12 Fun and Useful ANIMAL IDIOMS in English.

The BEST animal idioms that English speakers REALLY use.

Explanations + Extra Activities

Idioms Explained in Simple English

The black sheep of the family
Someone who is different from the rest of the family, often in a negative way.
Example: “Everyone in the family is a doctor, but Tom is the black sheep because he’s an artist.”
Like a dog with a bone
When someone refuses to let go of something and keeps focusing on it, even if others think they should stop.
Example: “She’s like a dog with a bone and won’t stop talking about her new business idea.”
Don’t put the cart before the horse
Don’t do things in the wrong order; do first things first.
Example: “You’re planning your vacation before even getting a job – don’t put the cart before the horse.”
A wolf in sheep’s clothing
Someone who seems harmless but is actually dangerous or dishonest.
Example: “He seems friendly, but he’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing and has hurt people in the past.”
A little bird told me
When someone shares a secret source of information without revealing who it was.
Example: “A little bird told me you got a promotion – congratulations!”
When pigs fly
Used to say that something is impossible or very unlikely to happen.
Example: “He’ll apologize when pigs fly – he never admits he’s wrong.”
To be a chicken
To be scared or not brave.
Example: “He was too chicken to ask her out on a date.”
Like a bull in a china shop
Acting without thinking or being clumsy in a sensitive situation.
Example: “He’s like a bull in a china shop, always breaking things by accident.”
The elephant in the room
A big, obvious problem that people avoid talking about.
Example: “We need to address the elephant in the room and talk about the budget cuts.”
To kill two birds with one stone
To accomplish two things with a single action.
Example: “By working from home, she saves on travel time and can also spend more time with her kids – killing two birds with one stone.”
A guinea pig
Someone who is used to test a new idea or product.
Example: “They used her as a guinea pig for the new training program.”
To be the GOAT (Greatest of All Time)
Someone who is considered the best in their field or activity.
Example: “Many people say Serena Williams is the GOAT of women’s tennis.”

Extra practice!

Animal Idioms Quiz

Question 1:
Which sentence uses “the black sheep of the family” correctly?

A) Sarah is the black sheep of the family because she loves all animals.
B) Since everyone in her family loves hiking, she’s considered the black sheep because she prefers staying indoors.
C) He’s the black sheep because he enjoys working hard.
D) They call him the black sheep because he likes the color black.

Question 2:
Choose the sentence that uses “like a dog with a bone” correctly.

A) She’s like a dog with a bone and can’t stop focusing on her work project.
B) After he finished the book, he put it down like a dog with a bone.
C) She’s as quiet as a dog with a bone in her corner.
D) He forgot about it as soon as he left, like a dog with a bone.

Question 3:
Select the correct sentence for “don’t put the cart before the horse.”

A) She likes to put the cart before the horse when she’s in a hurry.
B) He’s planning his wedding before proposing – don’t put the cart before the horse!
C) Always put the cart before the horse when it’s time to start a project.
D) Putting the cart before the horse is a good strategy for success.

Question 4:
Pick the sentence where “a wolf in sheep’s clothing” is used correctly.

A) She’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing because she owns a farm.
B) I saw a wolf in sheep’s clothing on the news.
C) He’s wearing a wolf in sheep’s clothing at the costume party.
D) That friendly boss turned out to be a wolf in sheep’s clothing, treating staff poorly.

Question 5:
Which sentence uses “a little bird told me” correctly?

A) A little bird told me to eat more fruits and vegetables.
B) A little bird told me you’re planning a surprise party!
C) She has a little bird, so she always tells me the latest gossip.
D) He trained a little bird to deliver messages.

Question 6:
Choose the sentence that uses “when pigs fly” correctly.

A) She’ll be on time to work when pigs fly – she’s always late!
B) I see pigs flying on the farm all the time.
C) When pigs fly, it rains.
D) Pigs can fly when they are really happy.

Question 7:
Select the correct sentence for “to be a chicken.”

A) He’s a chicken because he loves farm animals.
B) She’s a chicken when she walks home late at night.
C) He’s too much of a chicken to go on the rollercoaster.
D) She’s a chicken because she eats vegetables.

Question 8:
Pick the sentence where “like a bull in a china shop” is used correctly.

A) She’s like a bull in a china shop, breaking everything in sight.
B) He’s as calm as a bull in a china shop.
C) The bull in the china shop was small and friendly.
D) They treat the china shop like a bull treats a ring.

Question 9:
Which sentence uses “the elephant in the room” correctly?

A) The meeting was quiet, with an elephant in the room.
B) He brought an elephant to the room to celebrate.
C) She had a pet elephant in the room.
D) The argument was the elephant in the room, but no one mentioned it.

