💢 Guinea pig
✍🏾Meaning: Test subject
If someone or something is being used as a “guinea pig,” they’re being used as a test subject. It can be figuratively or literally. The origin of the phrase likely comes from the practice of animal testing, as guinea pigs are small rodents similar to mice and rats.
🔺Example: We’re conducting a study and we’re looking for volunteers to act as guinea pigs.
@IdiomsLand #animal-idioms
✍🏾Meaning: Test subject
If someone or something is being used as a “guinea pig,” they’re being used as a test subject. It can be figuratively or literally. The origin of the phrase likely comes from the practice of animal testing, as guinea pigs are small rodents similar to mice and rats.
🔺Example: We’re conducting a study and we’re looking for volunteers to act as guinea pigs.
@IdiomsLand #animal-idioms
📚 You can’t teach an old dog new tricks
✍🏾When someone says “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” they’re saying that there’s no point in changing someone’s established routine. They may also say that it’s very difficult to teach a new task to someone, almost impossible. This phrase comes from the difficulty of training older dogs.
🔺Example: My mom won’t learn how to use the computer. I guess you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
@IdiomsLand #animal_Idioms
✍🏾When someone says “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” they’re saying that there’s no point in changing someone’s established routine. They may also say that it’s very difficult to teach a new task to someone, almost impossible. This phrase comes from the difficulty of training older dogs.
🔺Example: My mom won’t learn how to use the computer. I guess you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
@IdiomsLand #animal_Idioms
📚Wolf in sheep’s clothing
✍🏾Meaning: Something or someone dangerous presenting as gentle, weak or innocent
Imagine a wolf who is dressed like a sheep as a costume. They may seem like a gentle sheep, but they’re actually quite dangerous.
This idiom often shows up in fables, but it’s believed to have originated in the Bible. When someone uses this idiom to describe someone, they’re warning you to be careful of someone who seems nice but they really aren’t.
🔺Example: Don’t trust him, he’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
@IdiomsLand #animal_Idioms
✍🏾Meaning: Something or someone dangerous presenting as gentle, weak or innocent
Imagine a wolf who is dressed like a sheep as a costume. They may seem like a gentle sheep, but they’re actually quite dangerous.
This idiom often shows up in fables, but it’s believed to have originated in the Bible. When someone uses this idiom to describe someone, they’re warning you to be careful of someone who seems nice but they really aren’t.
🔺Example: Don’t trust him, he’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
@IdiomsLand #animal_Idioms
📚Busy as a bee
✍🏾Meaning: Extremely busy
This idiom originated from Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales” (specifically, “The Squire’s Tale”) which was written around 1386. The English is very old, but the phrase remains popular to this day.
“Lo, suche sleightes and subtilitees
In wommen be, for ay as busy as bees.”
The above language looks very different from modern English, but the animal idiom is exactly the same. Today, the phrase is used to describe someone being very busy, but working with a purpose in a pleasant manner.
Example: My son is working on his science project. He’s been as busy as a bee all day.
@IdiomsLand #animal_Idioms
✍🏾Meaning: Extremely busy
This idiom originated from Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales” (specifically, “The Squire’s Tale”) which was written around 1386. The English is very old, but the phrase remains popular to this day.
“Lo, suche sleightes and subtilitees
In wommen be, for ay as busy as bees.”
The above language looks very different from modern English, but the animal idiom is exactly the same. Today, the phrase is used to describe someone being very busy, but working with a purpose in a pleasant manner.
Example: My son is working on his science project. He’s been as busy as a bee all day.
@IdiomsLand #animal_Idioms
📚 Open a can of worms
✍🏾Meaning: Create a whole new set of problems
This phrase is often used when you try to solve a problem or answer a question, but you only create more problems or more questions.
Nobody is sure of the exact origin of this idiom, but some people believe it came from a time when fisherman bought canned worms for bait. They would bring the worms to the fishing site, but if they knocked the can over, they had a whole new problem of catching their bait.
