Animal Idioms, Sayings and Expressions
Working hard.
to be very restless and impatient
become extremely excited
Someone who makes threats all the time, seldom carries out the threats.
Pursue an erroneous course of action.
Someone comes across as being very mean and nasty, but doesn't necessarily act on their threats
You should not do something you hired some one else to do.
unaware.
to be mad or eccentric; have strange ideas
Fast.
Gruff.
smooth and slick
Very disgruntled.
try harder
accept the most blame or responsibility
cranky
To be prepared for any possibility. Originally this phrase had a hunting significance dating back to possibly a time when the west was wild and woolly. Modern slang has introduced a new meaning into the phrase -- to be well loaded; drunk.
"Bears are notoriously difficult to kill. Wounded grizzlies will sometime pursue those who hunt them. I have always understood 'loaded for bear' to mean that one is equipping (or over-equipping) oneself for an extraordinary hunt."
and
"In the days of the old muzzle loading rifles or shotguns, every load was unique, and suited to the occasion, if desired. You could use a small load of powder for squirrel, or more for larger animals. The bear, apparently particularly hard to kill and dangerous when wounded, called for a large load of powder and shot. Hence, the term 'loaded for bear' means 'maxed out', or prepared for the greatest challenge.When you were loaded for bear, and did shoot, the kick of the gun was a real kick, too."
to have a very difficult problem to solve
very hungry
Busy.
someone who is very eager to do something
Busy.
a busy place, a room full of working people
go straight towards
the best, superior, the cat's meow
to be up in a tizzy about something.
Don't go after something if it means loosing what you have.
worn or broken
joyful, very happy
be overcome with excitement or grief
no clothes on, bare naked, in the nude
A person is "sitting pretty" or in a "favored position." This saying was popularized, at least, in these here parts [Texas], by a short story entitled "Catbird Seat," which was written by the well-known American writer of humorous fiction--James Thurber. Thurber, of "Walter Mitty" fame, gives credit to Red Barber--the down--home Southern baseball sports announcer for introducing this rural idiom to the mainstream American public. According to Thurber, the phrase means: being in an advantageous position.
Not for me.
Free.
I won't tell you who told me.
To stick up your middle finger in a derogatory way.
Seen from above.
"The saying 'a wet bird never flies at night' was a catch phrase used by Jackie Vernon - a stand up comic on the television in the 70's. You're probably not old enough to remember him - but he had a very dry humor and never smiled. Think he might also have been the one that said 'It's bad luck to blow-dry a wet raccoon.'"
People who live together should try hard to get along peacefully.
Similar people tend to associate with each other.
It's the details that make something good.
someone's buttock's
Accomplishing two things at the same time.
Informal. the person in question has fled or escaped
Euphemistic or jocular. sex and sexual reproduction
Informal
a. to be fired or dismissed
b. (esp of a public performer) to be hissed at, booed, or derided
Informal. to tell (someone) rudely to depart; scoff at; hiss
without resistance or difficulty
Don't procrastinate (unless maybe you’re the worm.)
loony
To give you a compliment.
Comfortable.
Sleep Well.
have the same interest or hobby
very quickly, in a flash
Volkswagen Beetle, The Bug
told me secretly, a little bird told me
Leave me in peace.
On the theory that the smaller they come the cuter they are.
loony
Crazy.
To be extremely ignorant.
to face and tackle a difficulty without shirking.
US slang. to talk lightly or foolishly
to be stubborn
completely useless
untrue story
Gathering of people talking.
Someone who heedless of physical damage or the personal feelings of anyone, shoulders his way though delicate situations.
a clump of dust or lint
a dying or a worthless animal
To criticize other people for minor offences while ignoring major offenses.
obvious
The thing to push you over the edge.
To look proud of ones self.
The top of the line
to play with a person or animal in a cruel or teasing way. esp before a final act of cruelty or unkindness
a person who is afraid, a coward
to have a big smile because of something you're really happy you did
Irish informal. a bad-tempered person: she's a real bag of cats this morning.
no chance at all
Futile.
to fight until both parties are destroyed
very conceited
She is unflappable.
very expensive
no chance at all
very weak
for something to be wrong
A person is "sitting pretty" or in a "favored position." This saying was popularized, at least, in these here parts [Texas], by a short story entitled "Catbird Seat," which was written by the well-known American writer of humorous fiction--James Thurber. Thurber, of "Walter Mitty " fame, gives credit to Red Barber--the down--home Southern baseball sports announcer for this rural idiom to the mainstream American public. According to Thurber, the phrase means: being in an advantageous position.
