Test Your Vocabulary: Do You Know the Meanings of These Famous Animal Idioms?

Animals have been a source of inspiration for many idioms and expressions in the English language. These sayings are not only fun but also add color to our everyday conversations. Do you think you know what these famous animal idioms mean? Let’s put your vocabulary to the test!

“A Fish Out of Water” 

Imagine a fish trying to live on land—it would be completely out of place, right? That’s exactly what this idiom means. When someone is a “fish out of water,” they feel uncomfortable or out of their element in a particular situation.

“The Elephant in the Room” 

Picture an enormous elephant standing in the middle of a room, and everyone is pretending it’s not there. This idiom refers to a big, obvious problem or issue that people are avoiding discussing.

“Hold Your Horses” 

This idiom comes from a time when people rode horses and needed to keep them calm. “Hold your horses” means to slow down or wait before doing something.

“Let the Cat Out of the Bag” 

This saying goes back to a time when farmers might cheat customers by putting a cat in a sack instead of a piglet. To “let the cat out of the bag” means to accidentally reveal a secret.

“Raining Cats and Dogs” 

This idiom describes a very heavy rainstorm. The origin of the phrase is unclear, but it vividly paints the picture of rain pouring down as if cats and dogs were falling from the sky.

“The Lion’s Share” 

This idiom originates from one of Aesop’s fables, where the lion takes the largest portion of the catch. It means the biggest or best part of something.