YOU ARE QUITE LIKE AN ANIMAL

YOU ARE QUITE LIKE AN ANIMAL

Have you ever had any idea that we have something in common with animals? No, no, not physical or psychologically, but linguistically, for instance, we can say:

A scapegoat - a person who is blamed for the wrongdoings, mistakes, or faults of others (козёл отпущения)

The big bad wolf – a dangerous person that inspires fear  ("страшный серый волк", опасная, страшная личность)

As greedy as a wolf  - ("прожорливый, как волк", очень жадный, ненасытный)

A lone wolf -    ("волк-одиночка", человек, действующий в одиночку)

As cunning as a fox – (хитрый как лиса)

An old fox – a sly person

A dead dog -  a useless person (человек, от которого нет никакой пользы)

A dull dog – a boring person ( скучный, нудный человек, зануда)

A dumb dog – a taciturn person (молчаливый, неразговорчивый человек)

A copy cat - someone who copies another person’s work etc ("обезьяна" ,человек, подражающий другим)

A dark horse -  a candidate little known to the general public

Act like an ape – to behave badly, wildly, foolishly

Do you feel an animal in yourself? Or perhaps you know something about that linguistic relationship between animals and people? Then I’m giving you the floor (предоставлять слово кому-л) !!

To kill two birds with one stone

Achieve two goals with a single effort.

Zwei Fliegen mit einer Klappe schlagen

Let sleeping dogs lie

Do not provoke something.

Schlafende Hunde soll man nicht wecken.

to take the bull by the horns

to finally do something (unpleasant), sometimes to use an opportunity.

Den Stier bei den Hörnern packen

the straw that broke the camels back

the final reason for something

Der Tropfen, der das Fass zum Überlaufen brachte

to cry wolf

1. to give false alert

2. to bring someone back to reason

1. Alarm schlagen

2. Jemanden wachrütteln

straight from the horse's mouth

to get an information directly

etwas brühwarm erzählt bekommen

donkey’s years - a very long time

EXAMPLE: I talked to my friend for a long time because I hadn’t seen her in donkey’s years.

eager beaver - a person who is always eager to work or do something extra

EXAMPLE: She is a real eager beaver and I am sure she will do very well in this company.

eat like a horse  -  eat a lot

fraidy-cat - someone who is easily frightened (used by children)

EXAMPLE: The little boy called his friend a fraidy-cat because he wouldn’t climb the tree.