All bark and no bite – full of big talk but lacking action, power, or substance
Our boss likes to talk, but he is all bark and no bite, so nothing ever changes.
Bark is worse than his or her bite´- someone seems much more unpleasant or hostile than they really are
I know she looks quite scary but her bark is worse than her bite.
Barking up the wrong tree – to have completely misunderstood something or are totally wrong
I never agreed to help you. You really are barking up the wrong tree.
Dog-eat-dog – a situation or something in which there is fierce, ruthless competition
I quit my job in sales. It really was a dog-eat-dog environment.
Every dog has its day – everyone will have good luck or success at some point in their lives
I can’t believe I won in the lottery, but I suppose every dog has its day.
Every man and his dog – exaggerated way to express a large number or a majority of people
We arrived at the supermarket early, but every man and his dog were already there.
Go see a man about a dog – a euphemistic way to apologise for one’s imminent departure or absence
I would love to stay and have another drink, but I have to go see a man about a dog.
Go to the dogs – something becomes ruined; to change to a much worse condition
This pub used to be fashionable, but it has really gone to the dogs.
Every dog has its day – everyone will have good luck or success at some point in their lives
I can’t believe I won in the lottery, but I suppose every dog has its day.
Every man and his dog – exaggerated way to express a large number or a majority of people
We arrived at the supermarket early, but every man and his dog were already there.
Go see a man about a dog – a euphemistic way to apologise for one’s imminent departure or absence
I would love to stay and have another drink, but I have to go see a man about a dog.
Go to the dogs – something becomes ruined; to change to a much worse condition
This pub used to be fashionable, but it has really gone to the dogs.
Have (or not) a dog in the fight – to have an interest in a conflict or competition
My team was knocked out, so I no longer have a dog in the fight.
It’s a dog’s life – a very unhappy and unpleasant life
Too much work and no holiday. It really is a dog’s life.
Let sleeping dogs lie – to ignore a problem because trying to deal with it could cause an even more difficult situation
He’s never going to change his mind. You should just let sleeping dogs lie.
Puppy dog eyes – a begging or pleading look
How could I refuse her request to buy an ice cream, with those puppy dog eyes?
Tail that wags the dog – to divert attention from something that is bad
The football trainer’s tail wags the dog, because his team is playing so badly.
You can’t teach an old dog new tricks – you cannot make people change their ways
Using the computer would be easier, but you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
Raining cats and dogs – very heavy rain
We wanted to go to the park, but it has been raining cats and dogs all day.
Fight like cats and dogs – to fight or argue a lot or in a very forceful and angry way
We have twin boys who fight like cats and dogs most of the time.
Can’t swing a cat – very little space, cramped quarters
My daughter’s new flat is so small, you can’t swing a cat in it.
Cat fight – a fight between women
Those girls were very aggressive. I thought there was going to be a cat fight.
Cat has nine lives – the ability to endure, continue, or survive despite a near encounter with death or disaster
That was close to being a serious crash, but they say that every cat has nine lives.
Cat in hell’s chance – no chance at all, zero possibility
Our team is playing against the champions. We’ve got a cat in hell’s chance of winning.
Cat nap – a sleep (usually not in bed) for a short period of time
I just had a short cat nap on the sofa, and now I feel better.
Cat on a hot tin roof – unable to stay still or concentrate; anxious
My son is waiting for his exam results and he’s like a cat on a hot tin roof.
Cool cat – a person who is extremely fashionably
She’s such a cool cat. Only she could look fashionable wearing those clothes.
Curiosity killed the cat – used to warn someone not to ask too many questions about something
I’m not telling you, so don’t ask. Don’t you know that curiosity killed the cat?
Fat cat – a wealthy and powerful person, especially a business person or politician
Look at that fat cat driving in his big car and we can’t even afford to buy a bicycle.
Has the cat got your tongue? – used to enquire why someone is not saying anything
Come and tell me about your new girlfriend, or has the cat got your tongue?
Like the cat that got the cream – someone who looks very proud or satisfied about something he or she has done
You are looking very pleased with yourself, like the cat that got the cream.
Playing cat and mouse – a contrived action involving constant pursuit, near captures, and repeated escapes
Buying and selling houses is like playing cat and mouse. It’s just a game.
Put the cat among the pigeons – to do something that causes trouble or makes a lot of people angry
I think mentioning that her ex has remarried, has really put the cat among the pigeons.
The cat is out of the bag – to reveal previously hidden or unknown facts
The cat is out of the bag. Mike will be our new boss.
The cat’s whiskers – used to say that something is very appealing, or better than everything else
This new car polish really is the cat’s whiskers. I’ve never used a better product.
There’s more than one way to skin a cat – there are many ways to do something or to achieve a goal
If you fail, try again. There is more than one way to skin a cat you know.
Click on the image to watch a video using cats and dogs idioms
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