- meaning treat it with little regard, as long as you get what you want out of it...

 

[hitest]

" like water off a duck's back" - refering to an event/outcome as being natural, unconscious, effortless , having no effect

...their insults were cast aside like water off a duck's back.

 

[RonBee]

Instead of telling you the answer, I'll ask a question.

"A fish out of water"
​

What does that one mean? For example, what does it mean if someone says, "He was like a fish out of water"?

~R

 

[Mad-ox]

Instead of telling you the answer, I'll ask a question.

"A fish out of water"
​

What does that one mean? For example, what does it mean if someone says, "He was like a fish out of water"?

~R

:hi:

a fish out of water = a person who feels unconfortable or embarrassed in unfamiliar surroundings.

eg. Everybody else knew each other really well, so I felt a bit like a fish out of water.

a fish out of water:

Madox

 

[RonBee]

:hi:

a fish out of water = a person who feels unconfortable or embarrassed in unfamiliar surroundings.

eg. Everybody else knew each other really well, so I felt a bit like a fish out of water.

a fish out of water:

Madox

Yep. Here's another example:

In his new job he felt like a fish out of water. He didn't feel competent. He didn't feel comfortable. He didn't think he was learning things fast enough, and he wasn't sure if he would ever get to where he thought he should be.
​

~R

 

[Hamid]

thanks mate but example please

 

[Hamid]

A dog in the Manger: A person who niether works himself nor lets others do their work

thanks mate but example please

 

[Hamid]

Donkey's years = Several decades or very long time

 

[Mad-ox]

Donkey's years = Several decades or very long time

Great!!!!

Donkey's years:

Madox

 

[blouen]

Great!!!!

Donkey's years:

Madox

Hi Madox,
Why not join me here, to write in idioms, for practice:

https://www.usingenglish.com/forum/english-idioms-sayings/48115-let-s-write-idioms.html

 

[Hamid]

Dog's life = unhappy life

( a case of ) dog eat dog = situation in politic, business..etc where people are willing to harm each other in order to secceed

 

[DivingDeep]

have a whale of a time= to enjoy yourself very much

**The kids had a whale of a time at the theme park.

 

[hitest]

"swimming with the sharks" = to be in dangerous ( I think also difficult to deal with) company, often refering to business situations where one anticipates strong competition.

As a new lawyer looking across the courtroom at the defendent's dream team of high priced attornies, John knew he was now swimming with the sharks.

 

[Mad-ox]

:hi:

(as) happy as a clam = very happy

eg.

Grandmother is as happy as a clam helping the children to fly their kites.

happy as a clam:

Madox