English tip:
I received a few private messages asking for explanations to the "animal idioms" we shared on Friday.
In today’s note, I explained the idioms and provided examples on how to use them. Hope this is useful!
Frog in my throat- unable to speak clearly until you give a cough
Example: I get a frog in my throat whenever I have to speak in public.
Eats like a horse- to eat a lot of food
Example: She eats like a horse, so it’s no wonder she’s overweight.
Cry wolf- to raise a false alarm
Example: If you keep crying wolf just to get attention, people won’t help you when you are really in trouble.
Raining cats and dogs- raining heavily
Example: It’s raining cats and dogs, so remember to bring an umbrella.
To get your goat- to annoy someone
Example: It really gets my goat when someone cuts a queue.
To live high on the hog- to be very rich and live in comfort
Example: He was a billionaire who lives high on the hog at all times.
Make a mountain out of a molehill- make a big issue out of a small one
Example: He forgot to pay the phone bills, it’s not the end of the world. Stop panicking and making a mountain out of a molehill.
Monkey business- mischievous behaviour
Example: He should stop the monkey business and do the job correctly.
Take a cat nap- take a short nap
Example: I took a cat nap during my lunch break so I feel quite energised now.
Eat like a bird- eat a small amount of food
Example: John is trying to lose weight by eating like a bird.
Smell a rat- suspect something is wrong
Example: He smelled a rat when his son didn’t answer his calls for two days.
Does the cat have your tongue- at loss for words
Example: Does the cat have your tongue? Why are you stammering so nervously when I asked you for the proposal?
A road hog- a selfish or aggressive driver
Example: Do you know you are a road hog by driving so recklessly?
Bull-headed- someone who is foolishly or irrationally stubborn
Example: Stop being so bull-headed and listen to advice from your seniors. They had done the project before and know what to expect.
Snake in the grass- a sneaky and despised person
Example: How can I ever have trusted that snake in the grass? He has betrayed his friends so many times.
Hold your horses- hold on
Example: Guys, hold your horses. Let’s wait for further instructions before deciding what to do next.
Barking up the wrong tree- make the wrong choice, ask the wrong person, follow the wrong course
Example: If you are trying to solve the mystery, you are barking up the wrong tree. I have no clue at all.
Eager beaver- one that is excessively zealous
Example: He is such an eager beaver, volunteering to be in charge of every project.
Until the cows come home- for a long time
Example: We can talk until the cows come home and still not solve the problem.
Let the cat out of the bag- to reveal a secret by accident
Example: He let the cat out of the bag when he told Mary we are having a surprise party for her.