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Fun Trivia: A : Animals in Idiom

Special Sub-Topic: Animal Talk 2


Which insect is a part of an expression that describes a part of someone's anatomy?

    wasp. If someone has a wasp waist it means that they have a very small or narrow waist. Many women would consider this a compliment. "The wasp-waisted waitress could carry much more than one might think."

What is the animal word that means to defeat someone in a game or competition?
    skunk. The term "skunk" especially means to defeat someone so thoroughly that they do not score any points at all. "The volleyball team enjoyed a stunning victory, skunking the opposing team in three straight games."

If someone is being called "a chicken" what type of behavior is that person being accused of exhibiting?
    cowardly. Unfortunately it's a common childhood expression used to taunt those who are afraid to do something. Adults use it as well, sometimes in jest. "Guy couldn't forget what his classmates had said at the pool, 'Come on! Jump in the water! Are you chicken?'"

What does the expression "to get one's goat" mean?
    to anger or annoy someone. The origin of this expression actually relates to taking a goat from someone else. Years ago goats were sometimes used to calm a racehorse prior to a race. Competitors sometimes took the goat from the stall of a competitor's horse in order to upset the horse. (from Scholastic Dictionary of Idioms by Marvin Terban). All three of the incorrect answers might "get someone's goat", but the definition is broader than any of these. "I knew it would get his goat if we told Cal's mom about his speeding ticket before he got home."

To have a "bird's-eye view" of something means:
    to see something at a distance and from above. A bird's-eye view of some things can give one a very good perspective. Football games, entire cities, snow-covered mountains, African savannahs and beautiful waterfalls are just a few things that are often best viewed this way. "This blimp is a good ride and we are fortunate to have a bird's-eye view of the Super Bowl this year."

Which of the following words would be used to say that something is shabby?
    flea-bitten. The word flea is also used in the term flea market. While the origin in both cases may have originally been negative, flea markets are generally considered good places to get good bargains. "He was wearing a flea-bitten jacket when we found him in the forest."

Which animal would be used in an expression to describe good vision?
    eagle. Birds of prey, eagles hunt from the sky and their keen eyesight is instrumental in this process. "The policeman's eagle-eyed vision helped him see the missing glove in the moonlight."

What animal word is often used in an idiom when playing games that involve dice?
    snake. When both dice have one spot showing one has rolled snake eyes. "Gwen was excited to see that she had rolled snake eyes; there were just two spaces left on the board so she won the game."

What animal term is used to refer to someone who likes to stay up late at night?
    night owl. Owls are nocturnal birds thus the term night owl to describe someone who likes to stay up late. "Slim Billy was a night owl, and being married to Eva Sue, an early riser, proved to be a real problem."

What animal term is used to refer to something that is useless, unwanted or a burden to keep?
    white elephant. The origin of this expression is thought to go back to an incident in Thailand (when it was called Siam)in which the king gave a white elephant to another gentleman. It was an expensive gift to care for and could not be disposed of because it was from the king. Therefore, it became a burden and was unwanted. White elephant gift exchanges involve giving away items that you have, but no longer use or want. "Aunt Gladis was excited about the annual white elephant gift exchange at the sewing bee because she was going to get rid of thermal underwear."


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