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Cry wolf
To cry wolf means to raise a false alarm too often. When real trouble comes, people may not believe you. This phrase comes from a story where a shepherd called the villagers out because a wolf came for the sheep so many times in a row that the villagers eventually stopped coming. Then a wolf did come for the sheep and nobody would help the shepherd.He cried wolf so many times that no one listened.
Curiosity killed the cat
Curiosity killed the cat is a warning that being too curious about something can lead to trouble or danger. This idiom is used to warn people that asking too many questions or investigating things that are not your business may cause problems for you.The saying appeared in English in the early 1900s. Cats are often used in stories as curious animals that explore everything around them, which made them a natural symbol for the risks of too much curiosity.
He knew he should not open the mysterious box, but curiosity killed the cat.
Dark horse
The idiom dark horse means a ordinary seeming person or thing that is not expected to succeed, but surprises everyone by doing very well.The saying comes from horse racing, where an unknown horse could unexpectedly win.
She was a dark horse and ended up winning the contest.
Deer in headlights
Acting like a deer in headlights describes someone who looks frozen, shocked, or confused when something sudden happens. The person may stare and not react right away.This expression comes from how a deer sometimes stops and stares when bright car headlights shine on it at night. The animal can become still and unsure of what to do.
When the teacher asked him a question he did not expect, he just stood there like a deer in headlights.
Different kettle of fish
A different kettle of fish means a completely different situation or subject from the one being discussed before. People use this idiom when something changes the topic or introduces a new and separate issue.The expression comes from older British cooking terms where a kettle meant a pot used for boiling fish. Talking about a different kettle of fish meant dealing with an entirely different dish.
Fixing a small leak is one thing, but rebuilding the whole roof is a different kettle of fish.
Dog and pony show
The idiom dog and pony show means a showy event meant to impress people, sometimes without much real substance.The phrase comes from traveling entertainment shows in the late 1800s that featured trained dogs and ponies doing tricks for crowds.
The meeting felt like a dog and pony show with lots of flashy slides.
Dog eat dog
The phrase dog eat dog describes a situation where people compete fiercely. Everyone looks out for themselves and doesn't care about the people they are competing against. It suggests a tough environment where winning matters the most.The phrase comes from an old Latin saying dog does not eat dog, which meant that people in the same group would not harm each other, but the modern expression has evolved to mean the opposite.
It can be dog eat dog in some industries.
Don't beat a dead horse
To beat a dead horse means to keep talking about a problem or trying to change something even though nothing more can be done. It describes wasting time and effort on something that is already finished or decided.The idiom dates back to the time before cars, when horses were used to move things around. It comes from the image of a working horse that has already died and cannot move anymore. Hitting it would not make it work again, so the effort would be pointless.
We've already decided on the plan, so there's no point beating a dead horse.
Don't bite the hand that feeds you
The saying don't bite the hand that feeds you means you should not hurt or insult someone who helps you. If you do, you might lose their support.The idiom comes from the literal image of an animal biting the hand of the person who is giving it food.
Be polite to your coach - don't bite the hand that feeds you.
Don't count your chickens before they hatch
The phrase don't count your chickens before they hatch means you should not assume success too early. Plans can change, and results are not certain yet. The saying comes from farming, where out of a clutch of eggs, not every one hatches.She was celebrating already, but I said don't count your chickens before they hatch.