How can I learn idioms: animals in English?

The most effective way is spaced repetition: practice this deck of 31 flashcards using the Flashcards, Learn, Write, and Match modes. The system shows you each word right before you're about to forget it, so you retain it long-term instead of just memorizing it for a test.

How many words are in the idioms: animals deck?

This deck has 31 cards at level B2, each with pronunciation audio and an example sentence.

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Idioms: animals

Learn English idioms that use animals as a metaphor, from "hold your horses" to "a fish out of water".

B231 cards

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Flashcards

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Learn

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Write

Listen to the word and type it. Great for practicing spelling and pronunciation.

Match

Match the words against the clock. A fun, low-pressure way to review.

Terms in this deck

hold your horses
wait, don't be so hasty
a wolf in sheep's clothing
someone who seems harmless but is actually dangerous
the early bird catches the worm
people who act early have an advantage over others
curiosity killed the cat
being too curious can get you into trouble
a fish out of water
feeling awkward or out of place in a situation
smell a rat
to suspect that something is wrong
have a cow
to become extremely upset or angry
chicken out
to decide not to do something out of fear
cry wolf
to repeatedly ask for help when it's not needed, so no one believes you when it's real
monkey business
silly or dishonest behavior
beat a dead horse
to keep talking about something that's already been settled
a leopard can't change its spots
people's basic character doesn't really change
get your ducks in a row
to get everything organized before starting something
a snake in the grass
a deceptive, untrustworthy person
play cat and mouse
to chase or tease someone in a game-like way
horse around
to play in a rough, silly way
take the bull by the horns
to deal with a difficult situation directly and confidently
dog tired
extremely tired
black sheep
a family member who is different from the rest, often embarrassingly
as the crow flies
in a straight line, measuring direct distance
rat race
a stressful, competitive way of life, especially at work
crocodile tears
fake sadness or sympathy
kill the goose that lays the golden eggs
to destroy something valuable through greed or carelessness
like a deer in headlights
frozen with fear or surprise, unable to react
a wild goose chase
a search or effort that is completely useless
put the cart before the horse
to do things in the wrong order
a lone wolf
a person who prefers to work or spend time alone
cat got your tongue?
said when someone is unusually quiet
top dog
the most important or powerful person in a group
busy as a bee
very busy and active
quiet as a mouse
making no noise at all

How to study this deck

Many idioms use animals to talk about people and situations: "a wolf in sheep's clothing", "chicken out", "the early bird catches the worm". Some match Spanish and others do not. Learn each with its equivalent and an example, and you will see they are easy to remember because of the image they evoke.

The trickiest words

chicken out: it means to lose your nerve at the last moment: "He chickened out and did not jump".
smell a rat: it means to suspect something is wrong or someone is being dishonest.
hold your horses: it means slow down or be patient. It is said when someone rushes.

Examples in context

Hold your horses, we're not ready yet.
Curiosity killed the cat, don't ask too many questions.
He chickened out of the bungee jump.
He's still lying to everyone, a leopard can't change its spots.
Stop horsing around!
It's 10 miles away as the crow flies.
She looked like a deer in headlights when asked the question.
What's wrong, cat got your tongue?

Mini dialogue

A: Let's jump right now!
B: Hold your horses. I need a minute.
A: Don't chicken out. The early bird catches the worm.
B: Fine. But I smell a rat: this is too easy.