"I'm from a neighborhood with a tremendous amount of wild or at least free-roaming cats. Often, in the middle of an early spring or summer night i would be awakened by the calls of cat's in mating. Each time, one of the sounds I heard was similar to the "wit-woo" sound associated with the cat-call whistle. Perhaps people adopted that sound, changed it to a whistle, and associated it with seeing an attractive woman, thus calling the sound these men made, cat calls."
A person high up in the business world with a lot of money.
No one is so important that an ordinary person cannot look at him or her. Everyone can be curious about important people.
Do something in a way that no one knows it is you doing it.
Telling something which has been a secret.
Some one who mimics some one else.
A mid-day nap.
Any homeless or stray cat. By extension -- a prostitute.
A humorously derogatory comment on someone's arrival.
to appear disheveled or bedraggled.
All that and a bag of chips.
Warning about being curious.
Cats can survive things that are severe enough to kill them.
Sometimes you cannot get what you want by being careful and polite.
In the dark, appearances are meaningless.
Nervous
Agitated.
in an uneasy or agitated state.
Unable to speak.
put, set, etc., {the cat among the pigeons}
to introduce some violently disturbing new element
Do not support anyone who does not or cannot do something useful for you in return.
To tell a secret -- normally accidentally.
Very little room.
It is raining very hard.
There is more then one way to do something.
Without supervision, people misbehave.
To look proud of ones self.
acts foolishly
my goodness; what do you know
quarrelling savagely
all form and no substance
meringue
do not hurry
to rejoice (I don't think the calf is rejoicing though) or prepare for a fun and happy party or a warm welcome
Don't assume you have something until you really have it.
enough food for every family
Informal. any of various, often dangerous, games or challenges in which the object is to make one's opponent lose his nerve.
back out from fear or lose one's nerve
to have something to argue about with someone
in a wild, crazy manner
a cowardly person
Slang. a young inexperienced person
You have to face the consequences of your mistakes or bad deeds.
old
There is always a problem.
There is always a problem.
Very little (or low in value.)
Very Poor. This saying likely arose from some folk tale relating the sad experience of a mouse trying to find food for itself and its starving little ones in a church. No pantry, no meal bag, no grain bin made the struggle for existence most difficult.
"Happy as a Clam" is not the original quote. It has been shortened. Why is a Clam particularly happy? The original quote was "Happy as a Clam in High Tide". Which of course is when the clam is the safest.
Informal. to keep or become silent or withhold information
untrue story
an illegitimate child
Why pay for something that you can get for free otherwise.
extremely steep
that is exciting, geez, gosh, wow
very big
milk
very dark
Someone or something that has a ton of cash and supports someone else with it--a business' big clients would be called cash cows.
Any tune which has been played ad nauseam.
Personal possession cherished by its owner or a person or thing immune to criticism or questioning
Don't get hysterically mad.
what next, or what's going on
late hours or for a long time
describes a problem that is annoying and/or won't go away
refers to a bird's craw (gullet), in which food is ground by sand eaten for this purpose
Fake tears. This expression comes from a story that a crocodile moans and sobs like a person in great distress in order to lure a man into its reach, and then after devouring him sheds bitter tears over the dire fate of its victim.
From point A to point B directly.
Taking back your words.
Brit. and Austral. slang. an expression of surprise, dismay, etc
to make someone angry
Dead; obsolete; completely washed up.
Taken a turn for the worse.
The drink you drink in the morning to get over the drinks you drank the night before.
(Australian Idiom)
A saying Australians use "the day after". That is to say the following morning after being out drinking and feeling "seedy" (i.e. hung-over) - the comment will be made to have some "hair of the dog", this is to infer that if you have some more to drink, generally the same as you were drinking the previous night the hangover will be gone, or at least
My feet are hurting
In trouble.
Very tired.
Very sick.
