When you know the idioms of a language, you achieve a higher level of confidence and fluency. Idioms are present in movies, books, newspapers, and especially in the conversation of everyday life. Many idioms have animal names and you will learn 10 of these idioms.

✅ As sick as a dog = very sick
E.g: I woke up as sick as a dog today. I must have caught the flu.

✅ A cat nap =  a short sleep taken during the day
E.g: Maybe I can close my office door and squeeze a cat nap in between my meetings this afternoon.

✅ To cry wolf = to give a false alarm, to warn of a danger that is not actually there.
E.g: Last Sunday my daughter screamed and said that she saw a mouse running around our kitchen. I thought that she was crying wolf, but this morning while I was making coffee, a mouse ran across the cupboard above me. I guess I was wrong.

✅ The lion’s share of (something) = the larger part or amount of something
E.g: We’ve finished the lion’s share of the presentation, but we’re still waiting for the financial slides.

✅  A white elephant = something that is not useful and is a financial burden to maintain, something that is more trouble than it is worth
E.g: The new stadium is a white elephant and everyone knows it.

✅ (Someone) wouldn’t (hurt / harm) a fly = they are kind and gentle, they wouldn’t do anything to upset or injure anyone
E.g: My dog wouldn’t hurt a fly. He’s a sweetheart.

✅ To work like a (dog / horse) = to work very hard
E.g: I’m too old to work like a horse these days. I’d rather just relax and enjoy my time.

✅ To hound (someone) = to pursue or chase someone, to harass or constantly demand something from someone
E.g: Could you quit hounding me? I’ll get the document to you as soon as it’s ready.

✅ (To /a) piggyback = sitting or being carried on someone’s back and shoulders
E.g: I’m tired of walking, Dad. Can you give me a piggyback?

✅ To throw (someone) to the (wolves / lions) = to send someone into danger without protection or support, to abandon or sacrifice someone, to permit someone to be blamed or criticized for something without trying to help him or her

E.g: My boss threw me to the wolves when she asked me to give a presentation with no warning.
 

Did you already know any of these expressions? Do you feel you could incorporate them into your daily conversations? We encourage you to try including idioms in your daily life. Your native speaker friends will be impressed.