Introdução
Idioms — ou expressões idiomáticas — são um dos jeitos mais divertidos de mergulhar no inglês! Muitas dessas expressões usam animais para dar cor e humor à linguagem, mesmo quando o significado não tem nada a ver com os bichos citados. Vamos explorar cinco expressões muito populares, entender seus significados, conhecer um pouquinho de suas origens curiosas e ver como usá-las no dia a dia.
Aqui você encontra…
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Animal Idioms in English: Learn the Wild Side of the Language
Idioms are expressions whose meanings can’t be guessed just by looking at the words. Every language has them, but English is full of animal-based idioms that make conversations more colorful and fun. These phrases often sound puzzling at first, because their literal meanings have nothing to do with animals. Let’s explore some of the most famous animal idioms, discover their surprising origins, and see how you can use them in your everyday English.
Kill Two Birds with One Stone
Don’t worry! This idiom has nothing to do with harming birds! To kill two birds with one stone means to solve two problems or achieve two goals with a single action.
Origin: The phrase dates back to the 17th century and comes from hunting imagery, where hitting two birds with one stone would be a rare success.
Example: “By listening to English podcasts on my way to work, I kill two birds with one stone: I improve my English and stay entertained.”
Curiosity Killed the Cat
This is a warning sentence that means that being too curious can lead to trouble. W
hen someone is asking too many questions or poking around where they shouldn’t, you can say curiosity killed the cat.
Origin: This expression appeared in the 16th century as “care killed the cat,” meaning worry or stress could be dangerous; over time, it shifted to “curiosity.”
Example: “I wanted to know what was inside the box, but my friend said, ‘Careful, curiosity killed the cat!’”
Sweat Like a Pig
This idiom might sound strange, after all, pigs don’t really sweat! To sweat like a pig simply means to sweat a lot, especially when it’s hot or during exercise.
Origin: The phrase comes from iron smelting. When molten iron cooled, it formed “pig iron,” and when it was cool enough to handle, people said it was “sweating like a pig.”
Example: “After running five kilometers in the summer heat, I was sweating like a pig.”
Take the Bull by the Horns
When you take the bull by the horns, you face a challenge directly and with courage. It’s about being brave and dealing with a difficult situation head-on.
Origin: The image comes from the literal act of grabbing a bull by its horns to control it: a bold and dangerous move that symbolizes courage.
Example: “I was nervous about giving the presentation, but I took the bull by the horns and did it.”
It’s Raining Cats and Dogs
No animals are falling from the sky here! This idiom just means that it’s raining very heavily.
Origin: One theory traces it to 17th-century England, when heavy storms sometimes washed dead animals into the streets, making it seem as if “cats and dogs” had fallen from the sky.
Example: “Don’t forget your umbrella; it’s raining cats and dogs outside!”
Why Learning Idioms Makes Your English Stronger
Idioms make your English sound more natural and help you understand native speakers better. They also reveal the culture behind the language, showing humor and creativity that simple vocabulary can’t capture. By practicing idioms like these, you gain more than just new phrases—you sharpen your listening skills, expand your vocabulary, and get closer to thinking like a native speaker. Next time you hear a colorful animal idiom, you won’t be puzzled; you’ll be ready to use it confidently in your own conversations.
Get to know Apollo!
Quer aprender mais expressões como essas e levar seu inglês para o próximo nível? Venha para a Apollo Academy e descubra como aprender inglês pode ser divertido e cheio de curiosidades! Entre em contato e agende sua aula experimental hoje mesmo. Entre em contato com a Apollo English Academy e descubra como podemos transformar seu aprendizado em uma jornada envolvente e eficaz.
