Word meaning to do with birds

‘HAVING TO DO WITH BIRDS’ is a 19 letter
Phrase
starting with H and ending with S

Crossword answers for HAVING TO DO WITH BIRDS

Clue	Answer
HAVING TO DO WITH BIRDS (5)	AVIAN

Click on the arrows to change the translation direction.

Bilingual Dictionaries

• English–Dutch
  Dutch–English

• English–French
  French–English

• English–German
  German–English

• English–Indonesian
  Indonesian–English

• English–Italian
  Italian–English

• English–Japanese
  Japanese–English

• English–Norwegian
  Norwegian–English

• English–Polish
  Polish–English

• English–Portuguese
  Portuguese–English

• English–Spanish
  Spanish–English

Semi-bilingual Dictionaries

English–Arabic
English–Catalan
English–Chinese (Simplified)
English–Chinese (Traditional)
English–Czech
English–Danish
English–Hindi
English–Korean
English–Malay
English–Russian
English–Thai
English–Turkish
English–Ukrainian
English–Vietnamese

There are lots of bird idioms and phrases used around the world in many different cultures, languages, and countries. Learning about the birds behind the idioms can help birders know more about not only the birds but about how all birds are part of cultural expression and common languages.

Bird Idioms and phrases & Bird Sayings! Learn common Bird idioms and phrases, and sayings in English with meaning and example sentences.

List of Bird Idioms and Phrases in English

(as) free as (the) air

Meaning: Happy and untroubled

Example: I miss the days of being free as the air, back before I had adult problems, like bills to pay.

(as) free as a bird

Meaning: Unencumbered; not restrained by anything. The phrase means the same as “free,” but with more emphasis

Example: Betty must be free as a bird because I never see her in a bad mood.

(feathered) oof-bird

Meaning: obsolete Something that is a source of money, usually in large quantities.

Example: You better come up with a reliable way to earn money, instead hoping for some oof-bird to fall in your lap.

(not) a dicky bird

Meaning: (Not) anything at all.

Example: We heard not a dicky-bird out of the kids all night – they were quiet as can be.

(Someone’s) Goose Is Cooked

Meaning: In serious trouble, with no hope of improvement

Example: After losing two sets to the invincible Djokovic, the tennis player’s goose was cooked.

a bird in hand

Meaning: Something of some value that is already acquired

Example: I think I’ll keep my modest winnings rather than wagering them all on the next horse race. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush

Meaning: proverb It is better to have something less valuable than to pursue something more valuable that may not be able to be obtained.

Example: I think I’ll keep my modest winnings rather than wagering them all on the next horse race. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

a bird of passage

Meaning: A person who remains unfixed to a certain location, relocating from one place to another.

Example: The economy has forced me to become a bird of passage, moving around the state to wherever I can find work.

a bird’s eye shot

Meaning: A scene photographed or filmed from an angle above the subject.

Example: Stand on the roof of that building and get a bird’s eye shot of our lead actress walking down the street.

a bird’s eye view

Meaning: A view looking down at an object or area from a high elevation (as if from the perspective of a bird in flight).

Example: From up here you can get a bird’s eye view of the entire campus.

a box of birds

Meaning: In good spirits or health. Used in the phrase “be a box of birds.”

Example: Molly seems like a box of birds today—she must be over the flu.

Read More: Idioms to use in conversation!

a home bird

Meaning: One who prefers the comforts and familiarity of one’s home to new and unknown places or things.

Example: Our daughter has always been a home bird, officer—being gone for such a long stretch without at least making contact with us is completely out of character.

a Lame Duck

Meaning: A person or enterprise (often a business) that is not a success and that has to be helped.

Example: It leaves a lame duck with the responsibility of pushing the Maastricht Bill through the Commons.

a little bird

Meaning: An unknown person. Often used in the phrase “a little bird told me,” in which the speaker does not want to reveal the source of the information.

Example: A little bird told me that George interviewed for that open position in human resources, so maybe we’ll be free of him sooner than later.

a little bird told me

Meaning: I don’t wish to divulge where I got the information

Example: How do you know my boyfriend went out with someone else? – A little bird told me.

a rare bird

Meaning: Somebody or something of a kind that one seldom sees

Example: Diane Johnson’s book is that rare bird, an American novel of manners.

a Sitting Duck

Meaning: A person or object in a vulnerable position that is easy to attack or injure.

Example: When my car broke down in a bad neighborhood, I felt like a sitting duck, just waiting to get robbed.

an early bird

Meaning: Someone who is more active and alert in the early hours of the morning than later in the day; an early riser.

