Bug and Insect Idioms

Curious about bug and insect idioms? These expressions are buzzing with meaning and often pop up in everyday conversations. From phrases that describe annoyance to ones that symbolise transformation, insect-related idioms add colour and depth to the English language. Whether you’re preparing for IELTS, TOEFL, OET, Cambridge English exams, or PTE Academic, mastering these idioms will help you sound more fluent and natural. Explore this list to learn their meanings and how to use them like a pro!

bug and insect idioms

What are bugs and insects?

First things first, you all know what insects are right? If not, I’ll tell you…

Insects are very small creatures that usually have 6 legs and wings. They can be classed as ‘pests’ (think mosquito).

There are many idiomatic expressions (idioms) about bugs and insects. Are you ready to take a look?

bug and insect idioms list

Explore this list of bug and insect idioms with picture examples to help you understand their meanings and use them naturally in conversation.

 

Click here to find out the meaning of idiomatic/idiom (if you’re unsure)

ant idioms

An ant is a small but mighty insect that lives in colonies with thousands of others. They work together to build nests, gather food, and protect their queen. Ants are super strong for their size and can carry things much heavier than themselves.

ant idioms

have ants in one’s pants

meaning – unable to sit still due to anxiousness, excitement, or nervousness
example – Sit down and be quiet. Do you have ants in your pants?

A chaotic classroom scene with children running, jumping, and playing while the teacher looks frustrated. A speech bubble from the teacher says, "It’s the last week of term. These lot have ants in their pants." A definition box at the bottom explains the idiom "have ants in one’s pants," meaning to be unable to sit still due to excitement, anxiety, or nervousness.

bee idioms

A bee or a bumblebee as they are sometimes called is a flying insect that makes honey. Bees aren’t aggressive and will only sting you if they feel threatened. The mean ones are called wasps and hornets. They are a similar but bigger and angrier.

bee idioms and expressions list in English

a busy bee

meaning – an active and busy person
example – Gary never stops, he’s such a busy bee.

A cartoon-style illustration of a chaotic kitchen with a maid holding a mop, looking frustrated. A speech bubble above her says, "I’m always a busy bee in the morning. They make such a mess!" The kitchen is filled with clutter: a man holding a football and a plunger, a crying baby in a high chair, spilled food, laundry, and a black cat reaching for a donut. A text box at the bottom defines "a busy bee" as an active and busy person with an example sentence.

have a bee in one’s bonnet

meaning – be obsessed with something
example – Leah has a bee in her bonnet about starting her own business.

Child upset about going to nursery, crying each morning showing to have a bee in one's bonnet.

make a beeline for someone/something

meaning – go directly towards someone/something
example – I made a beeline for the free bar as soon as it opened.

Man proposing to his girlfriend on a beach with text saying, "Six years ago, I made a beeline for a cute girl in a club. Today, I’m asking her to marry me."

the bee’s knees

meaning – the best
example – I’ve treated myself to a new computer, it’s the bee’s knees.

Illustration of the idiom the bee’s knees, showing a blue chef in a kitchen saying, "I’m the bee’s knees at cooking," while preparing food. A text box explains the idiom’s meaning as "the best," with an example sentence.

the birds and the bees

meaning – sex education
example – My dad is talking to my little brother about the birds and the bees.

Teacher pointing to a blackboard with "sex education" written on it, representing the idiom "the birds and the bees."

bug idioms

A bug is a general term for a small insect. e.g.

  • Help, there is a bug in my bedroom.
  • We need some pesticide; these little red bugs are eating my cabbages.

 

There is actually a good kid’s film called ‘A bug’s life‘ which can teach you the names of some common bugs. Children’s films are great for improving your English as the plot and the dialogue is fairly easy to understand.

bug idioms and expressions

as snug as a bug in a rug

meaning – warm/cosy/comfortable
example – Let’s go home, get as snug as a bug and watch some films.

A cartoon-style illustration of a cosy bedroom at night with two children sleeping in bunk beds, tucked under warm blankets. A cat is curled up on one of the beds. Two adults stand near the door, looking at the children, with one saying, "The kids are as snug as a bug in a rug." A window shows rain falling outside. A green text box at the bottom explains the idiom "as snug as a bug in a rug," meaning warm, cosy, and comfortable, with an example sentence.

don’t let the bed bugs bite

meaning – wishing someone a good night’s sleep
example – It’s past your bed time, go upstairs now. Don’t let the bed bugs bite.

Elderly man tucking a baby into a crib while saying, "Night night, sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite.

have the travel bug

meaning – have a strong desire/an urge to travel
example – I’ve had the travel bug for 10 years. I don’t think I’ll ever stop travelling.

Cartoon illustration of a person trekking in Nepal, wearing a winter hat, scarf, and gloves, holding a walking pole. A speech bubble says, "I'm trekking in Nepal. I've definitely got the travel bug." Below, a green box explains the idiom "have the travel bug" with its meaning and example sentence.

butterfly idioms

A butterfly is a beautiful flying insect with colourful wings which sucks nectar from plants. A butterfly starts its life as a caterpillar until it forms a chrysalis and emerges as a butterfly.