Put on a good performance to impress someone, such as "I've got to do the 'dog and pony show' for my boss today."
Australian. the number of dogs needed to sleep cuddled up to for keeping warm
Very hot days in July and August. It is the period in which the Dog Star, Sirius, rises in conjunction with the sun.
Something bad.
The fairway turns in a golf course.
One disreputable person will not harm another disreputable person.
Vicious world.
It’s an easy life
my goodness; what do you know
The time will come to each of us to chuck one's weight around; to exhibit a periods of ostentation, influence or power.
If you associate with bad people, you will acquire their faults.
Cease some objectionable line of conduct. The analogy is that of the chase, in which dogs following a wrong sent are called off.
Very Mean.
ruthless competition or self-interest
fast, very quickly
very sad; pitiful
no chance at all
a wretched existence
very sick
bartender
important person
I don't want to cut the cards
quarrelling savagely
someone's buttock's
Informal. dressed smartly or ostentatiously
US and Canadian informal. to behave or dress in an ostentatious or showy manner
Don't bring up an old issue/topic that will raise tempers or cause an argument
If you love someone, you should accept everything and everyone that person loves.
Raining heavily.
You should not do something you hired some one else to do.
Someone who is used to doing things a certain way cannot change.
dishonest
very happy
Work very hard.
a terrible liar
my goodness; what do you know
a mixture of many things, a hodgepodge
boss, leader, head honcho
not pleasant, not popular
a person who will not share something he does not use or need
be lazy, not work
followed me, bothered me
go use the toilet
Informal. something that is messy or bungled
Easy.
most important person in a small group
Assume the obvious.
leave, run away, desert
it is great, it is wonderful
organized, planned; each person knows his job
great, fine, lovely
someone or something that is certain to fail
an elected officeholder whose term of office has not yet expired but who has failed to be re-elected and therefore cannot gather much political support for initiatives
very unhappy
An easy mark.
It rolls right off.
slippery
a person who can see details or errors
A cheap gift associated with a white elephant party.
Alt def: A gift you don't want and you don't know what to do with it.
Just that. They don't!
Never forgets.
very big
covered with freckles
a good-natured person
depending on one plan or one investment
encourage me, tell me to do it
embarrassed, outsmarted
zero, no score
go, leave, have a bad experience
be very careful
a fund of money kept in reserve; savings
an onion
There is always a problem.
an honor, a credit to you
lies, false stories
I was very surprised, I could not believe it
annoy you, bother you
fancy, troublesome things
individuals of the same character or background tend to stay together
to acquire wealth for oneself, especially by taking advantage of one's position or using the property of others
to uncover and bring to light by searching
Watery death
fish should be eaten while it is fresh, and guests should not stay too long
a task that is too easy, a game without challenge
neither this nor that
Looking to hear a compliment for one’s own self.
A terrible mess.
different, not the same
Out of one's element.
very busy
dishonest
A big drinker.
More important things to worry about.
Someone who has no competition in a particular group because of some trait; more rich, more beautiful, more talented.
If you associate with bad people, you will acquire their faults.
To caution.
very happy
Wouldn't harm anything.
open mouth
able to hear and see what a fly would see and hear
"savvy"
very happy
You have to sacrifice something to get what you want.
It is easier to get what you want by flattering people and being polite to them than by making demands.
crazy like a fox
chiefly US a sexually attractive woman
Informal. to perplex or confound: to fox a person with a problem
to cause (paper, wood, etc.) to become discoloured with spots, or (of paper, etc.) to become discoloured, as through mildew.
to trick; deceive
The person of most importance in any small community or group.
a foamy mass of threadlike green algae floating on ponds.
a short knife
Scratchy voice.
It is useless to wish for impossible things.
very fine
Tall
To criticize other people for minor offences while ignoring major offenses.
To distinguish the good from the bad.
an old man, a cranky man
One whom is inflicted punishment for the faults or wrongs of another. The poor scapegoat gets the punishment for everyone else's mistakes. God condoned this cruelty to animals in Leviticus 16:7-10 "And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the Lord, and the other for the scapegoat." The scapegoat got to escape, and carry the tribe's sins into the wilderness, to be eaten by some animal instead of being offered alive as a sacrifice for the Lord.
to irritate someone
What is good for one person is good for another; often what is good for the man is good for the woman. Also "what's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander".