Some also believe that “can of worms” is a modern version of the idiom, “Pandora’s box.” Pandora’s box comes from an old myth, and it also means to create a new set of problems.
Example: You’ve opened a real can of worms here.
@IdiomsLand #animal_Idioms
✍🏾Meaning: Create a whole new set of problems
This phrase is often used when you try to solve a problem or answer a question, but you only create more problems or more questions.
Nobody is sure of the exact origin of this idiom, but some people believe it came from a time when fisherman bought canned worms for bait. They would bring the worms to the fishing site, but if they knocked the can over, they had a whole new problem of catching their bait.
Some also believe that “can of worms” is a modern version of the idiom, “Pandora’s box.” Pandora’s box comes from an old myth, and it also means to create a new set of problems.
Example: You’ve opened a real can of worms here.
@IdiomsLand #animal_Idioms
📚The world is your oyster
✍🏾Meaning: You have many good opportunities in front of you
It’s not easy to open an oyster. Finding opportunities in the world is like opening an oyster, meaning it’s not easy.
Sometimes, when you open an oyster, you’ll find a pearl. When you say that “the world is your oyster,” you have a positive outlook about the opportunities in front of you. If you have an oyster in your hands, it could contain a beautiful treasure that belongs completely to you.
Example: You just graduated from a wonderful university, so the world is your oyster!
@IdiomsLand #animal_Idioms
✍🏾Meaning: You have many good opportunities in front of you
It’s not easy to open an oyster. Finding opportunities in the world is like opening an oyster, meaning it’s not easy.
Sometimes, when you open an oyster, you’ll find a pearl. When you say that “the world is your oyster,” you have a positive outlook about the opportunities in front of you. If you have an oyster in your hands, it could contain a beautiful treasure that belongs completely to you.
Example: You just graduated from a wonderful university, so the world is your oyster!
@IdiomsLand #animal_Idioms
📚Watching like a hawk
✍🏾Meaning: Watching something very, very, closely
Children often hear this idiom from a parent or other caregiver, “I’m watching you like a hawk.”
It’s often used to make sure that someone or something doesn’t misbehave or make a mistake.
Example: The boss watches us like a hawk.
@IdiomsLand #animal_Idioms
✍🏾Meaning: Watching something very, very, closely
Children often hear this idiom from a parent or other caregiver, “I’m watching you like a hawk.”
It’s often used to make sure that someone or something doesn’t misbehave or make a mistake.
Example: The boss watches us like a hawk.
@IdiomsLand #animal_Idioms
📚Mad as a hornet (USA)
✍🏾Meaning: Very angry, or furious
A hornet is a type of wasp. When it gets angry, it can do a lot of damage, cause pain and generally be dangerous. If someone is saying that they’re as mad as a hornet, then they’re warning you to look out. While the term “mad as a hornet” is popular in the United States, other English-speaking countries and cultures often say something similar.
In the Southern region of the United States where farming was (and in some places still is) a major industry, people used to say the idiom “mad as a wet hen,” describing the anger a hen would have if you stole her eggs.
Example: Mom was as mad as a hornet when we broke the mirror.
@IdiomsLand #animal_Idioms
✍🏾Meaning: Very angry, or furious
A hornet is a type of wasp. When it gets angry, it can do a lot of damage, cause pain and generally be dangerous. If someone is saying that they’re as mad as a hornet, then they’re warning you to look out. While the term “mad as a hornet” is popular in the United States, other English-speaking countries and cultures often say something similar.
In the Southern region of the United States where farming was (and in some places still is) a major industry, people used to say the idiom “mad as a wet hen,” describing the anger a hen would have if you stole her eggs.
Example: Mom was as mad as a hornet when we broke the mirror.
@IdiomsLand #animal_Idioms
📚Dog eat dog
✍🏾Meaning: Very competitive
When you use this idiom, you’re saying that the competition is so stiff (intense) that people will do anything to get ahead, even if it means hurting someone. “Dog eat dog” may be used to describe a situation, a school, a company or an industry.
