Idioms are like puzzles in language, weaving hidden meanings into everyday expressions. In the world of idioms, animals play a significant role, often serving as metaphors for human behavior.
These quirky phrases add flavor to our conversations and can be as confusing as a bull in a china shop if you don’t understand them.

What is an idiom for animals?
An idiom for animals is a phrase that uses animals to convey a figurative meaning.
These expressions aren’t meant to be taken literally but are instead a way to communicate ideas in a colorful and imaginative manner.
Idiom | Meaning | In a Sentence |
---|---|---|
A bull in a china shop | Acting without caution, causing damage. | John was like a bull in a china shop when he rearranged the furniture. |
A bird in the hand… | Better to have a certain advantage. | Sally decided to keep her old car; a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. |
A leopard can’t change its spots | People can’t change their fundamental nature. | Even after anger management classes, his friends believed that a leopard can’t change its spots. |
As busy as a bee | Very busy and industrious. | The students were as busy as bees preparing for their final exams. |
Cat’s out of the bag | The secret is revealed. | When Sarah accidentally blurted out the surprise party plans, the cat was out of the bag. |
Cry over spilled milk | Don’t waste time worrying about past events. | Instead of crying over spilled milk, Jake quickly cleaned up the mess and moved on. |
Don’t count your chickens… | Don’t make plans based on uncertain events. | Mark was excited about the promotion, but his wise friend warned him not to count his chickens before they hatch. |
Elephant in the room | Obvious problem that everyone ignores. | The financial crisis was the elephant in the room during the family meeting. |
Fish out of water | Feeling uncomfortable in a new situation. | Jane was like a fish out of water at the science fiction convention, not knowing anyone. |
Let the cat out of the bag | To reveal a secret. | Tim accidentally let the cat out of the bag about the surprise birthday gift. |
Like a fish out of water | Uncomfortable or out of place. | At the formal event, Tom, in his casual attire, felt like a fish out of water. |
Monkey see, monkey do | Imitating others without thinking. | The children were copying the teacher’s movements, a classic case of monkey see, monkey do. |
Pig out | To eat a lot, usually indulging. | After the diet, Jane decided to pig out on her favorite chocolate cake. |
Raining cats and dogs | Heavy rain. | We had to cancel our picnic plans because it was raining cats and dogs. |
Shark in the water | Dangerous or threatening situation. | The team realized they had a shark in the water when facing a formidable opponent. |
The early bird catches the worm | Success comes to those who act quickly. | Sally always wakes up early, believing that the early bird catches the worm. |
The lion’s share | The largest portion. | Even though they were a team, Tim always took the lion’s share of the credit for their success. |
The straw that broke… | Seemingly minor event causing catastrophe. | The argument over the remote control was the straw that broke the camel’s back, leading to a family feud. |
The world is your oyster | Many opportunities ahead. | As a recent graduate, Sarah believed the world was her oyster. |
When pigs fly | Something that will never happen. | Sarah said she would start exercising every day when pigs fly. |
Wolf in sheep’s clothing | Pretending to be harmless but dangerous. | The charming stranger turned out to be a wolf in sheep’s clothing, scamming unsuspecting victims. |
You can’t teach… | Difficult to change someone’s habits. | Grandpa insisted he would never use a smartphone, claiming you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. |
You’re a snake in the grass | Someone who deceives or betrays trust. | Discovering his friend had spread false rumors about him, Tom felt betrayed, realizing he was a snake in the grass. |
Kill two birds with one stone | Accomplishing two things with one action. | Sarah decided to combine grocery shopping with her morning walk, killing two birds with one stone. |
Horse of a different color | Something completely different. | Switching from studying science to pursuing art was a horse of a different color for Jake. |
Hold your horses | Be patient. | When the children eagerly asked about the surprise, their mother told them to hold their horses; it would be revealed soon. |
Crocodile tears | Fake or insincere tears. | Suspecting his friend was only shedding crocodile tears, Tim questioned the authenticity of his apology. |
To explore more metaphors for animals, you can visit this link: Metaphors for Animals. Similarly, similes make it easier to understand animals by likening them to something familiar, such as saying a lion is as fierce as a roaring thunderstorm. Discover additional similes for animals here: Similes for Animals.
Idioms for Animals
1. A bull in a china shop
Meaning: Acting without caution, often causing damage.
In a Sentence: John was like a bull in a china shop when he rearranged the living room furniture.
2. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
Meaning: It’s better to have a small, certain advantage than a larger, uncertain one.
In a Sentence: Sally decided to keep her old car because, after all, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
3. A leopard can’t change its spots
Meaning: People can’t change their fundamental nature.
In a Sentence: Even after attending anger management classes, his friends believed that a leopard can’t change its spots.
4. As busy as a bee
Meaning: Very busy and industrious.
In a Sentence: The students were as busy as bees preparing for their final exams.
5. Cat’s out of the bag
Meaning: The secret is revealed.
In a Sentence: When Sarah accidentally blurted out the surprise party plans, the cat was out of the bag.
6. Cry over spilled milk
Meaning: Don’t waste time worrying about things that have already happened.
In a Sentence: Instead of crying over spilled milk, Jake quickly cleaned up the mess and moved on.
7. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch
Meaning: Don’t make plans based on something that hasn’t happened yet.
In a Sentence: Mark was excited about the promotion, but his wise friend warned him not to count his chickens before they hatch.
8. Elephant in the room
Meaning: An obvious problem that everyone ignores.
In a Sentence: The financial crisis was the elephant in the room during the family meeting.
9. Fish out of water
Meaning: Feeling uncomfortable in a new or unfamiliar situation.
In a Sentence: Jane was like a fish out of water at the science fiction convention, not knowing anyone.
