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- SAY IT DIFFERENTDiscover the meaning behind English idioms EXPLORE LEARN ⚫ SPEAK
- CONTENTSSAY IT DIFFERENT Welcome to the World of Idioms
- WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF IDIOMSWhat is an idiom? An idiom is an informal expression whose meaning is different from the literal meaning of the words that make it up. In other words, you cannot always understand an idiom: BYAL translating each word separately. The expression has a special meaning as a whole.
- WILD EXPRESSIONSAnimal idioms & the meanings behind them Animal idioms are English expressions that use animals to describe people, actions or situations. Their meanings are not always literal. From "a fish story" to "an eager beaver," these expressions make English more creative, expressive and interesting.
- SAY IT DIFFRENTPIECE OF CAKE MEANING
- Page 6say it different. A bundle of nerves
- FEELINGS & EMOTIONSFEELINGS & EMOTIONS
- words, big meaningsPEOPLE & PERSONALITY A bad egg
- Page 9STORIES BEHIND THE IDIOMS Some idioms have interesting origins or are connected to the literal image behind the expression. Zonk out
- Small words, big meaningsLEARN EXPLORE
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WILD EXPRESSIONS
Animal idioms & the meanings behind them
Animal idioms are English expressions that use animals to describe people, actions or situations. Their meanings are not always literal. From "a fish story" to "an eager beaver," these expressions make English more creative, expressive and interesting.
ANIMAL IDIOMS
A fish story
A story that is exaggerated or unlikely to be true. The expression comes from the idea of fishermen exaggerating the size of the fish they caught. It dates back to the early 19th century in the United States
Example
He told us a fish story about the huge fish he caught
Drink like a fish
To drink a lot of alcohol.
The expression was recorded in the mid-17th century. It compares a person who drinks a lot with a fish that appears to constantly drink
Example:
Our grandfather used to drink like a fish.
- Different animals, same meaning.
- Animals say more than you think...
- A big fish!
A person who is powerful, successful, influential or important, similar to a VIP
Example
Her uncle is a big fish in the golf world
An eager beaver
A person who is enthusiastic, hardworking and eager to volunteer for more tasks The expression refers to the beaver's reputation for being hardworking
Example:
Kate is such an eager beaver, she is always the first to finish her work