Animal Idioms
Idioms that use dogs, cats, birds, horses, fish, wolves, frogs, and other animal images.
Browse animal idioms
Barking up the wrong tree
Accusing or pursuing the wrong person/idea; making a false assumption.
Spill the beans
Reveal a secret or disclose information prematurely.
Go the extra mile
Put in more effort than is required.
Burn the midnight oil
Work late into the night.
Once in a blue moon
Very rarely.
Green thumb
A talent for gardening or making plants thrive.
Hit the books
Start studying with focus and dedication.
Bite the bullet
Accept an unpleasant task or situation that cannot be avoided.
Let sleeping dogs lie
Do not disturb a situation that is currently calm, even if there is a conflict beneath the surface.
All bark and no bite
Someone who talks tough but is harmless or unlikely to act.
All in a day’s work
Refers to something ordinary, even if demanding.
At the drop of a hat
Immediately, without hesitation.
Bite the hand that feeds you
Harm or disrespect someone who supports you.
Dark horse
An unexpected contender or talent.
Down to the wire
Until the very last moment.
Duck and cover
React quickly to avoid danger.
Feather in your cap
An achievement to be proud of.
Fish out of water
Feel uncomfortable in an unfamiliar situation.
Get two birds with one stone
Achieve two things with one effort.
Let the cat out of the bag
To reveal a secret, usually by accident or earlier than intended.
A shot in the dark
A guess based on little information.
Apples and oranges
Two things that are fundamentally different and not directly comparable.
Beat a dead horse
Waste effort on something already decided.
Bite off more than you can chew
Take on more responsibilities than you can handle.
Dog eat dog
Intensely competitive and ruthless.
Feather your nest
Enrich oneself, often at others' expense.
Hold your horses
Wait or slow down.
Let someone off the hook
Release someone from responsibility.
Out of the loop
Not informed of recent updates.
Set the world on fire
Do something remarkable or highly successful.
The early bird catches the worm
Those who act promptly gain advantage.
Have the last laugh
Be vindicated after others have doubted you.
Long in the tooth
Getting old.
Play devil's advocate
Argue an opposing view for debate purposes.
Sticks and stones
Words cannot cause real harm.
Touch base
Briefly check in or reconnect.
Birds of a feather
People with similar interests tend to gather.
Dead heat
An exact tie in a contest.
Fish or cut bait
Act decisively or step aside.
Fly-by-night
Unreliable, operating only briefly and often dishonestly.
Follow your nose
Trust your instincts.
Hang on every word
Listen attentively.
Keep the wolf at bay
Prevent trouble from approaching.
Pass the buck
Shift responsibility to someone else.
Pay the piper
Face the consequences.
Take the bull by the horns
Confront a problem directly.
Catch someone off guard
Surprise someone when they are unprepared.
Dog days of summer
The hottest, most lethargic stretch of summer.
Don't count your chickens
Don't assume success until it actually happens.
For the birds
Not worthy of serious consideration.
Get back in the saddle
Return to an activity after a setback.
Jump through hoops
Do complicated or unnecessary tasks to achieve something.
Kill two birds with one stone
Accomplish two objectives with a single action.
Long shot
An attempt that has a small chance of success.
Neck and neck
Two competitors are very close in performance.
On the up and up
Honest or improving.
Read the handwriting on the wall
See the signs that something is going to happen.
Shoot the messenger
Blame the bearer of bad news.
Bring down the house
Earn overwhelming applause or enthusiasm.
Cast a wide net
Explore many options to increase chances of success.
Catch-22
A paradoxical situation where escape depends on the condition you cannot meet.
Clean break
Cut ties quickly and decisively.
Dig in your heels
Refuse to change your position.
Dog and pony show
A showy presentation designed to impress.
Eat crow
Admit you were wrong.
Forgive and forget
Let go of resentment entirely.
Light at the end of the tunnel
Sign of hope after a long difficulty.
Out of left field
Unexpected or surprising.
Bark up the wrong tree
Make a wrong assumption or pursue a mistaken course.
Bite your tongue
AVoid saying something unwise or hurtful.
Climb the ladder
Advance in a career or social standing.
Penny for your thoughts
A lighthearted invitation to share what someone is thinking.