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Cats and dogs are beloved pets in many cultures. This probably explains the abundance of phraseological units and set expressions with these animals in different languages
By the way, these idioms can express both something positive and negative, depending on how these animals are treated in the country of origin of the language. Let's dwell on them in more detail.
Idioms with CAT
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Be the cat's whiskers - be the best
He's the cat's whiskers in this group. - He is the best in this group. -
Has the cat got your tongue? - Have you swallowed your tongue?
Tell her everything – has the cat got your tongue? - Tell her everything - have you swallowed your tongue? -
Let the cat out of the bag - tell the whole story, the whole truth
The president let the cat out of the bag and told about the military actions. - The President revealed the whole truth and spoke about military operations. -
Like the cat that got the cream - like carnival for a cat, in seventh heaven.
After having seen the ring, Natasha looked like the cat that got the cream. - After she saw the ring, Natasha was in seventh heaven. -
Look like something the cat dragged / brought in - look dirty, worn out
Why does your backpack look like something the cat dragged? - Why is your backpack so shabby? -
Not have a cat in hell's chance We
don't have a cat in hell's chance in this race. - We do not have a single chance in this race. -
Put/ set the cat among the pigeons - put a goat in the garden, bring trouble
By giving a job to Steve, you set the cat among the pigeons. - Job for Steve, you let the goat into the garden. -
When the cat's away - when there is no boss ... (everyone else is having fun)
When the cat's away, we like having an extra break. - When there is no boss, we like to give ourselves another break. -
Fat cat - money bag, moneybag
Has this fat cat swept you off your feet? - You that, zakadil this money bag? -
Fight like cat and dog - swear like a cat with a dog
Since the divorce they have been fighting like cat and dog. - Since the divorce, they swear like a cat with a dog. -
Not enough room to swing a cat This
hotel won't have enough room to swing a cat during the film festival. - There will be nowhere for an apple to fall in this hotel during the film festival.
Idioms with DOG
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A dog in the manger - a dog in the manger.
She was acting like a dog in the manger. She behaved like a dog in the manger. -
A dog's breakfast / dinner - a mess, a nightmare
They've made a dog's breakfast out of the new house. - They made bedlam in the new house. -
Dressed up like a dog's dinner - inappropriately
dressed up She came to the date dressed up like a dog's dinner. - She came to the date dressed up like a scarecrow. -
Every dog has his/ its day - and on our street there will be a holiday
Don't get despaired. Every dog has his day. - Don't despair. And there will be a holiday on our street. -
Going to the dogs - collapsing, fading (about a building, place)
This tourist destination is likely to go to the dogs unless it's funded properly. - This tourist destination will be lost if not funded enough. -
Like a dog with a bone - going to the end, perfectionist
When it comes to making a profit, he acts like dog with a bone. - When it comes to making a profit, he goes all the way. -
Let sleeping dogs lie Do
n't tell him about your mistake, let sleeping dogs lie. - Don't tell him about your mistake, don't wake the sleeping dog. -
The tail wagging the dog - eggs teach the chicken
I know what to do, I can't let the tail wag the dog. - I know what to do, I can't let eggs teach chicken. -
You can't teach an old dog new tricks – Humpback Grave will fix
He still uses a typewriter instead of a computer. You can't teach an old dog new tricks. - He still uses a typewriter instead of a computer. Leopard change his spots. -
Top dog - leader, main, winner
Jenny Smith is sure to become top dog in the race. - Jenny Smith will definitely be the winner in the races.
