Pets are a big part of many families. People in the U.S. often treat their pets like family members. Dogs, cats, birds, and even fish bring joy and comfort to their owners. Because pets are so special, people use many phrases about them in everyday talk. These phrases, called idioms, help us explain feelings, ideas, or situations in a fun way.
Idioms about pets often come from how animals act or how people feel about them. For example, we might say someone is “in the doghouse” when they’re in trouble. These expressions make conversations more interesting. In this article, you will learn some popular idioms about pets, what they mean, and how to use them. This can help you understand what others say and help you sound more natural when you talk.
Idioms About Pets
1. Let the cat out of the bag
Meaning: To reveal a secret
Example Sentence:
– She let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.
– He let the cat out of the bag and told everyone the news.
Other ways to say: Spill the beans, reveal the secret
Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from old markets where someone might try to sell a cat in a bag pretending it was a pig.
Usage: Used when someone accidentally tells a secret.
2. In the doghouse
Meaning: In trouble with someone
Example Sentence:
– Dad was in the doghouse after forgetting Mom’s birthday.
– I was in the doghouse for not doing my homework.
Other ways to say: In trouble, out of favor
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of a dog being sent outside when it’s bad.
Usage: Used when someone is not being liked because of what they did.
3. Raining cats and dogs
Meaning: Raining very heavily
Example Sentence:
– We stayed inside because it was raining cats and dogs.
– It’s raining cats and dogs, so don’t forget your umbrella.
Other ways to say: Pouring rain, heavy rain
Fun Fact/Origin: This old phrase might come from animals being swept through streets during storms in old times.
Usage: Used to describe very heavy rain.
4. Like a cat on a hot tin roof
Meaning: Very nervous or jumpy
Example Sentence:
– She was like a cat on a hot tin roof before her speech.
– He looked like a cat on a hot tin roof waiting for his test.
Other ways to say: Anxious, jumpy
Fun Fact/Origin: Cats don’t like hot surfaces, so they hop around if they step on one.
Usage: Used to describe someone who is uneasy.
5. Fight like cats and dogs
Meaning: To argue or fight a lot
Example Sentence:
– My brothers fight like cats and dogs all the time.
– Those two classmates always fight like cats and dogs.
Other ways to say: Argue a lot, don’t get along
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea that cats and dogs often don’t get along.
Usage: Used to describe people who argue often.
6. Let sleeping dogs lie
Meaning: Don’t bring up old problems
Example Sentence:
– Just let sleeping dogs lie and don’t talk about it.
– He wanted to argue, but I told him to let sleeping dogs lie.
Other ways to say: Don’t bring it up, leave it alone
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea that waking a resting dog might cause trouble.
Usage: Used when it’s better not to bring up old issues.
7. Curiosity killed the cat
Meaning: Being too curious can cause trouble
Example Sentence:
– Don’t peek in the box. Curiosity killed the cat.
– He asked too many questions. Curiosity killed the cat.
Other ways to say: Don’t be nosy, don’t ask too much
Fun Fact/Origin: This saying warns that too much curiosity can lead to danger.
Usage: Used when telling someone not to be too curious.
8. Like herding cats
Meaning: Very hard to control a group
Example Sentence:
– Getting the kids ready was like herding cats.
– Trying to get everyone to agree was like herding cats.
Other ways to say: Hard to manage, chaotic
Fun Fact/Origin: Cats are known for doing what they want, not following orders.
Usage: Used to describe a group that is hard to manage.
9. Dog-eat-dog world
Meaning: A very competitive place
Example Sentence:
– It’s a dog-eat-dog world in business.
– The sports world is dog-eat-dog.
Other ways to say: Competitive, every person for themselves
Fun Fact/Origin: Suggests that dogs would fight each other to survive.
Usage: Used when talking about strong competition.
10. Barking up the wrong tree
Meaning: Blaming the wrong person
Example Sentence:
– If you think I broke it, you’re barking up the wrong tree.
– She was barking up the wrong tree by blaming him.
Other ways to say: Blame wrongly, look in the wrong place
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from hunting dogs barking at trees with no prey.
Usage: Used when someone is making a wrong guess.
11. Work like a dog
Meaning: To work very hard
Example Sentence:
– I worked like a dog all weekend to finish my project.
– She worked like a dog cleaning the whole house.
Other ways to say: Work hard, put in effort
Fun Fact/Origin: Dogs are often used as work animals, especially in farming.
Usage: Used when someone is putting in a lot of effort.
12. A copycat
Meaning: Someone who copies another person
Example Sentence:
– Don’t be a copycat—come up with your own idea.
– My little brother is such a copycat!
Other ways to say: Imitator, mimic
Fun Fact/Origin: Cats often copy each other’s actions, which may have started the term.
Usage: Used when someone does the same thing as someone else.
13. Hair of the dog
Meaning: A little bit of what caused a problem, used as a fix
Example Sentence:
– Some people drink more as hair of the dog after a party.
– He said hair of the dog helps him feel better in the morning.