 

I’ve always thought they should have been called a flutterby, as they daintily flutter by you.

 

Similar to a butterfly is a moth however they tend to come out at night and are not colourful more grey and brown colours.

butterfly expressions and sayings

a social butterfly

meaning – a person who is sociable and friendly with everyone
example – Corey used to be a social butterfly, now he’s a recluse.

A colourful cartoon illustration of a lively park scene with various people socialising. A man with large butterfly wings is happily interacting with a diverse group, symbolising the idiom "social butterfly." A man in a suit looks on, saying, "My brother is a social butterfly, I wish I could be more like him." A text box at the bottom explains the meaning of "a social butterfly" as someone who is sociable and friendly with everyone.

have butterflies in one’s stomach

meaning – your stomach feels funny because you are scared, nervous, anxious etc.
example – I had butterflies this morning, but they went just before the exam.

Cartoon illustration of a nervous woman waiting for her date in a bar, holding a cocktail. A speech bubble says, "I’m waiting for my date. I really like him; I’ve got butterflies in my stomach." A bartender is pouring a drink, and another customer is sitting at the bar. Below, a purple box explains the idiom "have butterflies in one's stomach" with its meaning and example sentence.

fly idioms

A fly is an insect with 1 pair of wings and compound eyes. They come in different sizes but are all annoying in my opinion (especially the ones that bite!).

Flies start their lives as maggots (a disgusting worm-like creature). Flies lay their eggs on rotting flesh; the maggots are born, and they pupate and emerge as flies.

If you like old school films…there’s a good one from the 80’s called ‘The Fly‘ about a guy who gets bitten by a fly, then turns into one.

fly idioms and expressions

a fly on the wall

meaning – you would like to hear what is happening without being noticed
example – Marty is in trouble with his girl. I’d love to be a fly on the wall when she gets her hands on him.

Office scene with a boss angrily calling an employee into his office while a co-worker comments, "I’d love to be a fly on the wall in his office."

drop like flies

meaning – people are dying, leaving, stopping an activity in large numbers
example – I’ve had three friends die in the last month. They are dropping like flies.

fly idioms and expressions - drop like flies meaning

wouldn’t hurt a fly

meaning – a gentle, peaceful person or thing
example – My dog barks a lot, but she wouldn’t hurt a fly.

Cartoon illustration of a man pointing at a large spider and saying, "This is Boris. He looks a bit scary, but he wouldn’t hurt a fly." The spider is oversized, making the statement ironic. Below, a box explains the idiom "wouldn’t hurt a fly" with its meaning and example sentence.

worm idioms

A worm is a long snake-like creature with no bones or limbs. They usually live in the soil however they can also live inside humans and animals as a parasite, yuck!

Did you know that ‘worm’ is also a verb (a regular verb)? It means to wriggle and crawl your way into or out of something.

worm idioms and expressions

a bookworm

meaning – a person who loves reading
example – My mum has always been a bookworm, she’s always got her head in a book.

worm idioms list - bookworm meaning

open a can of worms

meaning – do/say something that will cause more trouble than it’s worth
example – If the owner’s unqualified daughter gets the promotion, it will open a can of worms.

A lively karaoke bar scene where a woman tells a man that his ex is at the bar with another woman. The shocked man, holding a bottle, exclaims, "You’ve just opened a can of worms!" The background features people drinking, chatting, and celebrating.

the worm has turned

meaning – someone retaliates against the person who has treated them badly
example – He treats her like shit. One day the worm will turn.

A lion in a circus cage has attacked and killed its trainer, symbolizing revenge. An orangutan watches from the corner, while hay bales fill the background. A speech bubble says, "After being locked up and abused for years, the worm has finally turned."

worm one’s way out of

meaning – give clever reasons to avoid doing something
example – We’ve wormed our way out of working this weekend, so we can come to the beach.

Cartoon illustration of a bank robber standing on the steps of a bank, surrounded by armed police officers. The robber, holding a money bag and a gun, has a speech bubble saying, "How am I going to worm my way out of this?" Below, a green box explains the idiom "worm one’s way out of" with its meaning and example sentence.

other bug and insect idioms

Now, let’s dive into a few quirky bug and insect idioms that don’t really fit into any particular category but are just as colourful and fun.

a face like a bulldog chewing a wasp

meaning – a very ugly face
example – Harley’s new girlfriend looks like a bulldog chewing a wasp.

a face like a bulldog chewing a wasp meaning and examples

knee-high to a grasshopper

meaning – very small/young
example – I haven’t seen Tara since she was knee-high to a grasshopper.

knee-high to a grasshopper meaning and examples

If you enjoyed learning about bug and insect idioms and expressions, why not click the buttons below to discover more picture idioms about animals.

bird
bull