Animal Idioms

17 English idioms built around animal words, each with a full page covering meaning, origin, examples, and common mistakes.

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A fish out of waterA fish out of water describes a person who feels uncomfortable, awkward, or out of place because they are in a situation or environment… A frog in your throatTo have a frog in your throat means to have a temporary difficulty speaking clearly because your throat feels rough, dry, or blocked,… A wolf in sheep's clothingA wolf in sheep's clothing is a person who hides a dangerous, dishonest, or harmful nature behind a friendly, harmless, or trustworthy… Beat a dead horseBeat a dead horse — To continue talking about, arguing over, or working on a subject that has already been settled, decided, or is… Cry wolfLearn the meaning and origin of “Cry wolf”. Curiosity killed the catCuriosity killed the cat is a proverb used to warn someone that being too nosy, prying, or inquisitive can bring them trouble,… Every dog has its dayEvery dog has its day — Everyone, even the lowliest or most unfortunate person, will eventually have a period of success, good fortune… Fish out of waterA fish out of water describes a person who is in an environment, situation, or social group that is unfamiliar and uncomfortable for… Fly Off the HandleFly off the handle — to suddenly become very angry and lose control of one's temper, often without much provocation or warning. Fly by the seat of your pantsFly by the seat of your pants means to handle a difficult or uncertain situation using instinct and improvisation, without a clear plan,… Let the Cat Out of the BagWhat does "let the cat out of the bag" mean? Put the cart before the horsePut the cart before the horse means to do things in the wrong order, especially by doing something that should come later before… Straight from the horse's mouthStraight from the horse's mouth — Directly from the original or most authoritative source. Take the bull by the hornsTake the bull by the horns means to deal with a difficult or dangerous situation in a direct, decisive, and courageous way — rather than… The elephant in the roomThe elephant in the room — An obvious problem or controversial issue that everyone is aware of but nobody mentions or addresses, usually… The lion's shareThe lion's share — The largest part or majority of something, especially when it is divided among several people or things. When pigs flyWhen pigs fly — Used to say that something will never happen.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does English have so many animal idioms?

Animal words describe things every English speaker experiences directly, so they make vivid, easy-to-picture comparisons. Over centuries, phrases built around animal words became fixed idioms because the images are so memorable and universally understood.

What does "A fish out of water" mean?

"A fish out of water" means a fish out of water describes a person who feels uncomfortable, awkward, or out of place because they are in a situation or environment…. See the full page on this idiom for its origin, example sentences, and common mistakes.

Are animal idioms common in everyday spoken English?

Yes. Many animal idioms — like "A frog in your throat" — are used constantly in casual conversation, films, and news headlines. Learning a handful of the most common ones will noticeably improve your listening comprehension.

How many animal idioms are on this page?

This page currently links to 17 animal idioms from LexFizz's full idiom collection, each with its own page covering meaning, origin, examples, and common mistakes.

What CEFR level should I be to learn animal idioms?

Most animal idioms are introduced from B1 (intermediate) level onward, with some appearing as early as A2 in simplified form. Check the CEFR badge on each individual idiom page for its specific level.

Can I use animal idioms in formal writing?

Generally no. Like most idioms, animal-themed expressions are best suited to spoken English, casual writing, and creative texts. In formal essays, reports, or official correspondence, plain and precise language is usually preferred.

What is the best way to memorise animal idioms?

Learn them in context rather than as a word list: read an example sentence, picture the literal animal image behind the idiom, and then try writing your own sentence. LexFizz's Flip Tiles and Flash Cards exercises use spaced repetition to help this stick.

Do animal idioms have equivalents in other languages?

Often, yes — many languages have their own animal-based sayings for similar ideas, though the exact wording rarely translates literally. Comparing the English idiom to a phrase you already know in your own language can make it easier to remember.

Where can I practise animal idioms?

Each idiom page linked below includes example sentences and common mistakes. You can also use LexFizz's Flip Tiles and Flash Cards exercises to actively test yourself on the idioms in this list.

Are there more idiom themes besides animal on LexFizz?

Yes — LexFizz groups idioms into several themed collections, including weather, animal, food, colour, body, money, sports, and time idioms. Visit the main <a href="/idioms/">Idioms hub</a> to browse by theme or see the full alphabetical list.