The exact origin varies. It may have come from similar phrases used in English writings from a long time ago. For example, one similar phrase was used in a 16th century Latin proverb which says “dog does not eat dog.”
Example: It’s a dog eat dog world out there.
@IdiomsLand #animal_Idioms
✍🏾Meaning: Very competitive
When you use this idiom, you’re saying that the competition is so stiff (intense) that people will do anything to get ahead, even if it means hurting someone. “Dog eat dog” may be used to describe a situation, a school, a company or an industry.
The exact origin varies. It may have come from similar phrases used in English writings from a long time ago. For example, one similar phrase was used in a 16th century Latin proverb which says “dog does not eat dog.”
Example: It’s a dog eat dog world out there.
@IdiomsLand #animal_Idioms
📚Eagle eyes
✍🏾Meaning: Have excellent vision, or watching something very closely, not missing a detail
This animal idiom is similar to “watching like a hawk,” but when someone says “eagle eye,” they may not be referring to catching someone in the act of doing something wrong. If you have an eagle eye, it means that nothing gets past you because you are very focused on details.
Example: The teacher goes over the tests with an eagle eye.
@IdiomsLand #animal_Idioms
✍🏾Meaning: Have excellent vision, or watching something very closely, not missing a detail
This animal idiom is similar to “watching like a hawk,” but when someone says “eagle eye,” they may not be referring to catching someone in the act of doing something wrong. If you have an eagle eye, it means that nothing gets past you because you are very focused on details.
Example: The teacher goes over the tests with an eagle eye.
@IdiomsLand #animal_Idioms
📚I’ll be a monkey’s uncle
✍🏾Meaning: I’m very surprised
This idiom is used as a complete phrase. People often use this when something happens that they didn’t expect. It’s used in a lighthearted or comical way. Another idiom, “you could have knocked me over with a feather” has a similar meaning.
Example: Well, I’ll be a monkey’s uncle. I never thought I’d pass that test.
@IdiomsLand #animal_Idioms+
✍🏾Meaning: I’m very surprised
This idiom is used as a complete phrase. People often use this when something happens that they didn’t expect. It’s used in a lighthearted or comical way. Another idiom, “you could have knocked me over with a feather” has a similar meaning.
Example: Well, I’ll be a monkey’s uncle. I never thought I’d pass that test.
@IdiomsLand #animal_Idioms+
📚Let sleeping dogs lie
✍🏾Meaning: Leave it alone, leave something in peace
You’ll find that dogs show up in a lot of English idioms, as they’re very common to our culture. When someone tells you to “let sleeping dogs lie,” they’re telling you to let things be. Often, you’re in a situation that you can’t change, so you should just leave it alone and in peace, like a sleeping dog.
It’s also used to tell someone to stay out of a situation that’s none of their business.
Example: I’m not telling the boss about Mark’s problem, it’s best to let sleeping dogs lie.
@IdiomsLand #animal_Idioms
✍🏾Meaning: Leave it alone, leave something in peace
You’ll find that dogs show up in a lot of English idioms, as they’re very common to our culture. When someone tells you to “let sleeping dogs lie,” they’re telling you to let things be. Often, you’re in a situation that you can’t change, so you should just leave it alone and in peace, like a sleeping dog.
It’s also used to tell someone to stay out of a situation that’s none of their business.
Example: I’m not telling the boss about Mark’s problem, it’s best to let sleeping dogs lie.
@IdiomsLand #animal_Idioms
📚Pet peeve
✍🏾Meaning: Common annoyance, something that’s specifically annoying to you
It’s usually not a major problem, they just wish it wouldn’t happen. Often it refers to a common habit that people around them do.
Pet peeves vary from person to person. What bothers one may not bother another. That’s the meaning of “pet peeve,” it’s your personal annoyance.
