other animal idioms and expressions

Here’s a list of idioms about other animals that don’t fit into any other groups.

as drunk as a skunk
meaning – very drunk
example – You were as drunk as a skunk last night. You couldn’t even speak.
as sly as a fox
meaning – smart, cunning
example – You need to be as sly as a fox. Walk in, take the cash box, and run back to the getaway car.

as strong as an ox
meaning – very strong
example – Nico will help you carry the boxes, he’s as strong as an ox.
badger someone
meaning – annoy/pester someone
example – Go and badger your mum, she’ll give you some money.

eager beaver
meaning – a keen/enthusiastic person
example – The new trainee is an eager beaver, she has volunteered for lots of projects already.
guinea pig
meaning – the subject of a test or experiment
example – I need to wax 3 people’s legs for my beauty course. Will you be one of my guinea pigs?

like a bear with a sore head
meaning – annoyed, grumpy, irritable
example – Get me a coffee! I’m like a bear with a sore head today.
make a mountain out of a molehill
meaning – exaggerate a minor issue
example – Andy is such a drama queen; he is always making mountains out of molehills.
party animal
meaning – someone who loves to party
example – My sister was a party animal, she has calmed down now.
silver fox
meaning – a handsome grey-haired man
example – Rufus was a geek at school, now he’s a silver fox.

snail’s pace
meaning – very slowly
example – My essay writing is going badly, I’m writing at a snail’s pace.

social chameleon
meaning – a person who changes the way they act with different people
example – I can slum it with kids from the estate or hobnob with royalty. I’m a social chameleon.
squirrel away
meaning – save something in a safe/secret place for a later date
example – I need a new roof for my house. Luckily, I have some money squirrelled away.

the straw that broke the camel’s back/the last straw
meaning – the final small thing that causes failure
example – Callum arrived late again. That was the last straw, he was fired immediately.
weasel one’s way out of something
meaning – avoid doing something
example – I weaseled my way out of my date with Henry. He’s not really my type.