Idioms about Birds: Part 2

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This week we’re looking at thirty more idioms about birds. Click here to learn the thirty idioms we looked at last week.

night owl – someone who stays up late, someone who functions better at night
pecking order – the social hierarchy
rare bird – an unusual person
sitting duck – an easy target, someone who is vulnerable to target
spring chicken – a young person
swan song – a final work/performance before retirement/death
to chicken out – to opt out of doing something due to being frightened
to clip someone’s wings – to limit someone’s control/freedom
to count your chickens before they’re hatched – to depend on/make plans for something that you have not yet received/that has not yet been confirmed
to eat crow – to be humiliated, to admit defeat, to admit you are mistaken
to eat like a bird – to eat very little
to fly the coop – to escape
to get your ducks in a row – to put your affairs in order
to kill the goose that lays the golden egg – to destroy a valuable source of income
to kill two birds with one stone – to accomplish two objectives at once
to look like the cat that swallowed the canary – to look very pleased/satisfied with oneself
to play chicken – to play a game in which the first person to withdraw from a frightening or dangerous situation loses
to quit cold turkey – to abruptly and completely give something up
to ruffle someone’s feathers – to annoy or upset someone
to rule the roost – to be in charge
to run around like a chicken with its head cut off – to run around frantically and aimlessly
to spread your wings – to become independent/to pursue new interests and activities
to take someone under your wing – to take someone into your protective care, to take someone under your guidance
to talk turkey – to discuss something frankly
to try out your wings – to independently do something that you have recently learned/received a qualification in
to watch someone/something like a hawk – to watch someone/something very closely
to wing it – to improvise
ugly duckling – someone who is considered ugly or plain as a child but grows up to be beautiful
what’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander – what is good/appropriate in one case is also good/appropriate in the other case in question
wild goose chase – a hopeless search for something that is likely unattainable

If you enjoyed this post, why not check out our other articles about idioms?

04 Mar 2018
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Idioms about Birds: Part 2

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