Example: I hate when people don’t put things back where they belong, it’s a pet peeve of mine.
@IdiomsLand #animal_Idioms
✍🏾Meaning: Common annoyance, something that’s specifically annoying to you
It’s usually not a major problem, they just wish it wouldn’t happen. Often it refers to a common habit that people around them do.
Pet peeves vary from person to person. What bothers one may not bother another. That’s the meaning of “pet peeve,” it’s your personal annoyance.
Example: I hate when people don’t put things back where they belong, it’s a pet peeve of mine.
@IdiomsLand #animal_Idioms
📚Puppy love
✍🏾Meaning: Feelings of love or affection, usually innocent and temporary, occurring during childhood or adolescence.
Other English-speaking cultures may have their variations, such as “calf love.” They often compare the love of children to young animals.
Example: I had a crush on my next door neighbor, but that was just puppy love.
@idiomsland #animal_idioms
✍🏾Meaning: Feelings of love or affection, usually innocent and temporary, occurring during childhood or adolescence.
Other English-speaking cultures may have their variations, such as “calf love.” They often compare the love of children to young animals.
Example: I had a crush on my next door neighbor, but that was just puppy love.
@idiomsland #animal_idioms
📚Pick of the litter
✍🏾Meaning: The best choice, or your favorite option
If you have the “pick of the litter” then you have top choice, or you can get the best in the group. This phrase goes back to the early 1900s. When dogs or cats produce offspring, the puppies or kittens are called a “litter.” To give someone the pick of the litter, you’re offering the best puppy or kitten.
Variations of this phrase include “pick of the basket” and “pick of the market.”
Example: All the boys want to take her on a date, she can have the pick of the litter.
@IdiomsLand #animal_Idioms
✍🏾Meaning: The best choice, or your favorite option
If you have the “pick of the litter” then you have top choice, or you can get the best in the group. This phrase goes back to the early 1900s. When dogs or cats produce offspring, the puppies or kittens are called a “litter.” To give someone the pick of the litter, you’re offering the best puppy or kitten.
Variations of this phrase include “pick of the basket” and “pick of the market.”
Example: All the boys want to take her on a date, she can have the pick of the litter.
@IdiomsLand #animal_Idioms
📚Like shooting fish in a barrel
✍🏾Meaning: Very easy to catch or trick
It can also mean a very easy task. This idiom goes back to the early 1900s. Think of how easy it would be to shoot fish in a barrel. It’s a given.
Example: I’m an expert in auto repair, fixing this is like shooting fish in a barrel.
@idiomsland #animal_idioms
✍🏾Meaning: Very easy to catch or trick
It can also mean a very easy task. This idiom goes back to the early 1900s. Think of how easy it would be to shoot fish in a barrel. It’s a given.
Example: I’m an expert in auto repair, fixing this is like shooting fish in a barrel.
@idiomsland #animal_idioms
🦍800 pound gorilla
The 800-pound gorilla is the dominant force in an industry (the classic example is Microsoft in the computer industry.)
@IdiomsLand #animal_idioms
The 800-pound gorilla is the dominant force in an industry (the classic example is Microsoft in the computer industry.)
@IdiomsLand #animal_idioms
🐕A barking dog seldom bites
A person who readily threatens other people does not often take action.
@IdiomsLand #animal_idioms
A person who readily threatens other people does not often take action.
@IdiomsLand #animal_idioms
🐤A little bird told me
If someone doesn't want to say where they got some information from, they can say that a little bird told them.
@IdiomsLand #animal_idioms
If someone doesn't want to say where they got some information from, they can say that a little bird told them.
@IdiomsLand #animal_idioms
😬Albatross around your neck
An albatross around, or round, your neck is a problem resulting from something you did that stops you from being successful.
@IdiomsLand #animal_idioms
An albatross around, or round, your neck is a problem resulting from something you did that stops you from being successful.
@IdiomsLand #animal_idioms