Living English Every Day – November 2015

Interesting Expressions about Cats

151102  Have a cat nap.
Explanation: To have a short sleep during the day
151103  There is no need to be a cat on a hot tin roof.
Explanation: To be nervous and unable to keep still
151104  This guy is a fat cat.
Explanation: Someone who is rich and powerful
151105  It’s only a cockroach. Don’t be such a scaredy-cat.
Explanation: Someone who is frightened for no reason
151106  Mary is very confident in herself and thinks that she is the cat’s whiskers.
Explanation: When someone thinks they are better than everyone else

 

Interesting Expressions about Cats      

151109    You are so quiet today. Has the cat got your tongue?
Explanation: To describe a person who hasn’t said anything
151110    She let the cat out of the bag and told us the secret.
Explanation: To reveal a secret
151111    I guess you passed the exam. You look like the cat that got the cream.
Explanation: To look very pleased and a bit complacent
151112  If Tom sits near to Charlie, it is like putting a cat among the pigeons.
Explanation: To cause trouble
151113  The house is so small that there is not enough room to swing a cat.
Explanation: To describe a place that is very small

 

Interesting Expressions about Dogs      

151116   Mary won’t help you. You have barked up the wrong tree.
Explanation: To make a wrong choice or ask a wrong person
151117    I am not scared of her because his bark is worse than his bite.
Explanation: To describe someone who makes threats but never carries them out
151118  Peter has won the game and he was like a dog with two tails.
Explanation: To be very happy
151119  Finishing the marathon, I am dog-tired.
Explanation: To be extremely tired
151120    John is very angry now. Let sleeping dogs lie.
Explanation: Do not create problems. Leave things alone

 

Interesting Expressions about Horses      

151123  I don’t know that he is such a brilliant pianist. He’s really a dark horse.
Explanation: To describe a person who keeps his interests or secrets and has a surprising ability in skill
151124  I am hungry and I could eat a horse.
Explanation: To be very hungry
151125  Stop horsing around here. I need a quiet place to study.
Explanation: To behave in a silly and noisy way
151126  Boil the water, then put the noodles in. Don’t put the cart before the horse.
Explanation: To get things confused
151127  She has got married. I heard it straight from the horse’s mouth.
Explanation: To hear something interesting from someone really involved
151130  This fat boy eats like a horse.
Explanation: To eat a lot