Idiom Study 2nd

1) A fish out of water

- I felt like a fish out of water on mmy first day at university

= I felt very uncomfortable on my first day at university because everything was unfamiliar

Comments

it has a negative connotation

You can also say "someone is a fish out of water"

 

2) A dark horse

- Richard's a bit of a dark horse. He can speak Spanish, Russian

= Richard prefers not to tell people he can speak Spanish, Russian, Chinese and French

Comments

it has a positive connotation

 

3) Guinea pig

- I'm not interested! Find someone else to be your guinea pig

= I don't want you to experiment or test something on me

Comments

it has a negative connotation

You can also say "Someone is looking for a guineapig"

 

4) The black sheep of the family

- Mu Uncle Simon has been to prison twice for tax evasion. My mom calls him the black ship of the family

= My mom thinks Uncle Simon has disgraced the family because he's been to prison twice

Comments

it has negative connotation

You can also say "someone is the black sheep of the family"

 

5) Let the cat out of the bag

- Mom found out we're not coming home for Chrismas. So, who let the cat out of the bag?

= Who revealed the secret that we are not coming home for Christmas?

Comments

It has a slightly negative

it indicates that the action was done unintentionally

 

6) A fly on the wall

- I'd love to be a fly on the wall when she tells him he's fired

= I'd love to secretly be there when she tells him he's fired

Comments

It is usually used with want to be, wish, would like to.

It has a neutral connotation

 

7) Plenty more fish in the sea

- I know you loved her, but just remember there are plenty more fish in the sea

= I know you loved her, but there are other people to choose from.

Comments

It has a positive connotation

You use it when you try to make someone feel better

 

8) A party animal

- Claire is a real party animal

= Claire loves going to parties and socialising

Comments

It's relatively informal

it has a neautral connotation

 

9) Chicken out

- I wanted to propose, but when we were finally on our own I chickened out.

= I wanted to propose, but I was too afraid, so I didn't

Comments

it has a negative connotation

it's informal

You can also say "Someone chickened out of something / doing something"

 

10) A little bird told me

- A little bird told me you've just got engaged

= Soemebody told me you've just got engaged

Comments

It has a neutral connotation

You can also use a variety of reporting verbs and say "A little bird says that/ thinks /  informs me / claims that"