1. If something, such as a bird, insect or bat, flutters about (or flutters around), it flies with quick and light movements of its wings. Examples of use: a) I love watching butterflies flutter around the flowers in my garden. b) Moths flutter around our outside light at night. c) He filmed the hummingbirds fluttering [...]
To squirrel away something (or squirrel something away) is to store something (especially money) in a safe or secret place so you can use it later. A squirrel is a tree-dwelling rodent with a long bushy tail, that eats mainly nuts, berries and seeds. Squirrels bury nuts and other food underground in autumn. During the [...]
A guinea pig is somebody or something that is used to test new ideas or products. Guinea pigs are small stout-bodied rodents. In the UK they are often kept as much-loved pets. Unfortunately, they are also often used in research labs for research and biological experiments, and this is the origin of this idiomatic expression. [...]
To horse about, or horse around, is to behave in a silly, rough or careless way. Informal English. horseplay (noun) – rough or boisterous play to horse about or horse around is to engage in horseplay Examples of use: 1. They were horsing around together in the snow; laughing and pushing each other [...]
A night owl is someone who likes to stay awake until late at night, or who works at night. Examples of use: 1. He's always been a night owl: when he was a child he often read until past midnight. 2. There were a few night owls sitting in the café, but most people [...]
To fish out something (or fish something out) is to pull someone or something out of water, or take something out of a bag, pocket or other container, especially after searching for it. Informal English. Examples of use: 1. He fished out his business card and handed it to me. 2. She fished out a [...]
If a criticism or warning is water off a duck's back (or like water off a duck's back) it has very little effect or makes no impression at all. Examples of use: 1. You can't hurt me with your insults: they're water off a duck's back. 2. I've warned him about getting into debt, but [...]
