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You all know what water creatures are right? If not, I’ll tell you…
By water creatures, I’m talking about any animal that lives in the sea, lakes or rivers.
fish expressions
A fish is a creature with fins, a tail and scales which lives and breathes under water.
FUN FACT – ‘To fish’ is also a regular verb, it means to catch fish for sport or to eat.
Here’s a list of idioms about fish.
- a big fish in a small pond
meaning – someone who is important in a small area
example – Joe was a big fish in a small pond. When he went to uni, that all changed. - different kettle of fish
meaning – something is different from the thing you have been talking about
example – I said I’d spend an afternoon with him, a week is a different kettle of fish. - drink like a fish
meaning – drink too much alcohol
example – I think Tara has a problem; she drinks like a fish. - fish for compliments
meaning – try and elicit compliments from someone
example – Kirsty always fishes for compliments; she is so annoying. - have bigger fish to fry
meaning – have more important/interesting things to do
example – I can’t help you look for a new bike. I’ve got bigger fish to fry. - like a fish out of water
meaning – feel uncomfortable in a certain situation
example – I felt like a fish out of water at Oxford university, everyone was posh but I’m not. - packed in like sardines
meaning – lots of people or objects close together with little room
example – I went to a hen farm. It was horrible, all the chickens were packed in like sardines. - plenty more fish in the sea
meaning – when a relationship fails, there are more people to have relationships with
example – Everyone is telling me there’s plenty more fish in the sea, but I only want Hugh. - red herring
meaning – a misleading clue
example – There are so many red herrings in the film. You will never guess who the murderer is. - smell fishy
meaning – seem suspicious
example – The car I want to buy is way too cheap, something smells fishy.
fish expressions with pictures
Click on the pictures below to learn some common idioms and expressions about fish.
Each idiom includes the meaning and a real-life picture example.
water creature idioms
Let’s take a look at some idioms about sea animals.
- loan shark
meaning – a person who lends money but charges extremely high interest rates
example – Barry is in trouble, he borrowed £200 from a loan shark, and they want £500 back. - as slippery as an eel
meaning – cunning/devious and impossible to catch
example – He robbed a number of businesses then disappeared. He’s as Slippery as an eel. - clam up
meaning – suddenly become quiet and stop talking
example – Whenever I ask him if he’s being bullied, he just clams up. - crocodile tears
meaning – you cry but are not really upset or sorry
example – I’m sick of Leela’s crocodile tears, she is only doing it for attention. - have a frog in one’s throat
meaning – someone can’t speak as their mouth is dry and they need to cough
example – The presentation went badly. He had a frog in his throat so couldn’t get the words out. - have a whale of a time
meaning – have a really good time
example – The kids had a whale of a time at the water park yesterday. - warm the cockles of one’s heart
meaning – a warm and happy feeling
example – I’ll tell you a story about a little girl and a homeless man. It’ll warm the cockles of your heart.
water creatures idioms with pictures
Click on the pictures below to learn some common idioms and expressions with different water creatures.
Each idiom includes the meaning and a real-life picture example.
You can download a table of water creature idioms and expressions below.
If you’ve enjoyed this page, don’t forget to check out some more animal idioms by clicking on the links below.