S
SADDLE
bring someone's saddle home
to do to someone that which someone has done to you Source: Bertram, Anne (Pig's Eye)
have a burr under one's saddle
to be irritated by something Source: Bertram, Anne (Pig's Eye)
SHARK
card-shark
A person who pretends they don't know how to play cards until they play for money, and then they play well and take all the profits.
SHEEP
a wolf in sheep's clothing
Getting admission under false pretenses. Source: Funk, Charles
black sheep of the family
most troublesome member of the family Source: Bertram, Anne (Pig's Eye)
one might as well be hanged for a sheep as for a lamb
If you have decided to do something that will have unpleasant consequences, do it to the largest degree possible, so that you will feel the punishment was worth it. Source: Bertram, Anne (Bowl of Cherries)
separate the sheep from the goats
To distinguish the good from the bad. Source: Bertram, Anne (Bowl of Cherries)
SKUNK
skunk egg
an onion Source: Bertram, Anne (Pig's Eye)
as drunk as a skunk *
describes someone who is falling-down drunk, completely intoxicated * skunks are not known to imbibe; the meaning is only in the rhyme
(this phrase is an alliteration)
Source: indiana.edu
SNAIL
a snail's pace
Slow. Source: Big List of Cliches
SNAKE
snake in the grass
There is trouble. Source: Funk, Charles
if it was a snake it would have bit you
very close Source: Bertram, Anne (Pig's Eye)
mad as a struck snake
cruel and angry Source: Bertram, Anne (Pig's Eye)
to nourish a snake in one's bosom
From the Aesop story, "The Farmer and the Snake." Source: Funk, Charles
once a snake, always a snake
people do not change
slippery as a snake
Tricky – unable to trust.
SWAN
graceful as a swan
Graceful. Source: Bertram, Anne (Bowl of Cherries)
I swan
what a surprise Source: Bertram, Anne (Pig's Eye)
I'll Swan
"I've never heard anyone under the age of 60 use this expression, but it conveys surprise and disbelief." Source: Dianna Ly
T
TAIL
the tail wagging the dog
Source: Wag the Dog -- the movie
two shakes of a lamb’s tail
Very fast. Source: Funk, Charles
have a bear by the tail
to have a very difficult problem to solve Source: Bertram, Anne (Pig's Eye)
bright-eyed and bushy-tailed
eager and alert Source: Bertram, Anne (Pig's Eye)
with the tail between the legs
Thoroughly coward. Source: Funk, Charles
better be the head of a dog then the tail of a lion
Source: Bertram, Anne (Bowl of Cherries)
TICK
full as a tick
well-fed Source: Bertram, Anne (Pig's Eye)
ticked off
a little upset, annoyed Source: Wayne Magnuson
TIGER
he who rides a tiger is afraid to dismount
Source: Bertram, Anne (Bowl of Cherries)
tiger
a dynamic, forceful, or cruel person Source: wordreference.com, The Collins English Dictionary
have a tiger by the tail
Informal. to find oneself in a situation that has turned out to be much more difficult to control than one had expected. Source: wordreference.com, The Collins English Dictionary
TOAD
ugly as a toad
Ugly. Source: Bertram, Anne (Bowl of Cherries)
as calm as a toad in the sun
very calm and content Source: Bertram, Anne (Pig's Eye)
toad sticker
a short knife Source: Bertram, Anne (Pig's Eye)
biggest frog (toad) in the puddle
The person of most importance in any small community or group. Source: Funk, Charles
TURKEY
to talk turkey
To talk straight or be honest.
as poor as Job's turkey
very poor Source: Bertram, Anne (Pig's Eye)
turkey
Slang, chiefly US and Canadian. a thing or person that fails; dud. Source: wordreference.com, The Collins English Dictionary
freckled as a turkey egg
covered with freckles Source: Bertram, Anne (Pig's Eye)
turkey
Slang, chiefly US and Canadian. a stupid, incompetent, or unappealing person Source: wordreference.com, The Collins English Dictionary
Stop cold turkey.
Source: Visitor Mathews, Brett
W
WEASEL
weasel words
Words that weaken or detract from the effectiveness or force of another word or expression. Source: Funk, Charles
weasel
Informal. a sly or treacherous person Source: wordreference.com, The Collins English Dictionary
weasel
Informal. 1. to go back on a commitment
2. to evade a responsibility, esp in a despicable manner
Source: wordreference.com, The Collins English Dictionary
WING
to take under one's wing
to protect, to mentor.
on a wing and a prayer
with only the slightest hope of succeeding Source: wordreference.com, The Collins English Dictionary
on the wing
flying Source: wordreference.com, The Collins English Dictionary
clip (someone's) wings
to restrict (someone's) freedom Source: wordreference.com, The Collins English Dictionary
wing it
Informal. to accomplish or perform something without full preparation or knowledge; improvise Source: wordreference.com, The Collins English Dictionary
WOLF
a growing youth has a wolf in his belly
Young people who are growing fast are hungry all of the time. Source: Bertram, Anne (Bowl of Cherries)
wolf
a voracious, grabbing, or fiercely cruel person or thing Source: wordreference.com, The Collins English Dictionary
wolf
a man who habitually tries to seduce women Source: wordreference.com, The Collins English Dictionary
keep the wolf from the door
to ward off starvation or privation Source: wordreference.com, The Collins English Dictionary
lone wolf
a person or animal who prefers to be alone Source: wordreference.com, The Collins English Dictionary
throw to the wolves
to abandon or deliver to destruction Source: wordreference.com, The Collins English Dictionary
to wolf down
to gulp Source: wordreference.com, The Collins English Dictionary
a wolf in sheep's clothing
Getting admission under false pretenses. Source: Funk, Charles
when the wolf comes in the door love creeps out the window
If a couple gets married because they are in love, but they do not have any money, they will stop loving each other when the money runs out. Source: Bertram, Anne (Bowl of Cherries)
to cry wolf
Taken from the Aesop Fable, "The Shepherd-boy and the Wolf."
WOOL
to pull the wool over one's eyes
To hoodwink.
WORM
even the worm will turn
Even a meek person will become angry if you abuse him or her too much. Source: Bertram, Anne (Bowl of Cherries)
book worm
one who reads a lot Source: Wayne Magnuson
can of worms
a controversial issue, an old problem Source: Wayne Magnuson
the early bird catches the worm
Don't procrastinate (unless maybe you’re the worm.)
worm
a wretched or spineless person Source: wordreference.com, The Collins English Dictionary
worm
a program that duplicates itself many times in a network and prevents its destruction Source: wordreference.com, The Collins English Dictionary
