- Blind as a bat: Unable to see well. Example: I’m as blind as a bat without my glasses.
- Have bats in one’s belfry: To be silly and slightly crazy. Example: You must really have bats in your belfry if you think I’ll put up with that kind of stuff.
- Be like a bear with a sore head: To be in a bad mood that causes you to treat other people badly and complain a lot. Example: If his newspaper doesn’t arrive by breakfast time he’s like a bear with a sore head.
- A bear hug: A rough, tight embrace. Example: She handed me my purse, gave me a tight bear hug, and shove me out the door.
- Be like feeding time at the zoo: To be very noisy and untidy and have no order. Example: Dinner at our house is like feeding time at the zoo!
- The nature of the beast: To be what something is like or what it involves. Example: Owning a car involves a lot of expense - that’s the nature of the beast.
- Beast of burden: An animal such as a donkey or an ox that is used to carry or pull things. Example: Camels have been used by people as beasts of burden for thousands of years.
- No use to man or beast: To be completely useless. Example: I admire the intelligence with which you argue your points, friend, but unless you’re willing to put your words into action, I’m afraid your philosophy is of no use to man or beast.
- Be the bee’s knees: To be excellent or of an extremely high standard. Example: Have you tried this ice cream? It’s the bee’s knees, it really is.
- Have a bee in one’s bonnet: To keep talking about something again and again because you think it is very important. Example: She never stops talking about dieting – she’s got a real bee in her bonnet about it.
- Be (as) busy as a bee: To be moving about quickly doing many things. Example: She’s as busy as a bee, always going to meetings and organizing parties.
- Eager beaver: A person who is willing to work very hard. Example: The students were buzzing and there was a long queue of eager beavers waiting for their turn.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of animal idioms worksheet.