Other ways to say: Remedy, small cure
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from old idea of using a dog’s hair to treat a dog bite.
Usage: Often used when talking about hangovers.
14. Top dog
Meaning: The person in charge or the best
Example Sentence:
– He became the top dog at his company.
– She’s the top dog on the soccer team.
Other ways to say: Leader, champion
Fun Fact/Origin: Dogs fight for leadership in packs—top dog wins.
Usage: Used for someone who is best or most powerful.
15. Puppy love
Meaning: Young or early love
Example Sentence:
– Their crush in third grade was just puppy love.
– That’s not real love, just puppy love.
Other ways to say: Crush, young love
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to how puppies get easily excited—like young kids in love.
Usage: Used for young or short-term love.
16. Like a dog with a bone
Meaning: Not giving up on something
Example Sentence:
– He’s like a dog with a bone when he has a puzzle.
– She won’t stop until it’s done—like a dog with a bone.
Other ways to say: Determined, won’t give up
Fun Fact/Origin: Dogs often hold onto bones and won’t let go.
Usage: Used when someone is very focused or stubborn.
17. Cat nap
Meaning: A short nap
Example Sentence:
– I took a cat nap after lunch.
– He needs a cat nap before practice.
Other ways to say: Quick nap, rest
Fun Fact/Origin: Cats are known for taking many short naps during the day.
Usage: Used when someone takes a quick rest.
18. Dog days
Meaning: The hottest time of the year
Example Sentence:
– During the dog days of summer, we stay indoors.
– It’s the dog days, so the pool is packed.
Other ways to say: Hot spell, summer heat
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the time when the “Dog Star” Sirius rises in the sky.
Usage: Used to describe hot, lazy summer days.
19. Like a scaredy-cat
Meaning: Someone who is easily scared
Example Sentence:
– Don’t be a scaredy-cat; it’s just a movie.
– He ran away like a scaredy-cat.
Other ways to say: Coward, chicken
Fun Fact/Origin: Cats often jump at sudden sounds, which may have started this saying.
Usage: Used when teasing someone for being scared.
20. Throw someone to the wolves
Meaning: To leave someone to face trouble alone
Example Sentence:
– They threw her to the wolves by not helping during the meeting.
– He felt like he was thrown to the wolves at his new job.
Other ways to say: Abandon, leave to struggle
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of leaving someone defenseless with wild animals.
Usage: Used when someone is not supported in a tough situation.
21. Every dog has its day
Meaning: Everyone gets a chance to succeed
Example Sentence:
– Don’t worry—you’ll win next time. Every dog has its day.
– He finally scored a goal. Every dog has its day!
Other ways to say: Your turn will come, everyone gets lucky
Fun Fact/Origin: This saying has been around since ancient times.
Usage: Used to give hope that success will come.
22. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks
Meaning: It’s hard for people to change habits
Example Sentence:
– Grandpa won’t use a phone. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
– She won’t change how she cooks—old dog, new tricks!
Other ways to say: Hard to change, stuck in their ways
Fun Fact/Origin: Based on the belief that older dogs won’t learn new behaviors.
Usage: Used when someone resists learning or change.
23. Sick as a dog
Meaning: Very sick
Example Sentence:
– I was sick as a dog all weekend.
– She missed school because she was sick as a dog.
Other ways to say: Really sick, very ill
Fun Fact/Origin: Dogs sometimes get very sick suddenly, making the saying stick.
Usage: Used when someone feels very unwell.
24. Cool cat
Meaning: A calm, confident person
Example Sentence:
– He’s such a cool cat—nothing bothers him.
– She stayed calm like a cool cat during the test.
Other ways to say: Chill, laid-back
Fun Fact/Origin: Popular in jazz music in the 1950s to describe smooth people.
Usage: Used to describe someone calm and stylish.
25. Go to the dogs
Meaning: Become worse or ruined
Example Sentence:
– The town has gone to the dogs since the factory closed.
– That restaurant used to be great, but it’s gone to the dogs.
Other ways to say: Decline, get worse
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of giving leftovers to dogs, meaning things aren’t as good.
Usage: Used to describe things getting worse.
26. Fat cat
Meaning: A rich or powerful person
Example Sentence:
– The fat cats on Wall Street made millions.
– The fat cats don’t care about small businesses.
Other ways to say: Wealthy person, big boss
Fun Fact/Origin: The term became common in politics to describe wealthy leaders.
Usage: Used when talking about powerful, rich people.
27. Cat got your tongue?
Meaning: Why aren’t you talking?
Example Sentence:
– You’re so quiet—cat got your tongue?
– He just stood there. Cat got your tongue?
Other ways to say: Why so quiet? Lost for words?
Fun Fact/Origin: The true origin isn’t clear, but it’s been used since the 1800s.
Usage: Used when someone suddenly stops talking.
28. Like a lone wolf
Meaning: Someone who prefers to be alone
Example Sentence:
– He’s a lone wolf—likes to work by himself.
– She’s like a lone wolf and doesn’t hang out much.
Other ways to say: Independent, keeps to self
Fun Fact/Origin: Wolves usually travel in packs, so a lone wolf stands out.