Stupid.
everything is good
smooth and slick
the bumpy condition of the skin induced by cold, fear, etc., caused by contraction of the muscles at the base of the hair follicles with consequent erection of papillae: so called because of the resemblance to the skin of a freshly-plucked fowl. Also called: goose bumps, goose pimples, goose skin
a military march step in which the leg is swung rigidly to an exaggerated height. esp as in the German army in the Third Reich
he constantly exaggerates the importance of a person or thing
Informal.
a. to spoil someone's plans.
b. to bring about someone's ruin, downfall, etc.
to sacrifice future benefits for the sake of momentary present needs.
to prod (a person) playfully in the behind
all the time
shy
A vain pursuit of something, which, even if attained, would be worthless.
an iced cocktail of equal parts of cr*eme de menthe, cr*eme de cacao, and cream
unable to concentrate on any one subject for long
Irish informal. to defeat (someone) completely
To support both sides of a dispute.
You cannot do two things successfully at the same time.
to offer (goods) for sale, as in the street.
watch me carefully
a ruthless or rapacious person
having extremely keen sight
a person who advocates or supports war or warlike policies
Non-existent.
dialect. a term of address (often affectionate), used to women and girls
You must be willing to endure unpleasant, irritating things in order to get what you want.
have a work in progress
party for only women
Mad.
False trail.
Cockily independent.
nonsense
Informal. to do something thoroughly or unreservedly
very big
to do something completely or thoroughly
to take more than one's share of
to snore
Old farmer's way of letting you know that you're not too smart when you have made a discovery or an accomplishment.
To become highly enthusiastic.
Believing something (usually a falsity.)
Leg pain.
a little known, unexpectedly successful competitor
Something of a different nature.
A small town.
To act pretentiously. In the 14th century, persons of high rank were mounted on "high" horses, meaning they rode the heavy chargers used in battle or tournament.
Strong.
Having bad manners when accepting a gift. One can tell how old a horse is by looking into it's mouth -- it is equivalent to looking for the hallmark sign on the back of a greeting card. :)
Doing something in reversed order.
From the highest authority. The age of a race-horse can be guessed by looking at its teeth. So no matter what any one says on how old the horse is, one can tell by looking in the horse's mouth.
When two people do something together, one of them will be the leader and the other will be the subordinate.
It's no good just wishing. You have to act.
Don't procrastinate.
Even the most disasterous events won't keep me from coming.
You can offer someone something but you cannot insist that they take it (e.g. advice).
Common sense.
Hungry.
Entirely different situation.
Joking around.
Just wait a second.
To support both sides of a dispute.
Being bothered.
Bare, naked, unadorned.
To throw a fit.
a clump of dust or lint
without resistance
to give birth
a title given to Christ in the New Testament
British expression - Meaning a grown/older woman dressed like a teen/young girl. Ie. 60 year olds in mini skirts are considered mutton dressed as lamb.
Very fast.
Meek.
comes in rough and goes out gentle -- usually the month of March.
If you have decided to do something that will have unpleasant consequences, do it to the largest degree possible, so that you will feel the punishment was worth it.
Held back by another person no being able to do what you want, usually used in reference to people within romantic relationships.
very brave; courageous
The greater portion.
It comes in rough and goes out gentle -- usually the month of March.
That which is seen is copied.
wreck a project
Hilariously comical.
a naughty or mischievous person, esp a child
US and Canadian slang. an addict's dependence on a drug
a butt of derision; someone made to look a fool
Brit. slang. to care about or regard as important
US slang. a man's evening dress
Something that was silly and hilarious.
I am surprised.
No matter how you dress up something, for example an ugly person clad in a silk gown, it is still the same underneath for all the window dressing.
A metal plate to keep cannon balls from rolling around on war ships and many freighter.
Quiet.
Do not support anyone who does not or cannot do something useful for you in return.
It is dangerous to always depend on just one thing, because if it fails you, you will not have any alternatives.
