People often use various idioms and phraseological units related to animals in conversations. This way, the speaker identifies a particular situation or another person with a particular animal. This article presents some phrases whose meanings are quite interesting to explore.
Like water off a duck's back
This expression has its roots in the distant past. Even in ancient times, healers, doctors, and caring parents would chant similar words while washing their children in the bathhouse, hoping to save them from all sorts of misfortunes and illnesses. People believed that such a charm would protect their child from any illness.
In this case, the comparison is specifically with the goose, as this bird's plumage is coated with a special oil. Water rolls off the feathers like oil or grease, without wetting them at all.
That is why the expression “like water off a duck’s back” is applied to those who don’t care about anything.
Like a cat and a dog
This phrase is used to describe people who live in hostility and discord with each other. The comparison to a cat and a dog is quite logical: in the animal kingdom, these animals are usually always in conflict with each other.
Like a chicken and an egg
The expression "Like a chicken and an egg" applies to a person who devotes too much attention, time and energy to some event or action.
It's important to understand what it means for a hen to lay an egg. Just before laying, the hen will cluck loudly and persistently. This is her way of letting everyone know she's ready and is concerned about her safety. Even if she's already laid an egg and another hen decides to chase her away from the nest, she'll start clucking loudly again, expressing her displeasure and apprehension. That's why the aforementioned phraseology is used to describe someone who's overly fussy over trifles.
Like spiders in a jar
The catchphrase "Like spiders in a jar" is used in conflict situations within a team or group of people. Disputes can arise for various reasons: envy, hatred, intrigue, gossip, or the desire to occupy a leadership position.
Spiders are predatory arthropods. They cannot coexist peacefully for long in a confined space. Soon, the predators will inevitably begin to feud, devouring each other. This will continue until the strongest remains. It's the same among humans—one always wins.
Like a fish in water
This is precisely how a fish is compared to someone who feels confident and comfortable in a given situation. Water is a natural home for a fish, where they feel at ease and at peace. Similarly, a confident person, acting at ease in certain circumstances, seems like a fish in water.
Decoy duck
This term is used for a decoy, a planted agent. The comparison to a duck is particularly relevant here. Hunters would place domesticated ducks on the water. The drakes would flock to the bird's call, and the hunter would begin shooting them from the bushes. A domestic decoy duck served as a kind of bait for the game.
Like a fifth leg for a dog
This is used to describe something unnecessary and superfluous. It can also be used about inappropriate people, likening them to a dog, which clearly doesn't need a fifth leg (paw). The animal naturally has four legs, and a fifth is no longer necessary.
Crocodile tears
This expression implies a person's insincere regret about something that happened. It's a feigned sob, a feigned and insincere cry.
The comparison to a predatory crocodile goes back to ancient times. People believed that while a crocodile was eating a person, it cried, but continued to devour its prey.
Chicken brains
The chicken has long been considered a stupid bird. Thus, the expression "chicken brain" is used to describe a dim-witted and unintelligent person.
Monkey's work
The expression "monkey work" applies to pointless labor. A person may perform work that yields no benefit whatsoever.
This phrase was used in I.A. Krylov's literary work "The Monkey." The monkey, having heard the plowman's praise and envious of him, began to roll a log. Her "work" yielded no useful results. Consequently, she received no praise, as a peasant. The monkey's labor was in vain.