Usage: Used to describe someone who doesn’t follow a group.
29. Play possum
Meaning: Pretend to be asleep or unaware
Example Sentence:
– I knew he was awake, but he played possum.
– She played possum to avoid cleaning.
Other ways to say: Fake it, pretend
Fun Fact/Origin: Possums are known to play dead when scared.
Usage: Used when someone fakes being asleep or unaware.
30. Like a cat with nine lives
Meaning: Someone who escapes danger many times
Example Sentence:
– He’s been in so many accidents—it’s like he has nine lives.
– That cat survived a fall—must have nine lives.
Other ways to say: Very lucky, always escapes
Fun Fact/Origin: Cats are known for escaping danger, leading to the nine lives idea.
Usage: Used for someone very lucky or who survives risky situations.
31. Bark is worse than bite
Meaning: Someone seems mean but isn’t
Example Sentence:
– Don’t worry about the coach. Her bark is worse than her bite.
– He yells, but his bark is worse than his bite.
Other ways to say: Looks tough but is kind
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from dogs who bark loudly but don’t attack.
Usage: Used when someone seems scary but is not harmful.
32. Like a bull in a china shop
Meaning: Someone who is clumsy
Example Sentence:
– He knocked over the shelf—like a bull in a china shop.
– Don’t be like a bull in a china shop—be careful!
Other ways to say: Clumsy, rough
Fun Fact/Origin: China shops had fragile items, so a bull would destroy everything.
Usage: Used when someone is careless or rough.
33. Puppy eyes
Meaning: A sad, begging look
Example Sentence:
– She gave me puppy eyes, so I said yes.
– He used his puppy eyes to get a cookie.
Other ways to say: Sad face, pleading look
Fun Fact/Origin: Puppies use big, soft eyes to get attention.
Usage: Used when someone makes a sad face to get something.
34. Busy as a beaver
Meaning: Very busy
Example Sentence:
– She’s busy as a beaver with her school work.
– He’s been busy as a beaver fixing the garage.
Other ways to say: Hard-working, active
Fun Fact/Origin: Beavers work a lot building their homes.
Usage: Used when someone is doing a lot of work.
35. Crazy like a fox
Meaning: Seems silly but is smart
Example Sentence:
– Don’t be fooled—he’s crazy like a fox.
– She looks silly, but she’s crazy like a fox.
Other ways to say: Clever, tricky
Fun Fact/Origin: Foxes are seen as smart animals who fool others.
Usage: Used when someone pretends to be dumb but is clever.
Quiz: Idioms About Pets
Instructions: Choose the correct meaning for each idiom. Each question has one correct answer. Use what you’ve learned from the idioms to find the best choice.
Question Key
1. What does “let the cat out of the bag” mean?
A) Hide a surprise
B) Tell a secret
C) Buy a cat
2. If someone is “in the doghouse,” what’s going on?
A) They’re getting a new pet
B) They’re in trouble
C) They’re going on vacation
3. When it’s “raining cats and dogs,” what does that mean?
A) The weather is calm
B) Pets are outside
C) It’s raining a lot
4. What does “fight like cats and dogs” mean?
A) To play together
B) To argue a lot
C) To act quiet
5. If someone says “let sleeping dogs lie,” what should you do?
A) Wake the dog up
B) Talk about old problems
C) Leave old problems alone
6. What does “puppy love” usually describe?
A) Real, lasting love
B) Love between adults
C) Young or early love
7. “Curiosity killed the cat” is a warning to…
A) Keep asking questions
B) Stop being too nosy
C) Hug your cat
8. If someone is “working like a dog,” what are they doing?
A) Sleeping
B) Working very hard
C) Playing outside
9. What does it mean when someone has “cat got your tongue?”
A) They’re talking too much
B) They can’t stop laughing
C) They’re silent or shy
10. “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” means…
A) Young people learn fast
B) Old dogs are better pets
C) It’s hard to change habits
11. What does “like a dog with a bone” mean?
A) Very focused and won’t give up
B) Ready to take a nap
C) Not hungry
12. If someone is a “copycat,” what are they doing?
A) Telling others what to do
B) Making up new ideas
C) Copying someone else
13. “Cool cat” means someone is…
A) Really cold
B) Calm and confident
C) Loves cats
Answer Key
- B) Tell a secret
- B) They’re in trouble
- C) It’s raining a lot
- B) To argue a lot
- C) Leave old problems alone
- C) Young or early love
- B) Stop being too nosy
- B) Working very hard
- C) They’re silent or shy
- C) It’s hard to change habits
- A) Very focused and won’t give up
- C) Copying someone else
- B) Calm and confident
Wrapping Up
Idioms about pets help us explain feelings or actions in fun ways. They use words about cats, dogs, and other animals we know well. Learning these phrases helps you sound more natural when you talk to others.
Next time you hear someone say “he’s in the doghouse” or “let the cat out of the bag,” you’ll understand what they mean. Try using one in your own sentence and see how it adds fun to your words!