Example: I tried dating an early bird once, but since I like to sleep in late, it didn’t really work out.

be (like) a bird in a gilded cage

Meaning: To live a life of wealth and luxury but to be without true freedom, happiness, or contentment.

Example: John forsook his friends and family in the pursuit of his riches, but with no friends or loved ones, he is now like a bird in a gilded cage.

be (strictly) for the birds

Meaning: To be frustrating, annoying, or pointless. Primarily heard in US and Australia.

Example: Driving is strictly for the birds when you live in a big city—unless you like sitting in traffic!

be a box of birds

Meaning: To be in good spirits or health. Primarily heard in Australia, New Zealand.

Example: Once she’s had some time to cheer up, she’ll be a box of birds again, don’t worry.

be a rare bird

Meaning: To be a very unusual person or thing, especially due to a combination of typically incompatible features.

Example: The film is a rare bird—funny, crass, and yet more emotionally powerful than anything I’ve seen all year.

be birds of a feather

Meaning: To be very similar (to another person) in taste, preference, opinion, etc.

Example: I knew you and John would get along well. Given all the interests you share, it seemed pretty clear that you were birds of a feather.

be birds of the same feather

Meaning: To be very similar (to another person) in taste, preference, opinion, etc.

Example: Janet and I have always been birds of the same feather. There’s very little that we don’t agree on.

bird

Meaning: A man of some peculiar quality (indicated by a preceding modifier).

Example: Some odd-looking bird came into the shop today looking for a rare antique.

bird has flown, the

Meaning: Someone or something has left, fled, escaped, etc.; someone or something is no longer here.

Example: I’m afraid you’re not going to find him here. The bird has flown.

Read More: American idioms with meaning and example

bird in (one’s) bosom

Meaning: An oath of faith, servitude, piety, or conscience that is kept guarded in one’s heart, mind, and spirit.

Example: Truly, my lord, I am at your service and loyal to your name, and I shall guard the bird in my bosom till my last breath.

bird in the hand is worth two in the bush

Meaning: It is better to have something less valuable than to pursue something more valuable that may not be able to be obtained.

Example: I think I’ll keep my modest winnings rather than wagering them all on the next horse race. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

bird of (one’s) own brain

Meaning: A thought or idea of one’s own conception, especially that which is confidential or unknown to others.

Example: I know not what she thinks of me, for that is a bird in her own brain and kept from my eyes.

bird of passage

Meaning: A person who remains unfixed to a certain location, relocating from one place to another.

Example: The economy has forced me to become a bird of passage, moving around the state to wherever I can find work.

bird watcher

Meaning: a girl watcher; someone, usually a man, who enjoys watching women go by

Example: You bird watchers should just mind your own business!

bird’s eye view

Meaning: A view looking down at an object or area from a high elevation (as if from the perspective of a bird in flight)

Example: Wow, what a stunning bird’s eye view of Los Angeles.

bird’s-eye view, (of something)

Meaning: a good view of something from high above

Example: From the church tower you get a bird’s-eye view of the town.

bird-brain

Meaning: A person who lacks intelligence or who makes stupid decisions

Example: I’m such a birdbrain. I forgot my driver’s license, officer.

bird-brained

Meaning: Characterized by stupidity, foolishness, or a lack of foresight.

Example: You’re so bird-brained. I can’t believe you got stranded on the highway because you didn’t put enough gas in your car!

bird-brained idea

Meaning: An especially foolish, stupid, or shortsighted plan or idea.

Example: A: “I’ve got a great plan for selling bees as pets-we’ll make a fortune!” B: “Here we go with another one of your bird-brained ideas.”

bird-dog

Meaning: To pay close, usually unwelcome, attention to someone else.

Example: Why’d you have to go and bird-dog me, your best buddy?

birds and the bees, the

Meaning: Lessons about sex, such as are typically taught to children or young adults.

Example: My mom talked to me about the birds and the bees this morning – it was so mortifying!

birds in their little nests agree

Meaning: Housemates should try to treat each other amicably

Example: Even though I know that birds in their little nests agree, I can’t seem to stop myself from arguing with my sister all the time.

birds of a feather

Meaning: Similar or like-minded people.

Example: I knew you and John would get along well. You’re birds of a feather, after all.

Read More: Idiomatic Expressions – Choose A Category

birds of a feather flock together

Meaning: People who have similar interests, ideas, or characteristics tend to seek out or associate with one another

Example: I knew you and John would get along well, seeing as you both enjoy science fiction so much. Birds of a feather flock together.

birds of a feather fly together

Meaning: People who have similar interests, ideas, or characteristics tend to associate well with one another.

