Animal Idioms
Animals are popular in idioms because they’re associated with specific traits: dogs are loyal, foxes are clever, and so on.
Dog Idioms
Let sleeping dogs lie
Meaning: Don’t bring up old problems that could cause trouble
- The argument is over - let sleeping dogs lie.
- I know you’re still upset, but let sleeping dogs lie.
- Sometimes it’s best to let sleeping dogs lie.
Every dog has its day
Meaning: Everyone will have success or luck eventually
- Don’t worry, every dog has its day - your time will come.
- I finally got promoted - every dog has its day!
It’s a dog’s life
Meaning: A miserable existence (despite dogs being well-treated today!)
- Working 12-hour shifts - it’s a dog’s life.
- With all these problems, it’s a dog’s life.
You can’t teach an old dog new tricks
Meaning: Older people are set in their ways and resist change
- Dad refuses to use email - you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
- Sometimes you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
Barking up the wrong tree
Meaning: Looking in the wrong place or accusing the wrong person
- If you think I took it, you’re barking up the wrong tree.
- The police were barking up the wrong tree for months.
Origin: This comes from hunting dogs that bark at the base of a tree where they think prey is hiding - sometimes they get the wrong tree!
Cat Idioms
Let the cat out of the bag
Meaning: To reveal a secret accidentally
- Who let the cat out of the bag about the party?
- Don’t let the cat out of the bag - it’s a surprise!
- She accidentally let the cat out of the bag.
Curiosity killed the cat
Meaning: Being too nosy can get you in trouble
- Stop asking so many questions - curiosity killed the cat!
- Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back.
Cat got your tongue?
Meaning: Why aren’t you saying anything?
- What’s wrong? Cat got your tongue?
- She usually talks a lot, but tonight the cat got her tongue.
Like a cat on a hot tin roof
Meaning: Very nervous or anxious
- Before the interview, I was like a cat on a hot tin roof.
- He’s been like a cat on a hot tin roof waiting for results.
When the cat’s away, the mice will play
Meaning: People misbehave when supervision is absent
- The boss is on vacation - when the cat’s away, the mice will play!
- Workers are more relaxed when the manager leaves - when the cat’s away…
Bird Idioms
Kill two birds with one stone
Meaning: To accomplish two things with one action
- I’ll visit mom and pick up my mail - kill two birds with one stone.
- Cycling to work lets you exercise and commute - killing two birds with one stone.
A little bird told me
Meaning: I heard from a secret source
- A little bird told me you’re getting married!
- How did you know? - A little bird told me.
Birds of a feather flock together
Meaning: Similar people tend to associate with each other
- They’re both artists - birds of a feather flock together.
- It’s natural that they’re friends - birds of a feather flock together.
The early bird catches the worm
Meaning: Those who start early have an advantage
- I always arrive first - the early bird catches the worm.
- Get there early for the best seats - the early bird catches the worm.
Eat like a bird
Meaning: To eat very little
- She eats like a bird - just a salad for lunch.
- I’m not very hungry; I eat like a bird when I’m stressed.
Fun fact: Birds actually eat a lot relative to their body weight - but the idiom suggests eating very little!
Other Animal Idioms
The elephant in the room
Meaning: An obvious problem that no one wants to discuss
- Let’s address the elephant in the room - the budget is too low.
- His addiction was the elephant in the room at family dinners.
Hold your horses
Meaning: Wait, slow down, be patient
- Hold your horses - we’re not ready to leave yet!
- Hold your horses, let me finish explaining.
A fish out of water
Meaning: Someone uncomfortable in an unfamiliar situation
- At the formal dinner, I felt like a fish out of water.
- New employees often feel like fish out of water.
Don’t count your chickens before they hatch
Meaning: Don’t assume something will happen before it does
- You haven’t got the job yet - don’t count your chickens before they hatch.
- Don’t count your chickens - anything could happen.
Straight from the horse’s mouth
Meaning: From the original or most reliable source
- I heard it straight from the horse’s mouth - the CEO told me.
- Is that true? Did you hear it straight from the horse’s mouth?
Open a can of worms
Meaning: To create a complicated situation
- Asking about salaries will open a can of worms.
- That question opened a can of worms we weren’t prepared for.