Make your writing roar with these 10 animal idioms
Discover the meanings of common English phrases like ‘cat got your tongue’ and ‘elephant in the room’ to enhance your writing skills.
Why aren’t you saying anything? Cat got your tongue? Photo: ShutterstockAnimals, with their fun, weird and special characteristics, have always been a source of wonder. The English language has found equally fun, weird and special ways to describe them. Here are 10 animal idioms that will add a wild touch to your writing!
1. Cat got your tongue
Meaning: When someone is struggling to speak because of shock or surprise
Example: She said, “I ... uh ... I don’t know.” He responded, “Cat got your tongue?”
2. The lion’s share
Meaning: To have the greatest portion of something shared
Example: She had the lion’s share of work to do in our group project.
3. A little bird told me
Meaning: Revealing information without saying who you got it from
Example: A little bird told me that you like cake.
4. Dropping like flies
Meaning: When many people quit, get sick or die in a quick amount of time
Example: On the battlefield, soldiers were dropping like flies.
5. Elephant in the room
Meaning: When there is a problem so large that it is too big to ignore
Example: They had to address the elephant in the room at the conference – whether he had cheated or not.
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6. All bark no bite
Meaning: When someone acts tough and makes verbal challenges, but does not actually take action on anything
Example: Don’t worry about our teacher. He may act tough and scary but will never get you in trouble; he’s all bark no bite.
7. Black sheep
Meaning: Someone who doesn’t fit in with the rest of the group
Example: He’s the black sheep of the family because he didn’t want to work in the family business unlike the rest of his siblings and cousins.
8. Can of worms
Meaning: Something that creates many more problems
Example: The glitch on the website was a real can of worms.
9. Eagle eye
Meaning: Describing someone very observant
Example: Eagle-eyed viewers may have noticed the secret message written in the corner of the background.
10. Kill two birds with one stone
Meaning: To complete two tasks with one action
Example: If I buy the gift on the way back home from work, I can kill two birds with one stone.