Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
Download QR code; Print/export ... Idioms from non-English cultures (4 C, 7 P) L. Legal idioms (3 P) M. Metaphors referring to animals (16 C, 31 P)
A list of metaphors in the English language organised alphabetically by type. A metaphor is a literary figure of speech that uses an image, story or tangible thing to represent a less tangible thing or some intangible quality or idea; e.g., "Her eyes were glistening jewels".
An idiom is a common word or phrase with a figurative, non-literal meaning that is understood culturally and differs from what its composite words' denotations would suggest; i.e. the words together have a meaning that is different from the dictionary definitions of the individual words (although some idioms do retain their literal meanings – see the example "kick the bucket" below).
The English-language idiom "raining cats and dogs" or "raining dogs and cats" is used to describe particularly heavy rain. It is of unknown etymology and is not necessarily related to the raining animals phenomenon. [1] The phrase (with "polecats" instead of "cats") has been used at least since the 17th century. [2] [3]
Zoologists have repeatedly compared predatory animals which make use of aggressive mimicry to a wolf in sheep's clothing. [19] The idiom has in addition been applied slightly more broadly for aggressive masquerade , where the predator is disguised as a harmless object, not necessarily the prey. [ 20 ]
Get AOL Mail for FREE! Manage your email like never before with travel, photo & document views. Personalize your inbox with themes & tabs. You've Got Mail!
In Swedish, the phrase "när grisar flyger" is identical to the English saying. In French, the most common expression is " quand les poules auront des dents " (when the hens have teeth). In Russian, a popular expression with a similar meaning is " когда рак на горе свистнет " (when the crayfish will whistle on the mountain).
Main page; Contents; Current events; Random article; About Wikipedia; Contact us; Help; Learn to edit; Community portal; Recent changes; Upload file