10. Let the cat out of the bag
Meaning: To reveal a secret.
In a Sentence: Tim accidentally let the cat out of the bag about the surprise birthday gift.
11. Like a fish out of water
Meaning: Uncomfortable or out of place.
In a Sentence: At the formal event, Tom, in his casual attire, felt like a fish out of water.
12. Monkey see, monkey do
Meaning: Imitating others without thinking.
In a Sentence: The children were copying the teacher’s movements, a classic case of monkey see, monkey do.
13. Pig out
Meaning: To eat a lot, usually indulging in unhealthy food.
In a Sentence: After the diet, Jane decided to pig out on her favorite chocolate cake.
14. Raining cats and dogs
Meaning: Heavy rain.
In a Sentence: We had to cancel our picnic plans because it was raining cats and dogs.
15. Shark in the water
Meaning: A dangerous or threatening situation.
In a Sentence: The team realized they had a shark in the water when they faced a formidable opponent.
16. The early bird catches the worm
Meaning: Success comes to those who act quickly.
In a Sentence: Sally always wakes up early, believing that the early bird catches the worm.
17. The lion’s share
Meaning: The largest portion.
In a Sentence: Even though they were a team, Tim always took the lion’s share of the credit for their success.
18. The straw that broke the camel’s back
Meaning: The final, seemingly minor event that causes a catastrophe.
In a Sentence: The argument over the remote control was the straw that broke the camel’s back, leading to a family feud.
19. The world is your oyster
Meaning: You have many opportunities ahead of you.
In a Sentence: As a recent graduate, Sarah believed the world was her oyster.
20. When pigs fly
Meaning: Something that will never happen.
In a Sentence: Sarah said she would start exercising every day when pigs fly.
21. Wolf in sheep’s clothing
Meaning: Someone pretending to be harmless but is actually dangerous.
In a Sentence: The charming stranger turned out to be a wolf in sheep’s clothing, scamming unsuspecting victims.
22. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks
Meaning: It’s difficult to change someone’s habits or beliefs.
In a Sentence: Grandpa insisted he would never use a smartphone, claiming you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
23. You’re a snake in the grass
Meaning: Someone who deceives or betrays trust.
In a Sentence: Discovering his friend had spread false rumors about him, Tom felt betrayed, realizing he was a snake in the grass.
24. Kill two birds with one stone
Meaning: Accomplishing two things with a single action.
In a Sentence: Sarah decided to combine grocery shopping with her morning walk, killing two birds with one stone.
25. Horse of a different color
Meaning: Something completely different.
In a Sentence: Switching from studying science to pursuing art was a horse of a different color for Jake.
26. Hold your horses
Meaning: Be patient.
In a Sentence: When the children eagerly asked about the surprise, their mother told them to hold their horses; it would be revealed soon.
27. Crocodile tears
Meaning: Fake or insincere tears.
In a Sentence: Suspecting his friend was only shedding crocodile tears, Tim questioned the authenticity of his apology.
10 Quizzes About The Idiom in The Article
Quiz 1:
Question: What does the idiom “A bull in a china shop” mean?
- A graceful dancer
- Acting without caution, causing damage
- Someone skilled at pottery
- A peaceful protest
Correct Answer: 2. Acting without caution, causing damage
Quiz 2:
Question: When would you use the expression “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush”?
- To talk about a favorite pet
- To emphasize the importance of having a certain advantage
- When discussing bird watching
- Describing a flying bird’s behavior
Correct Answer: 2. To emphasize the importance of having a certain advantage
Quiz 3:
Question: What does the phrase “Monkey see, monkey do” suggest?
- Monkeys are very intelligent
- Imitating others without thinking
- Monkeys are bad pets
- Monkeys are unpredictable
Correct Answer: 2. Imitating others without thinking
Quiz 4:
Question: If someone says “The world is your oyster,” what are they implying?
- You should avoid the world
- You have many opportunities ahead of you
- The world is a dangerous place
- Oysters are delicious
Correct Answer: 2. You have many opportunities ahead of you
Quiz 5:
Question: What is the meaning of “Crocodile tears”?
- Genuine tears
- Fake or insincere tears
- Tears shed for a crocodile
- Tears of happiness
Correct Answer: 2. Fake or insincere tears
Quiz 6:
Question: When would you use the expression “Hold your horses”?
- To compliment someone’s riding skills
- To encourage patience
- When talking about wild horses
- Describing a rodeo event
Correct Answer: 2. To encourage patience
Quiz 7:
Question: What does the idiom “Fish out of water” mean?
- Someone who loves fishing
- Feeling uncomfortable in a new or unfamiliar situation
- A compliment for a good swimmer
- Describing a fish market
Correct Answer: 2. Feeling uncomfortable in a new or unfamiliar situation
Quiz 8:
Question: If someone is described as a “Wolf in sheep’s clothing,” what are they like?
- Friendly and approachable
- Dangerous or threatening
- Skilled in animal husbandry
- Wearing fashionable clothing
Correct Answer: 2. Dangerous or threatening
Quiz 9:
Question: What does the phrase “The early bird catches the worm” suggest?
- Birds should sleep in
- Success comes to those who act quickly
- Early birds are more intelligent
- Worms are a valuable resource
Correct Answer: 2. Success comes to those who act quickly
Quiz 10:
Question: When would you use the expression “Pig out”?
- Discussing farm life
- To encourage a healthy diet
- To eat a lot, usually indulging in unhealthy food
- Complimenting someone’s cooking skills
Correct Answer: 3. To eat a lot, usually indulging in unhealthy food
Conclusion
Animals have slipped into our language, bringing vivid expressions to our everyday conversations. Understanding these idioms for animals adds a layer of fun and insight to our communication, making our language as diverse as a zoo.