Question 10:
Choose the sentence that uses “to kill two birds with one stone” correctly.

A) By shopping online, she kills two birds with one stone: saves time and money.
B) He likes to hunt, so he always kills two birds with one stone.
C) She used one stone to kill two birds in the game.
D) He has a collection of stones for bird-watching.

Question 11:
Select the correct sentence for “a guinea pig.”

A) He volunteered to be the guinea pig for the new project.
B) She keeps a guinea pig in her purse.
C) The school bought a guinea pig for the science class.
D) He became a guinea pig by moving to a new town.

Question 12:
Pick the sentence where “to be the GOAT” is used correctly.

A) He bought a goat to celebrate his promotion.
B) She found a goat on her way to school.
C) He’s the GOAT of his soccer team, scoring the most goals.
D) She thinks goats are friendly animals.

Answer Key

B) Since everyone in her family loves hiking, she’s considered the black sheep because she prefers staying indoors.
A) She’s like a dog with a bone and can’t stop focusing on her work project.
B) He’s planning his wedding before proposing – don’t put the cart before the horse!
D) That friendly boss turned out to be a wolf in sheep’s clothing, treating staff poorly.
B) A little bird told me you’re planning a surprise party!
A) She’ll be on time to work when pigs fly – she’s always late!
C) He’s too much of a chicken to go on the rollercoaster.
A) She’s like a bull in a china shop, breaking everything in sight.
D) The argument was the elephant in the room, but no one mentioned it.
A) By shopping online, she kills two birds with one stone: saves time and money.
A) He volunteered to be the guinea pig for the new project.
C) He’s the GOAT of his soccer team, scoring the most goals.

Animal Idioms Quiz: Choose the Correct Reply

Question 1:
Person A: “I told him he’s wrong, but he keeps bringing it up.”
Person B:

A) “He’s like a dog with a bone.”
B) “He’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
C) “He’s a chicken.”
D) “He’s the GOAT when it comes to being wrong.”

Question 2:
Person A: “I heard you’re booking a vacation for next year without having saved money!”
Person B:

A) “Maybe I’m the black sheep of the family.”
B) “Oh, don’t worry – I won’t put the cart before the horse.”
C) “I’ll be like a bull in a china shop.”
D) “I’m like a dog with a bone.”

Question 3:
Person A: “He didn’t go on the rollercoaster. Is he scared?”
Person B:

A) “Yes, he’s a chicken.”
B) “Yes, he’s the GOAT.”
C) “No, he’s the black sheep.”
D) “No, he’s the elephant in the room.”

Question 4:
Person A: “Everyone thought she was so nice, but she betrayed her friend.”
Person B:

A) “She’s the GOAT of friendship.”
B) “Yeah, she’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
C) “She’s definitely the black sheep.”
D) “She’s like a dog with a bone about it.”

Question 5:
Person A: “She just won’t let go of that argument, will she?”
Person B:

A) “No, she’s like a bull in a china shop.”
B) “She’s a little bird, always singing.”
C) “Yeah, she’s like a dog with a bone about it.”
D) “She’s definitely the black sheep for doing that.”

Question 6:
Person A: “Do you think he’ll ever apologize for his rude behavior?”
Person B:

A) “Yeah, when pigs fly!”
B) “He’s a little bird.”
C) “It’s the elephant in the room.”
D) “He’s the GOAT of being polite.”

Question 7:
Person A: “You should really try to be more like the rest of us and go to medical school.”
Person B:

A) “I’ll kill two birds with one stone and join art and medical school.”
B) “I’ll be a chicken and stay away from school.”
C) “I’m the GOAT, I can do both!”
D) “I’ll always be the black sheep of the family. I love art, not medicine.”

Question 8:
Person A: “I heard he was fired for lying to his boss!”
Person B:

A) “He’s like a bull in a china shop.”
B) “Turns out he was a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
C) “When pigs fly, he’ll change.”
D) “He’s the black sheep.”

Question 9:
Person A: “Wow, you already knew about the party!”
Person B:

A) “A little bird told me.”
B) “I’m like a dog with a bone about parties.”
C) “I’ll be the black sheep if I tell you.”
D) “I’m a guinea pig in the planning.”

Question 10:
Person A: “I heard you already decorated the house, but you haven’t even moved in!”
Person B:

A) “A little bird told me to.”
B) “I’m the black sheep of the family for that.”
C) “Maybe I’m putting the cart before the horse.”
D) “I’m killing two birds with one stone.”

Question 11:
Person A: “He backed out of the scary movie night at the last minute.”
Person B:

A) “He’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
B) “He’s a chicken.”
C) “He’s a guinea pig.”
D) “He’s the GOAT.”

