Animal Idioms

Page 2 of 12

a fair crack of the whip

Meaning: An equal chance or opportunity to succeed or participate.

Example: Everyone on the team deserves a fair crack of the whip when applying for leadership roles. Read more ➺


go the whole hog

Meaning: To do something completely without holding back.

Example: She decided to go the whole hog and renovated the entire house instead of just the kitchen. Read more ➺


work like a dog

Meaning: To work extremely hard, often for long hours and without complaining.

Example: Mike had to work like a dog to finish the project before the deadline, staying late every night. Read more ➺


feathers fly

Meaning: A heated argument, quarrel, or conflict where emotions run high.

Example: The boardroom was tense, and feathers fly when the team debates budget cuts. Read more ➺


not my circus; not my monkeys

Meaning: Expressing that a situation; problem; or responsibility is not one's own to deal with.

Example: The neighbors are having a loud party; but I'm just going to stay inside. It's not my circus; not my monkeys. Read more ➺


beast of burden

Meaning: Refers to an animal used to carry loads or perform heavy labor, such as a donkey, mule, or ox.

Example: The donkey served as a beast of burden, hauling sacks of grain up the steep hill. Read more ➺


monkey on one’s back

Meaning: Describes an ongoing problem or burden that causes stress or worry.

Example: Debt had become a real monkey on his back, keeping him up at night. Read more ➺


scapegoat

Meaning: A person unfairly blamed for mistakes or problems caused by others.

Example: After the project failed, the manager made Tom the scapegoat to save his own reputation. Read more ➺


cry wolf

Meaning: to keep asking for help, even when you don't need it. When you really need help, no one believes you.

Example: The little boy had cried wolf so many times that when he was really sick no one believed him. Read more ➺


when pigs fly

Meaning: Impossible or highly unlikely to happen.

Example: She'll agree to go camping when pigs fly; she hates the outdoors. Read more ➺


Share
Share