15 Idioms on animals - Set 23

331. Raining cats and dogs

• Meaning: Raining very heavily.

• Sentence Usage 1: We had to postpone the outdoor event because it was raining cats and dogs.

• Sentence Usage 2: I got completely soaked because I didn't bring an umbrella, and it started raining cats and dogs.

332. Rat race

• Meaning: A competitive and stressful struggle for success, often in the business world.

• Sentence Usage 1: Many people feel trapped in the rat race, constantly chasing promotions and financial success.

• Sentence Usage 2: Escaping the corporate rat race and pursuing a simpler life became her primary goal.

333. Red herring

• Meaning: Something intended to divert attention from the real issue or deceive.

• Sentence Usage 1: The argument about office supplies was a red herring to distract from the budget discrepancies.

• Sentence Usage 2: Be careful not to be misled by a red herring when analyzing complex situations.

334. Rode hard and put away wet

• Meaning: Worn out or exhausted, often due to overuse or mistreatment.

• Sentence Usage 1: After a week of intense physical training, I felt rode hard and put away wet.

• Sentence Usage 2: The old car looked like it had been rode hard and put away wet; it needed significant repairs.

335. Root hog or die poor

• Meaning: Work hard and fend for yourself, or face the consequences of poverty.

• Sentence Usage 1: In the early days of the settlement, the motto was "root hog or die poor" as everyone had to contribute to survival.

• Sentence Usage 2: His grandfather believed in the principle of root hog or die poor and instilled a strong work ethic in the family.

336. Sacred cow

• Meaning: Something that is considered immune from questioning or criticism.

• Sentence Usage 1: The budget for the arts program has become a sacred cow, and no one dares to suggest cuts.

• Sentence Usage 2: In many families, certain traditions become a sacred cow, and altering them is met with resistance.

337. Salty dog

• Meaning: An experienced sailor or someone who is tough and weathered.

• Sentence Usage 1: After years at sea, Captain Roberts was a salty dog with countless maritime stories.

• Sentence Usage 2: The old fisherman, with his weathered face and rugged appearance, looked like a salty dog.

338. Scarce as hen's teeth

• Meaning: Extremely rare or difficult to find.

• Sentence Usage 1: Reliable employees with those skills are as scarce as hen's teeth in this industry.

• Sentence Usage 2: Finding parking in the city center can be as scarce as hen's teeth, especially during rush hours.

339. See which way the cat jumps

• Meaning: Wait to see how a situation develops before making a decision or taking action.

• Sentence Usage 1: I'll see which way the cat jumps before committing to any long-term plans.

• Sentence Usage 2: Instead of reacting immediately, it's wise to see which way the cat jumps in this rapidly changing market.

340. Sell someone a pup

• Meaning: To deceive or trick someone, especially by selling something that is not as advertised.

• Sentence Usage 1: I can't believe he sold me a broken phone; he really sold me a pup.

• Sentence Usage 2: Be cautious when buying items online; some sellers may try to sell you a pup.

341. Separate the sheep from the goats

• Meaning: To distinguish between the good and the bad or the valuable and the worthless.

• Sentence Usage 1: The challenging project helped separate the sheep from the goats among the team members.

• Sentence Usage 2: The competitive exams are designed to separate the sheep from the goats and identify the top candidates.

342. Shaggy dog story

• Meaning: A long, elaborate, and often pointless or anticlimactic story or joke.

• Sentence Usage 1: He started telling a shaggy dog story that seemed to have no end and no real punchline.

• Sentence Usage 2: The speaker's shaggy dog story bored the audience, and they lost interest before the conclusion.

343. Shanks's pony

• Meaning: One's own legs, especially used when walking.

• Sentence Usage 1: With no transportation available, we had to rely on Shanks's pony to get us to the destination.

• Sentence Usage 2: The parking lot was full, so I had to resort to Shanks's pony and walk to the office.

344. Sharks are circling

• Meaning: People or competitors are actively seeking an opportunity or advantage, often at someone else's expense.

• Sentence Usage 1: With the company facing financial difficulties, it's clear that the sharks are circling.

• Sentence Usage 2: The news of the celebrity's scandal had the media sharks circling for exclusive stories.

345. Shooting fish in a barrel

• Meaning: Refers to something very easy to accomplish, often because the task is simple or the targets are vulnerable.

• Sentence Usage 1: Solving that math problem was like shooting fish in a barrel for the experienced student.

• Sentence Usage 2: With all the information available, exposing the truth was like shooting fish in a barrel for the investigative journalist.