Without supervision, people misbehave.
stubborn
Slang. a person who is paid to transport illegal drugs for a dealer.
kicks hard
to grin very wide
Children must eventually leave home.
to acquire wealth for oneself, especially by taking advantage of one's position or using the property of others
a fund of money kept in reserve; savings
Cold on the outside, but full of love on the inside
Drunk.
cranky, unco-operative, negative
I'm not foolish or easily frightened.
worthless
smooth and slick
having large round eyes, like those of an ox
He can do anything.
Informal. a very uncommunicative person
very, very sick; on your deathbed, sicker than a dog
Proud.
very happy, very pleased
describes the relative rank or importance of someone within a group
refers to hens establishing a dominance hierarchy by pecking
Irish and N.Z. successful; established: he's on the pig's back now.
Informal. to live in squalor.
Informal. to devour (food) greedily.
everybody gets lucky sometimes
Eat all you want.
nonsense
sweating a lot
Eat a lot.
it bleed very freely
that's amazing
a place to buy illicit liquor
happy and content
is or are uncouth and disgusting
Never.
Buy something without seeing it first.
An informer.
a person easily cheated or taken advantage of
having the toes turned inwards
to introduce some violently disturbing new element
To pretend; to deceive. If the possum is threatened with capture it will lie with closed eyes and limp muscles, and no amount of handling or ordinary abuse will cause it to show signs of life.
to grin very wide
Puppy love is a juvenile crush (another idiom) on a member of the opposite sex... the youngest and most infatuous of loves is puppy love!
I don't want to cut the cards
very proud
very pretty
lettuce, carrots, cabbage etc.
harmless, gentle
immoral person, liar, scum
person who tattles
tell the police or the authorities
Slang. chiefly US an informer; stool pigeon
Informal. a despicable person
an exclamation of rejection or disdain
Work force.
Think that there is a traitor.
Informal. a person who deserts his friends or associates, esp in time of trouble
Informal. a worker who works during a strike; blackleg; scab
very crooked
Feeling like you don't belong.
You have to face the consequences of your mistakes or bad deeds.
To control the home.
bet on a loser
to do to someone that which someone has done to you
to be irritated by something
A person who pretends they don't know how to play cards until they play for money, and then they play well and take all the profits.
Getting admission under false pretenses.
most troublesome member of the family
If you have decided to do something that will have unpleasant consequences, do it to the largest degree possible, so that you will feel the punishment was worth it.
To distinguish the good from the bad.
an onion
describes someone who is falling-down drunk, completely intoxicated
* skunks are not known to imbibe; the meaning is only in the rhyme
(this phrase is an alliteration)
Slow.
There is trouble.
very close
cruel and angry
From the Aesop story, "The Farmer and the Snake."
people do not change
Tricky – unable to trust.
Graceful.
what a surprise
Very fast.
to have a very difficult problem to solve
eager and alert
Thoroughly coward.
TICK
well-fed
a little upset, annoyed
a dynamic, forceful, or cruel person
Informal. to find oneself in a situation that has turned out to be much more difficult to control than one had expected.
Ugly.
very calm and content
a short knife
The person of most importance in any small community or group.
To talk straight or be honest.
very poor
Slang, chiefly US and Canadian. a thing or person that fails; dud.
covered with freckles
Slang, chiefly US and Canadian. a stupid, incompetent, or unappealing person
Words that weaken or detract from the effectiveness or force of another word or expression.
Informal.
1. to go back on a commitment
2. to evade a responsibility, esp in a despicable manner
to protect, to mentor.
with only the slightest hope of succeeding
flying
to restrict (someone's) freedom
Informal. to accomplish or perform something without full preparation or knowledge; improvise
Young people who are growing fast are hungry all of the time.
a voracious, grabbing, or fiercely cruel person or thing
a man who habitually tries to seduce women
to ward off starvation or privation
a person or animal who prefers to be alone
to abandon or deliver to destruction
to gulp
Getting admission under false pretenses.
If a couple gets married because they are in love, but they do not have any money, they will stop loving each other when the money runs out.
Taken from the Aesop Fable, "The Shepherd-boy and the Wolf."
To hoodwink.
Even a meek person will become angry if you abuse him or her too much.
one who reads a lot
a controversial issue, an old problem
Don't procrastinate (unless maybe you’re the worm.)
a wretched or spineless person
a program that duplicates itself many times in a network and prevents its destruction