IELTS Animal Idioms

I feel really sorry for poor old Steven: he's so _____pecked. (criticised and given orders all the time by a wife or female partner)

I'd love to be a _____ on the wall when Debbie tells Mr Roberts what she thinks of him! (to be able to see what people are doing without them noticing you)

I can't help you at the moment, I'm afraid. I've got bigger _____ to fry. (to have more important things to do or think about)

It really gets my _____, the way she keeps interrupting all the time. (to annoy someone)

He thinks he's better than us. I wish he would get off his high _____. (stop behaving as if he knows more or is better than anyone else)

I only started my new job last week, and I still feel like a _____ out of water. (to be in a situation that you know nothing about or are not used to)

You really let the _____ out of the bag when you asked Louise what time her party started. She didn't know anything about it. It was supposed to be a surprise. (to tell someone something that was supposed to be a secret)

What do you think of our new English teacher? Personally I think she's a bit of a cold _____. (someone who is not very friendly)

Have you met our new manager? He really thinks he's the _____'s knees! (to think you are very clever and important)

How did I know that you were going out with Lucy? Aha! A little _____ told me! (an expression used for saying that you are not going to say who told you something)

I'm so hungry, I could eat a _____! (an expression used for saying that you are very hungry)

Antonia is very timid: she wouldn't say boo to a _____. (an expression used to describe someone who is very quiet and shy)

I don't trust Eric when he says he's working late at the office. To be honest, I smell a _____. (to be suspicious, or to think that someone is trying to trick you)

I'm not going out with you looking like that. You look like something that the _____ dragged in! Brush your hair and put on some clean clothes! (to have a very dirty or untidy appearance)

It was a very simple job, but I made a _____'s ear of it. (do something very badly)

I've got so many things to do today. I'm running around like a headless _____! (trying to do a lot of things quickly without being sensible or calm about it)

"Do you think I'll pass my driving test tomorrow, Julie?" "Sorry, Mark, I don't think you have a _____ in hell's chance." (to have no chance at all of doing something)

Tony! What a surprise! It's wonderful to see you again. I haven't seen you for _____'s years! (an extremely long time)

The hotel used to be the best in town, but since the new manager took over it's really gone to the _____s. (not as good at it was in the past)

William didn't get the promotion he wanted last year, and he's had a _____ in his bonnet about it ever since. (to be very involved in something that you think is important, in a way that other peoplefind annoying)

I live on the 14th floor of a tower block, so I have a wonderful _____'s-eye view of the town. (a good view of something from a high position)

I always thought Laurence was rather shallow and superficial, but yesterday I saw him reading a book of Renaissance poetry. He's a bit of a dark _____, isn't he? (someone with a secret, especially a secret ability, skill or achievement)

While we're in town doing our shopping, let's go and see my mother. That way, we can kill two_____s with one stone. (to achieve two aims with one action)

Where have you been? You're soaking wet! You look like a drowned _____! (looking very wet and cold)

"How did you know that Mr Roberts is going to resign?" "I got it straight from the _____'s mouth." (information that comes from someone who is directly involved – in this case, from Mr Roberts)

The party was wonderful. We had a _____ of a time. (to have a lot of fun)

That's the third burger you've eaten. I wish you'd stop making such a _____ of yourself. (to eat a lot of food)