Cat’s out of the bag: 9 funny, strange and useful idioms related to animals

Animal-related idioms often draw on cultural perceptions to convey deeper meanings.

For example, while many animal lovers may think of dogs as cuddly companions, strays often have a reputation for being dangerous. Thus, we “let sleeping dogs lie” because we do not want to awaken a potentially risky situation.

Here are nine animal-related idioms. Can you figure out the cultural context that may have led to the use of these phrases?

A stray dog sleeps next to a vendor selling religious offerings, along a lane in Varanasi, India. Photo: AFP

1. Let sleeping dogs lie

Meaning: to avoid interfering in a situation currently causing no problems or stirring up an old unresolved but forgotten issue or conflict

Example: It’s best to let sleeping dogs lie and not bring up last year’s argument during dinner.

2. Cat got your tongue?

Meaning: used to ask someone why they are being unusually quiet or unresponsive

Example: When asked about her sudden disappearance from the party, Cathy just shrugged, leaving us wondering if the cat had got her tongue.

3. Fish out of water

Meaning: describes a person who seems uncomfortable or out of place in a particular situation

Example: Dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, John felt like a fish out of water at the formal gala event.

Catches being unloaded and traded at a fishing port in Wenchang, in China’s southern Hainan province. Photo: Xinhua

4. Hold your horses

Meaning: to wait or slow down before taking action

Example: Hold your horses; we need to finish the discussion before making a decision.

5. Lion’s share

Meaning: the largest portion of something

Example: She did most of the project work, so she deserves the lion’s share of the credit.

6. Can of worms

Meaning: an abundant source of troubles; something that can lead to further problems or create issues

Example: Bringing up past grievances in today’s meeting might open a can of worms – and start some serious arguments.

French matador Sebastien Castella performs a pass on a fighting bull in Beziers, southern France. Photo: AFP

7. A bull in a china shop

Meaning: someone disruptive in a delicate situation

Example: Tom joined our lesson and started loudly criticising everyone’s ideas – like a bull in a china shop.

8. Ants in your pants

Meaning: feeling restless or impatient due to excitement or anxiety

Example: The children were so excited about the amusement park visit that they had ants in their pants, unable to sit still in the car.

9. Elephant in the room

Meaning: an obvious major problem or issue that people avoid discussing or acknowledging

Example: No one wanted to mention the elephant in the room: my parents’ loud and scathing disagreement.