Illustrative Idioms

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Idiom:- ants in one's pants :

Meaning:- unable to sit still or remain calm out of nervousness or excitement

Sentence:- Lisa had ants in her pants the day before her interview.

Idiom:- cat nap

Meaning:- a short sleep

Sentence:- I'm going to have a cat nap while you're cooking dinner.

Idiom:- monkey see, monkey do

Meanings:- silly/unintelligent people tend to copy each other's actions

Sentence:- Our one-year-old is saying bad words now. I told my husband, "Monkey see, monkey do!"

(Don’t) Have a Cow

Meaning: To get upset, angry (usually used in the negative)

Example: Don’t have a cow, man! I was just making a suggestion.

(The) Straw That Broke the Camel’s Back

Meaning: A single small thing that exceeds a limit of patience

Example: I’ve put up with Eduardo for a long time, but when he criticized the color of my car, that was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

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Idiom:- born with a silver spoon in one's mouth

Meaning:- born into a rich family

Sentence:- Keiko hasn't worked a day in her life. She was born with a silver spoon in her mouth.

Idiom:- until the cows come home

Meaning:- for a very long time

Sentence:-I could eat pizza and ice cream until the cows come home.

Bee in one’s bonnet

Meaning: Someone who has a bee in their bonnet has an idea that constantly occupies their thoughts.

Example: Ever since the blizzard last year, dad has had a bee in his bonnet about moving to a warmer climate.

Don’t Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth

Meaning: Do not question the value of a gift. The expression comes from the practice of determining the age and health of a horse by looking at its teeth.

Example: It was nice of him to give you the ring. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.