You all know what a sheep is right? If not, I’ll tell you…
A sheep is a farmyard animal with a thick woolly coat. They are kept for meat, milk, and wool. The singular form is sheep, and the plural is also sheep (not sheeps!). A baby sheep is called a lamb (the ‘b’ is silent), a male sheep is called a ram and a female is called a ewe (pronounced like ‘you’).
The word ‘sheep’ is a slang word for a person who is easily influenced by others and follows the crowd.
e.g. Don’t be a sheep, buy the trainers you like not the ones all the cool kids have.
sheep idioms and sayings
Here’s a list of idioms about sheep with some picture examples.
a wolf in sheep’s clothing
meaning – a dangerous person who pretends to be harmless
example – Be wary of Lucas. I’ve got no proof, but I think he’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
be a lamb
meaning – an endearing way to ask someone to do something for you
example – Can you be a lamb and drive me to work as it’s raining?
by hook or by crook
meaning – by any means possible (honestly or dishonestly)
example – We’re going to win this competition by hook or by crook.
count sheep
meaning – if you can’t sleep, you should count sheep
example – I counted over 3000 sheep last night. I just couldn’t sleep.
in two shakes of a lamb’s tail
meaning – in a very short time
example – I’ll be with you in two shakes of a lamb’s tail. I’ve got to send a couple of emails first.
like a lamb to the slaughter
meaning – be calm and unaware of the danger to come
example – Four boys waited like lambs to the slaughter outside the headmaster’s office.
makes sheep’s eyes at
meaning – look at someone with affection
example – I swear Lisa’s boyfriend has been making sheep’s eyes at me all night.
mutton dressed as lamb
meaning – an older woman who dresses in clothes that suit a much younger woman
example – My mum is mutton dressed as lamb; she should dress more appropriately.
one might as well be hanged for a sheep as a lamb
meaning – you will get the same punishment for a crime so may as well commit a bigger offence
example – I’ll borrow my sister’s shoes too; I might as well be hanged for a sheep as a lamb.
separate the sheep from the goats
meaning – decide from a group which is good, and which is bad
example – We have a training session tomorrow. Coach wants to separate the sheep from the goats.
the black sheep (of the family)
meaning – the naughty/odd/different one
example – All my family are doctors, but my brother is unemployed. He’s the black sheep.
You can check out the video of all the sheep idioms and sayings below.
You can download a table of sheep idioms and sayings below.
If you’ve enjoyed this page, don’t forget to check out some more animal idioms by clicking on the links below.