10 of the Weirdest Idioms Examples That Will Make You Laugh
Idioms are fun, colorful phrases that make English more interesting, but some of them sound really strange! Imagine hearing “the cat’s got your tongue” or “beat around the bush” for the first time. What does it mean? Why are cats, bushes, and random objects part of everyday phrases?
The truth is, idioms don’t always make sense, but learning them will help you understand English better and sound more like a native speaker. Today, we’ve gathered 10 of the weirdest idioms examples you’ll come across. You might laugh, you might scratch your head, but you’ll definitely learn something new!
Strange Idioms Examples
1. The Cat’s Got Your Tongue
Meaning: You are speechless or don’t know what to say.
Why it’s weird: Why would a cat steal someone’s tongue? It sounds bizarre, but this idiom is used often when someone is quiet.
Examples:
- Why are you so quiet? Has the cat got your tongue?
- I asked her about her plans, but she didn’t answer. Looks like the cat’s got her tongue.
- He didn’t reply when the teacher asked him. The cat must have got his tongue.
2. To Have Other Fish to Fry
Meaning: To have more important things to do.
Why it’s weird: What’s so important about frying fish? This idiom sounds funny but means you’re busy with something else.
Examples:
- I can’t join the meeting right now – I’ve got other fish to fry.
- She didn’t stay at the party long. She said she had other fish to fry.
- Don’t worry about that problem; we’ve got bigger fish to fry.
3. To Be a Guinea Pig
Meaning: To be the first person to try something new or experimental.
Why it’s weird: Guinea pigs are small animals often used in experiments. This idiom compares someone to a test subject!
Examples:
- I don’t want to be a guinea pig for your cooking experiment.
- They used me as a guinea pig to test the new software.
- He volunteered to be a guinea pig for the science project.
4. To Kick the Bucket
Meaning: To die.
Why it’s weird: “Kicking a bucket” doesn’t seem related to death at all, but it’s a very old idiom used to talk about this in a light or joking way.
Examples:
- My grandfather used to say, “I’m not ready to kick the bucket yet!”
- In the movie, the old man kicked the bucket after one last adventure.
- Let’s finish our bucket list before we kick the bucket.
5. To Hit the Nail on the Head
Meaning: To describe something perfectly or exactly.
Why it’s weird: It sounds like someone is fixing something, but it’s about getting a point exactly right.
Examples:
- Your answer is correct – you really hit the nail on the head.
- She hit the nail on the head when she said I need more practice.
- The teacher said his essay hit the nail on the head.
6. To Have a Bee in Your Bonnet
Meaning: To be obsessed with an idea or issue.
Why it’s weird: Imagine a bee buzzing around in your hat—who wouldn’t be distracted?
Examples:
- He’s got a bee in his bonnet about organizing his desk perfectly.
- She’s had a bee in her bonnet about learning French for months.
- Don’t worry so much – you’ve got a bee in your bonnet over nothing.
7. To Butter Someone Up
Meaning: To flatter or be nice to someone in order to get something in return.
Why it’s weird: Putting butter on someone? That doesn’t sound polite! But this idiom is all about being overly kind.
Examples:
- He’s just buttering you up so you’ll help him later.
- She tried to butter up her boss by complimenting his new car.
- Stop buttering me up and tell me what you want!
8. To Bark Up the Wrong Tree
Meaning: To accuse the wrong person or go after the wrong idea.
Why it’s weird: This idiom comes from hunting dogs barking at the wrong tree, where there’s no animal to chase.
Examples:
- If you think I took your book, you’re barking up the wrong tree.
- The police were barking up the wrong tree when they questioned the wrong suspect.
- I think you’re barking up the wrong tree with that solution.
9. When Pigs Fly
Meaning: Something that will never happen.
Why it’s weird: Pigs can’t fly! That’s why it’s used to talk about impossible things.
Examples:
- He’ll clean his room? Yeah, right – when pigs fly!
- You think I’ll stop eating chocolate? That’ll happen when pigs fly.
- She said she’d be on time, but that’ll happen when pigs fly.
10. To Not Have a Leg to Stand On
Meaning: To have no support or proof for your argument.
Why it’s weird: Imagine someone trying to stand without any legs – it’s an odd but funny image.
Examples:
- Without evidence, you don’t have a leg to stand on in court.
- He said I broke the rules, but he doesn’t have a leg to stand on.
- She didn’t have a leg to stand on when her excuse fell apart.
Why Learn These Weird Idioms Examples?
Idioms may sound strange, but native speakers use them all the time. If you learn these idioms examples, you’ll:
- Understand conversations, movies, and books better.
- Sound more natural when speaking English.
- Add fun and humor to your sentences.
The key is to practice using idioms in everyday conversations. Start with one or two idioms, and soon you’ll feel confident using them!
Practice Speaking with ELSA Speak
Want to sound more natural when using these weird idioms? Our app ELSA Speak can help! With ELSA, you’ll practice pronunciation and fluency in a fun way. The app gives you feedback on your speech, so you can say idioms clearly and confidently.
Download ELSA Speak today and take the next step in your English learning journey. Practice makes perfect, and you’ll be using idioms like a pro!
Learn more about idioms here!
