Idiom: (n) an expression, word, or phrase that has a figurative meaning that is separate from the literal meaning or definition of the words of which it is made.
CLOTHES
Air one’s dirty linen in public
To argue with your partner or family about personal or private issues in front of other people.
“I hate the way Susan and John always air their dirty linen in public!”
Dress to kill
Wearing your best clothes in the hope of impressing people.
“You must be going somewhere special - you’re really dressed to kill!”
At the drop of a hat
To do something spontaneously, without warning and apparently easily.
“She’ll stop what she’s doing and help you at the drop of a hat.”
Bet your boots
To bet everything you have; to strongly believe something will happen.
“You can bet your boots she won’t be home before dinner. When
she goes shopping she stays until the shops all close!”
Get your knickers in a twist
To become worked up, angry or stressed about something.
“Alright alright calm down! Getting your knickers in a twist won’t solve anything.”
Fit like a glove
When something fits you like a glove it suits you very well or is the perfect size.
“I tried on my father’s old coat and it fit me like a glove!”
To have something up your sleeve
To have a secret advantage or reserve plan which you have not yet revealed.
“That James Bond! You think it’s all going wrong but he’s always got some trick up his sleeve hasn’t he?”
ANIMALS
Raining cats and dogs
If it's raining cats and dogs it's raining very heavily.
"We can't go to the park today because it's raining cats and dogs."
Ants in one's pants
People who have ants in their pants are very restless or excited about something.
"I wish he'd relax. He's got ants in his pants about something today!"
Have a bee in one's bonnet
A person who has a bee in their bonnet has an idea which constantly occupies their thoughts.
"She's got a bee in her bonnet about moving to New York."
Kill two birds with one stone.
If you kill two birds with one stone, you succeed in doing two things at the same time.
"By studying on the train on the way home every week-end, Claire kills two birds with one stone."
Like a bear with a sore head
If someone is behaving like a bear with a sore head, they are very irritable and bad-tempered.
"When his team lost the match, Brad was like a bear with a sore head."
Like a bull in a china shop
If someone is behaving like a bull in a china shop they are acting without thinking and without tact, upsetting plans and people.
"I wouldn’t invite him to the party - he’s like a bull in a china shop after a glass of wine!”
Cat's whiskers (also: the cat's pyjamas or the bees’knees)
This expression refers to someone who considers themselves to be better than others in a particular area - beauty, competence, intelligence, sport, etc.
"Ever since she got a promotion, she thinks she's the cat's whiskers!"
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