Question 12:
Person A: “She was so clumsy at the art exhibit, she almost broke a statue!”
Person B:

A) “She’s the black sheep for doing that.”
B) “She’s like a bull in a china shop.”
C) “She’s the GOAT of art.”
D) “A little bird told me she’s always careful.”

Question 13:
Person A: “You’re choosing wedding decorations and you haven’t even proposed yet!”
Person B:

A) “I guess I’m putting the cart before the horse.”
B) “Maybe I’ll be the black sheep of the family.”
C) “I’m the GOAT of wedding planning.”
D) “I’ll kill two birds with one stone and propose next week.”

Question 14:
Person A: “I heard you were one of the first people to try out that new training program!”
Person B:

A) “Yes, I was the black sheep of the group.”
B) “Yes, I was the guinea pig for it.”
C) “Yes, I’m the GOAT for it.”
D) “Yes, when pigs fly.”

Question 15:
Person A: “That meeting was awkward – no one mentioned the budget cuts.”
Person B:

A) “Yes, it was the elephant in the room.”
B) “Yes, we killed two birds with one stone.”
C) “It was like a bull in a china shop.”
D) “A little bird told me about it.”

Question 16:
Person A: “I heard he quit smoking, so now he can save money and he’s much healthier.”
Person B:

A) “He’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
B) “Sounds like he’s the GOAT of quitting.”
C) “Sounds like a guinea pig experiment.”
D) “Sounds like he killed two birds with one stone.”

Question 17:
Person A: “How did you find out about the office changes before anyone else?”
Person B:

A) “A wolf in sheep’s clothing told me.”
B) “A little bird told me.”
C) “I’m the black sheep for knowing.”
D) “It’s the elephant in the room.”

Question 18:
Person A: “Will he ever take responsibility for his actions?”
Person B:

A) “When pigs fly!”
B) “He’s a guinea pig for apologies.”
C) “A little bird told me he would.”
D) “He’s the black sheep of the family.”

Question 19:
Person A: “Your brother is such a star athlete! How do you feel about that?”
Person B:

A) “I’m like a dog with a bone when it comes to sports.”
B) “He’s the guinea pig in the family, always trying new things.”
C) “I’ll always be the black sheep of the family, focusing on my art.”
D) “I’m the elephant in the room when we talk about sports.”

Question 20:
Person A: “How are you so good at tennis?”
Person B:

A) “I’m a guinea pig for tennis.”
B) “I’m the black sheep in tennis.”
C) “When pigs fly, I’ll be great.”
D) “They say I’m the GOAT.”

Question 21:
Person A: “They asked him to test out the new software.”
Person B:

A) “So he’s a guinea pig for it.”
B) “So he’s the GOAT for it.”
C) “So he’s a chicken for it.”
D) “So he’s the black sheep for it.”

Question 22:
Person A: “He managed to get his errands done and have lunch at the same time.”
Person B:

A) “He’s a guinea pig for errands.”
B) “He’s the elephant in the room.”
C) “He killed two birds with one stone.”
D) “He’s the black sheep of lunch.”

Question 23:
Person A: “They talked for an hour, but no one mentioned the layoffs.”
Person B:

A) “They’re like a bull in a china shop.”
B) “They’re the GOATs of layoffs.”
C) “A little bird told me.”
D) “It was the elephant in the room.”

Question 24:
Person A: “Do you think she’ll ever admit she was wrong?”
Person B:

A) “When pigs fly!”
B) “She’s the black sheep.”
C) “She’s the guinea pig.”
D) “A little bird told me so.”

Answer Key

A: “He’s like a dog with a bone.”
B: “Oh, don’t worry – I won’t put the cart before the horse.”
A: “Yes, he’s a chicken.”
B: “Yeah, she’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
C: “Yeah, she’s like a dog with a bone about it.”
A: “Yeah, when pigs fly!”
D: “I’ll always be the black sheep of the family. I love art, not medicine.”
B: “Turns out he was a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
A: “A little bird told me.”
C: “Maybe I’m putting the cart before the horse.”
B: “He’s a chicken.”
B: “She’s like a bull in a china shop.”
A: “I guess I’m putting the cart before the horse.”
B: “Yes, I was the guinea pig for it.”
A: “Yes, it was the elephant in the room.”
D: “Sounds like he killed two birds with one stone.”
B: “A little bird told me.”
A: “When pigs fly!”
C: “I’ll always be the black sheep of the family, focusing on my art.”
D: “They say I’m the GOAT.”
A: “So he’s a guinea pig for it.”
C: “He killed two birds with one stone.”
D: “It was the elephant in the room.”
A: “Yes, when pigs fly!”