Animals English idioms

Chasing something that’s very difficult (or impossible) to catch

You have many good opportunities in front of you

Have excellent vision, or watching something very closely, not missing a detail

Common annoyance, something that’s specifically annoying to you

Feelings of love or affection, usually innocent and temporary, occurring during childhood or adolescence.

When you say that you have butterflies in your stomach, you’re saying that you’re very nervous. Sometimes when you get nervous, you get a fluttery feeling in your stomach, similar to the way butterflies flutter around.

If you’re saying that someone is all bark and no bite, you’re saying that they give threats but won’t act on them. They may seem scary or intimidating, but they’re totally harmless.

All bark and no bite
Dogs of all breeds will bark, but many are harmless.

This animal question shows up in philosophy discussions. If someone asks this, they want you to think about something more carefully. Philosophers came up with this example to ask where and when the universe began.

Which came first, the chicken or the egg?

Something or someone dangerous presenting as gentle, weak or innocent

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.

To give a false alarm or to call for help when you don't need it

Someone being in a situation that they are unfamiliar or uncomfortable with

A big issue or problem that everyone is aware of but no one wants to talk about

Information coming from the most reliable source

For a very long, indefinite amount of time

To achieve two goals with a single action or effort

Unable to sit still due to nervousness or excitement.

Someone who copies another person’s words, behavior or ideas.

A large number of people dropping out, becoming ill or dying in a short period of time.

said about someone who doesn't speak (usually due to shyness)

a person who is excited about doing certain work

get extremely upset (often over something minor)

silly/unintelligent people tend to copy each other's actions

fierce, competitive struggle for power, position etc

If you back the wrong horse, you support a competitor or action that is unsuccessful later.

If you are a big fish in a small pond, you are an important person only in a small area or organization.

If you are blind as a bat, you can't see well.

If you cry crocodile tears, you pretend to be sad and affected by something.

If you are a dark horse, you are a bit of a mystery and you like to keep your interests and ideas secret

If you drink like a fish, you drink too much alcohol.

You say 'the early bird catches the worm' to encourage someone to start their day early because there is a better chance of success.

A fat cat is someone who is in charge of a large company, earns a lot of money and has the power to increase his/her own pay.

If flog a dead horse, you waste your efforts trying to convince someone to do or feel something without any chance of succeeding.

If you tell someone to get off their high horse, you tell them to stop being so arrogant.

If you feel like a fish out of water, you are very uncomfortable in the situation you are in.

If you are a night owl, you go to sleep very late.

If you are no spring chicken anymore, you are no longer young.

If you are a one-trick pony, you are good at only one thing.

If it is raining cats and dogs, it is raining very heavily.

If you sing like a canary, you tell the police everything you know about a crime, especially when you are under pressure from the police.

If you are a sitting duck, you a very easy target to shoot, attack or to criticise.

If you are as sly as a fox, you are smart and clever and you can usually get what you want in a cunning way.

If you are stubborn as a mule, you don't listen to other people's advice and you don't want to change your mind.

If you are having a whale of a time, you are really enjoying yourself.