This is lesson 6 from Idiom Part 2. Each idiom is followed by its definition and examples. After you learn them, you can use them in your daily conversation.
Previous English Idiom Lesson
In our previous English idiom lesson, we cover below:
English Idiom Part 2- Lesson 6
1- By a whisker= by very small amount
We just caught the train by a whisker– with less than a minute to spare!
2- Fight like cat and dog= two people continually arguing with one another
Mary and her husband get on really well even if sometimes they seem to fight like cat and dog.
3- Pussyfooting around= Be too hesitant and cautious in expressing one’s opinion
I realized I could no longer pussyfoot around.
Note: the opposite idiom is “to speak your mind”
4- Have a cat in hell’s chance= have no chance achieving sth
They have a cat in hell’s chance of getting over the mountain in weather like this.
5- A catty remark= malicious remark
She’s always making catty remarks about her sister.
6- Put the cat among pigeons= to do or say sth that makes lots of troubles or make people angry or worried
If the bribery scandal goes public, it will put the cat among the pigeons.
7- When the cat’s away, the mice will play= people sometimes misbehave when no one is there to watch them.
John didn’t study at all while his parents were out of town. When the cat’s away, the mice will play.
8- Curiosity killed the cat= it is a proverb used to warn us of the danger of unnecessary investigation or examinations.
You must not play the role of a private detective investigating a bizarre and dangerous case. Curiosity killed the cat.
9- There isn’t enough room to swing a cat= it describes a room as very small
Our new apartment is so small that there is not enough room to swing a cat.
10- Rub someone the wrong way= to annoy someone
He was known as an arrogant player who rubbed his teammates the wrong way.
11- Like a cat on hot bricks= be restless, unable to remain still
Because of being nervous about the lecture he had to give, David was like a cat on hot bricks.
Next English Idiom Lesson
In our next English idiom lesson, we cover below:
Related Idioms
Here is the list of idioms related to this lesson.
Idiom Part 1 Outline
If you wish to explore all lessons that are covered in HiCafe Idiom Part 1, you can visit the Essential and Popular English idioms- Part 1 page.
English Fluency Resources
If you like to read all of lessons related to English expressions, phrases, idioms, proverbs, slang and words, you can visit our Improve English Fluency page.