Animal Idioms

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dog in the manger

Meaning: A selfish person who will not use something but will not let others use it either.

Example: Mark never reads the old books in his office, yet he refuses to lend them to anyone—a real dog in the manger. Read more ➺


dog eat dog

Meaning: a very competitive world

Example: The only rule of the marketplace was dog-eat-dog. Read more ➺


in a clover

Meaning: prosperous, living well.

Example: The teacher told us to work hard in our education to be in a clover in the future. Read more ➺


cock and bull story

Meaning: complicated, ridiculous, or unbelievable story

Example: She started to tell some cock and bull story to the police officers about how she found a huge bag containing 5 pounds of gold. Read more ➺


put the cart before the horse

Meaning: to do things in the wrong order or sequence

Example: Aren't you putting the cart before the horse in decorating your new office? You haven't even been awarded the job yet. Read more ➺


take the bull by the horns

Meaning: decisively deal with a difficult or dangerous situation

Example: Jone decided to take the bull by the horns and organise things for himself. Read more ➺


bull in a china shop

Meaning: extremely awkward, clumsy person

Example: The president has been attacking foreign ministers and even the people in his own party like a bull in a china shop. This has not only led to a lot of criticism but people have started alienating from him. Read more ➺


black sheep

Meaning: a disgrace

Example: I have always been the black sheep of my family. Everyone else has responsible jobs while I have chosen to be an artist. Read more ➺


raining cats and dogs

Meaning: too much heavy rain

Example: It's raining cats and dogs I am worried about how my kids will reach home. Read more ➺


at bay

Meaning: Kept under control or prevented from causing harm.

Example: Regular exercise keeps stress at bay during busy weeks. Read more ➺


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