Bird Idioms

(Bird in a) Gilded (Golden) Cage

• Meaning: To live a luxurious life, but lack independence and freedom.
• Example: Jake was never happy in his golden cage.

A Home Bird

• Meaning: Someone who prefers to stay at home rather than going out.
• Example: My sister is a home bird. She rarely goes out on weekends.

A Rare Bird

• Meaning: An unusual or exceptional person or thing.
• Example: She’s a rare bird, a scientist who is also an accomplished musician.

A Little Bird Told Me

• Meaning: To have heard a secret from an unknown source.
• Example: A little bird told me that the company is going to lay off some employees.

Birds of A Feather

• Meaning: People who have similar interests, characteristics, or backgrounds.
• Example: They say birds of a feather flock together. That’s why they’re such good friends.

Bird’s-Eye View

• Meaning: A view from above.
• Example: From the top of the mountain, we had a bird’s-eye view of the valley below.

Early Bird

• Meaning: Someone who wakes up or starts work early.
• Example: My dad is an early bird. He wakes up at 5 am every day.

Kill Two Birds with One Stone

• Meaning: To accomplish two things at once.
• Example: By going to the grocery store on my way home, I can kill two birds with one stone.

Night Owl

• Meaning: Someone who stays up late at night.
• Example: She’s a night owl and often works late into the night.

A Lame Duck

• Meaning: A person or thing that is weak or ineffective.
• Example: The current CEO is seen as a lame duck, unable to make any significant changes.

A Sitting Duck

• Meaning: Someone or something that is easy to attack or harm.
• Example: Without any security measures, our website is a sitting duck for hackers.

Fox In The Henhouse (Chicken house)

• Meaning: Someone who is a threat or danger to a group or organization.
• Example: We need to be careful about who we hire. We don’t want a fox in the henhouse.

Get One’s Ducks in a Row

• Meaning: To get organized and prepared.
• Example: Before starting the project, we need to get our ducks in a row.

Ugly Duckling

• Meaning: Someone or something that is unattractive or unappealing at first but becomes beautiful or successful later.
• Example: She was an ugly duckling in high school but became a successful model later in life.

Swan Song

• Meaning: A final act or performance before retirement or death.
• Example: The concert was his swan song before he retired from music.

Eagle-Eyed

• Meaning: Someone who is very observant and pays attention to detail.
• Example: The editor is eagle-eyed and never misses a typo.

Feather One’s Nest

• Meaning: To use one’s position or power to gain personal wealth or advantage.
• Example: The politician was accused of feathering his own nest by accepting bribes.

Flew The Coop

• Meaning: To leave or escape from a place or situation.
• Example: After graduating, she flew the coop and moved to New York City.

He Would Put Legs Under A Chicken

• Meaning: To be very active or energetic.
• Example: He’s so full of energy, he would put legs under a chicken.

Sick As A Parrot

• Meaning: To be very disappointed or upset.
• Example: He was sick as a parrot when he found out he didn’t get the job.

What’s Good for the Goose Is Good for the Gander

• Meaning: What is good for one person is good for another.
• Example: If he gets a raise, I should too. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.

Wild Goose Chase

• Meaning: A search or pursuit that is pointless or fruitless.
• Example: The police were on a wild goose chase, looking for a suspect who had already left the country.

Eat Crow

• Meaning: To admit that you were wrong and apologize.
• Example: After the project failed, the manager had to eat crow and apologize to the team.

Common Bird Idioms | Infographics