Animals
Hold your horses
Used to tell someone to slow down or wait before doing something impulsive or impatient.
Example: Hold your horses! We haven’t even packed yet.
To have a big mouth
To be unable to keep secrets; talk too much.
Example: “Don’t tell her — she’s got a big mouth!”
It’s raining cats and dogs
It’s raining very heavily.
Example: “We wanted to go to the park, but it’s raining cats and dogs.”
Bookworm
Someone who loves reading and reads a lot.
Example: “She’s a real bookworm — always has a novel in her hand.”
The early bird catches the worm
The person who takes action early gets an advantage.
Example: “She woke up at 5 am to get the best spot at the sale — the early bird catches the worm.”
Ants in your pants
Used to describe someone who can't sit still, usually due to excitement or nervous energy.
Example: The kids had ants in their pants before the school trip.
Break a leg
Used to wish someone good luck, especially before a performance.
Example: “You’ll do great in your audition — break a leg!”
To be in the eye of the storm
To be in the center of a difficult or chaotic situation.
Example: “She’s in the eye of the storm with all the problems at work.”
Teach an old dog new tricks
It’s difficult to teach someone new things, especially if they’ve been doing it one way for a long time.
Example: “My grandpa won’t use a smartphone — you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”
You can’t have your cake and eat it too
You can’t have everything; sometimes you have to make a choice.
Example: “You can’t have your cake and eat it too — you have to choose between the two jobs.”
Pig out
To eat a lot of food, especially junk food, in a greedy or excessive way.
Example: We pigged out on pizza and ice cream during the movie night
Cost an arm and a leg
Very expensive.
Example: “That designer bag cost an arm and a leg.”
Chase rainbows
To pursue unrealistic or unattainable goals.
Example: “Stop chasing rainbows and focus on something achievable.”
Pass with flying colors
To pass something (usually an exam) with a very high score or great success.
Example: “She passed her driving test with flying colors.”
Don’t count your chickens before they hatch
Don’t assume something will happen until it actually does.
Example: “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch — you haven’t even been hired yet.”
Chicken out
To decide not to do something because you're scared or nervous.
Example: He wanted to try skydiving but chickened out at the last minute.
Face the music
To accept the consequences of one’s actions.
Example: “He cheated on the test and now has to face the music.”
Every cloud has a silver lining
There’s always something positive, even in difficult situations.
Example: “I lost my job, but every cloud has a silver lining — now I can pursue my passion.”
Put on your thinking cap
To start thinking seriously about something.
Example: “Let’s put on our thinking caps and find a solution.”
A blessing in disguise
Something that seems bad at first but turns out to be good.
Example: “Losing that job was a blessing in disguise — I found a much better one.”
Let the cat out of the bag
To accidentally reveal a secret or surprise that was meant to be kept hidden.
Example: He let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.
To put your foot in your mouth
To say something embarrassing or inappropriate.
Example: “I really put my foot in my mouth when I mentioned her ex.”
To be snowed under
To be overwhelmed with work or tasks.
Example: “I’m totally snowed under with assignments this week.”
Cover a lot of ground
To go through a large amount of material or work.
Example: “We covered a lot of ground in today’s lecture.”
Bite the bullet
To do something difficult or unpleasant that you have been avoiding.
Example: “I’m going to bite the bullet and ask for a raise.”