Animal Metaphors and animal-behavior metaphors.
- Animal metaphors, based on animal behavior, are common in many
languages. Here are some from English:
- That was kind of 'catty' of you.
- The problem has been dogging us all week.
- Don't be cowed by his bullying.
- The stock market has ended its bullish streak, and is now
going into bear mode.
- (And note the various metaphors and extended metaphors in this
headline:) 'Investors, mauled by bear market, come clawing after their
brokers.'
- Stop horsing around; we've got work to do.
- I really don't have patience for any monkey business.
- Stop
badgering me; you've been bugging me all day
about that.
- After that faux pas, he acted really kind of
sheepish.
- He didn't want to tell me, but I ferreted it out.
- He's been beavering away all week on his little
project.
- She's so mousy, I hardly realized she was in the room.
- He ratted on her and now her goose is cooked.
