15 Idioms on animals - Set 10

136. Flip someone the bird

• Meaning: To raise the middle finger in a rude or obscene gesture, often as an expression of anger or contempt.

• Sentence Usage 1: Frustrated by the driver's behavior, she couldn't resist flipping him the bird.

• Sentence Usage 2: "Flip someone the bird" is a colloquial way of describing a gesture of disrespect.

137. Flogging a dead horse

• Meaning: Wasting time and effort on a task that is unlikely to succeed or yield any results.

• Sentence Usage 1: Trying to repair that old computer is like flogging a dead horse; it's beyond saving.

• Sentence Usage 2: The expression "flogging a dead horse" suggests the futility of persisting in a hopeless endeavor.

138. Fly in the ointment

• Meaning: Something that spoils or ruins a positive situation; a minor flaw that detracts from overall enjoyment.

• Sentence Usage 1: The unexpected rain was the fly in the ointment during the outdoor event.

• Sentence Usage 2: "Fly in the ointment" is often used to describe an unforeseen complication in otherwise favorable circumstances.

139. Fly on the wall

• Meaning: An unobtrusive observer, someone who listens or watches without being noticed.

• Sentence Usage 1: I wish I could be a fly on the wall during their important business meeting.

• Sentence Usage 2: The phrase "fly on the wall" is often used figuratively to express a desire to witness events without active participation.

140. For donkey's years

• Meaning: For a very long time; an extended period, often without change.

• Sentence Usage 1: They have been neighbors for donkey's years and know each other well.

• Sentence Usage 2: "For donkey's years" is a colloquial expression indicating a duration that feels prolonged.

141. For the birds

• Meaning: Worthless, undesirable, or uninteresting.

• Sentence Usage 1: The movie was so boring; it was for the birds.

• Sentence Usage 2: The saying "for the birds" suggests that something is of little value or importance.

142. Frog strangler

• Meaning: A heavy or torrential rainstorm; a deluge that could "strangle" a frog.

• Sentence Usage 1: We had to cancel the outdoor event due to a sudden frog strangler.

• Sentence Usage 2: "Frog strangler" is a humorous term used to describe exceptionally heavy rainfall.

143. From the horse's mouth

• Meaning: Directly from the original or authoritative source; information obtained firsthand.

• Sentence Usage 1: I heard it from the horse's mouth that she's resigning from her position.

• Sentence Usage 2: The expression "from the horse's mouth" emphasizes the reliability of information when received directly from the source.

144. Full as a tick

• Meaning: Completely full or satiated, often used to describe a feeling of overindulgence.

• Sentence Usage 1: After the feast, I felt as full as a tick and couldn't eat another bite.

• Sentence Usage 2: "Full as a tick" conveys a sense of being overly satisfied or stuffed.

145. Get a sheepskin

• Meaning: To obtain a diploma or degree; to graduate from an educational institution.

• Sentence Usage 1: After years of hard work, she finally got a sheepskin from the university.

• Sentence Usage 2: "Get a sheepskin" is a colloquial way of expressing the achievement of completing a course of study.

146. Get the monkey off your back

• Meaning: To rid oneself of a burdensome or addictive problem; to break free from a troublesome situation.

• Sentence Usage 1: Overcoming addiction was challenging, but he finally managed to get the monkey off his back.

• Sentence Usage 2: "Get the monkey off your back" implies achieving liberation from a persistent issue or dependency.

147. Get your ducks in a row

• Meaning: To organize or arrange things systematically; to prepare or plan thoroughly.

• Sentence Usage 1: Before launching the project, it's essential to get your ducks in a row.

• Sentence Usage 2: The phrase "get your ducks in a row" emphasizes the importance of being well-prepared and organized.

148. Get your feathers in a bunch

• Meaning: To become agitated, upset, or flustered over a minor issue; to get unnecessarily worried.

• Sentence Usage 1: Don't get your feathers in a bunch; it's just a small setback.

• Sentence Usage 2: "Get your feathers in a bunch" is a lighthearted way of advising someone not to overreact to a situation.

149. Get your goat

• Meaning: To annoy, irritate, or upset someone; to provoke a negative reaction.

• Sentence Usage 1: His constant complaining really gets my goat.

• Sentence Usage 2: "Get your goat" suggests causing frustration or agitation in another person.

150. Give a dog a bad name

• Meaning: To unfairly associate someone with a negative reputation; to damage a person's character through false or malicious accusations.

• Sentence Usage 1: Don't give a dog a bad name just because of one mistake.

• Sentence Usage 2: "Give a dog a bad name" emphasizes the unfairness of tarnishing someone's reputation without proper evidence.