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English idioms

Animal idioms

Cats, dogs, horses and birds: common idioms that use animals to describe people and situations.

Idioms

  1. 1kill two birds with one stoneTo achieve two things with one action.I cycle to work, so I kill two birds with one stone – I get exercise and save money.
  2. 2let the cat out of the bagTo tell a secret by accident.We were planning a surprise party, but my brother let the cat out of the bag.
  3. 3bark up the wrong treeTo have the wrong idea about something or look for an answer in the wrong place.If you think I took your charger, you're barking up the wrong tree.
  4. 4the elephant in the roomAn obvious problem that everyone knows about but nobody wants to talk about.The budget cuts were the elephant in the room during the whole meeting.
  5. 5straight from the horse's mouthDirectly from the person who knows the facts best.I heard it straight from the horse's mouth – the manager told me herself.
  6. 6hold your horsesWait a moment and don't act too quickly.Hold your horses – we haven't agreed on the price yet.
  7. 7a wild goose chaseA long, useless search for something that is hard or impossible to find.The map was out of date, so we went on a wild goose chase around the old town.
  8. 8don't count your chickens before they hatchDon't be sure of a good result before it actually happens.The interview went well, but don't count your chickens before they hatch.
  9. 9a bird in the hand is worth two in the bushIt is better to keep something you have than risk it for something better you may not get.I'll accept the first job offer – a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
  10. 10birds of a feather flock togetherPeople who are similar in character or interests tend to spend time together.All his friends love video games too – birds of a feather flock together.
  11. 11curiosity killed the catBeing too curious about other people's business can get you into trouble."What's in the box?" "Never mind. Curiosity killed the cat."
  12. 12let sleeping dogs lieAvoid talking about an old problem because it could cause trouble again.They argued about it years ago. I'd let sleeping dogs lie.
  13. 13every dog has its dayEveryone gets a moment of success or luck at some point.Our team lost every game last season, but every dog has its day – we won the final.
  14. 14a dark horseA person who surprises others with hidden talents or unexpected success.Nobody expected her to win the competition – she was a real dark horse.
  15. 15plenty more fish in the seaThere are many other people or chances available, especially after a relationship ends.Forget him – there are plenty more fish in the sea.
  16. 16have bigger fish to fryTo have more important things to deal with.I'm not worried about the font – we have bigger fish to fry.
  17. 17you can lead a horse to waterYou can give someone a chance or advice, but you can't force them to use it.I sent him all the study notes, but you can lead a horse to water.
  18. 18flog a dead horseTo waste effort on something that has no chance of success.We've tried to fix this old system for years – we're flogging a dead horse.
  19. 19the black sheepA person who is seen as different from, or a disappointment to, their family or group.I'm the black sheep of the family – everyone else is a doctor.
  20. 20open a can of wormsTo start dealing with something that creates many new, complicated problems.Changing the holiday policy could open a can of worms.
  21. 21like a fish out of waterUncomfortable because you are in a situation that is new or strange to you.At my first business dinner I felt like a fish out of water.
  22. 22the lion's shareThe largest part of something.The marketing team got the lion's share of the budget.
  23. 23when pigs flyNever; used to say something will not happen."Will he ever arrive on time?" "Sure, when pigs fly."