IELTS Animal Idioms

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

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)

"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)

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)

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

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)

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

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

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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

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

I don't trust Erik 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 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)

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)

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

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)

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

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

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

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)

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)