Example: I knew you and John would get along well—birds of a feather fly together, after all.

birds of the same feather

Meaning: Similar or like-minded people

Example: I’m surprised Tony and John don’t get along. Given all the interests they share, I thought they would be birds of the same feather.

birdseed

Meaning: A very paltry or minuscule amount of money; the absolute minimum amount.

Example: Suzy’s brother has a connection in the stadium, so we got these tickets for birdseed!

birdturd

Meaning: An unpleasant or irritating person

Example: Ugh, I just washed my car, and there’s birdturd on it already!

boo bird

Meaning: Someone who is apt to boo, typically at a sporting event

Example: That questionable call against the home team has brought the boo-birds out in full force.

charm the birds from the trees

Meaning: To be appealingly and persuasively charming

Example: He isn’t the cleverest person on the team, but he could charm the birds from the trees, so people are naturally inclined to trust his opinion.

charm the birds off the trees

Meaning: To be appealingly and persuasively charming.

Example: He isn’t the cleverest person on the team, but he could charm the birds off the trees, so people are naturally inclined to trust his opinion.

charm the birds out of the trees

Meaning: To be appealingly and persuasively charming.

Example: He isn’t the cleverest person on the team, but he could charm the birds out of the trees, so people are naturally inclined to trust his opinion.

do (one’s) bird

Meaning: To serve a prison sentence. From rhyming slang, in which “bird” is short for “birdlime,” which rhymes with “time.” Primarily heard in UK.

Example: After doing his bird for the past five years, Mark is getting released from jail today.

do bird

Meaning: To serve a prison sentence. The phrase comes from rhyming slang in which “bird” is short for “birdlime,” which rhymes with “time.”

Example: After doing bird for the past five years, Mark is getting released from jail today.

eager Beaver

Meaning: The term eager beaver refers to a person who is hardworking and enthusiastic, sometimes considered overzealous.

Example: Give that big project to the new girl, she’s a real eager beaver.

eagle-Eyed

Meaning: Having sharp vision

Example: My eagle-eyed sister spotted the car in the parking lot before anyone else did.

early bird

Meaning: Someone who is more active and alert in the early hours of the morning than later in the day; an early riser.

Example: I suppose it’s more out of necessity than anything, but I turned into an early bird as soon as I had kids.

early bird catches the worm

Meaning: Someone who is very active and alert in the early hours of the morning is apt to find success.

Example: We need to get to the store early if we want to have the best selection. The early bird catches the worm, you know.

early bird special

Meaning: A special in some restaurants or similar eateries where some meals are available at a lower price before the usual dinner hours. Stereotypically associated with older people and retirees.

Example: Do we really have to go for the early bird special? We’re not 80!

eat Crow

Meaning: To admit one was wrong, and accept humiliation

Example: I am ready to eat crow. My prediction about the game was completely wrong.

eat like a bird

Meaning: To not eat very much. The phrase evokes the image of a pecking bird

Example: Don’t worry about making extra food for Kim, she eats like a bird.

eat like a bird/horse, to

Meaning: To eat large quantities of food

Example: Kim is staying for dinner, and she eats like a horse, so you better make some extra food.

eat like a horse

Meaning: to eat large amounts of food

Example: No wonder he’s so fat. He eats like a horse. John works like a horse and eats like a horse, so he never gets fat.

eye-view

Meaning: a view seen from high above

Example: Wow, what a stunning bird’s eye view of Los Angeles.

feather One’s Nest

Meaning: To take advantage of one’s position to benefit oneself

Example: Most politicians in our country don’t have the public good in mind-they’re just interested in feathering their nests.

fine feathers make fine birds

Meaning: Attractive clothing makes one seem more beautiful or appealing

Example: I didn’t think Sean was that handsome until I saw him in a tux. I guess it’s true what they say—fine feathers make fine birds.

flew The Coop

Meaning: Left, escaped

Example: He was never happy living at home with his parents, so as soon as possible he flew the coop and got his own place.

flip (one) the bird

Meaning: To raise the middle finger (a rude gesture of anger or displeasure) at one.

Example: I flipped my brother the bird after he said that he’d never seen a worse basketball player than me.

flip off

Meaning: To turn something off, typically a switch. A noun or pronoun can be used between “flip” and “off.”

Example: I flipped off the living room light and headed upstairs to bed.

flip someone the bird

Meaning: to give someone the finger; to display the digitus impudicus to someone

Example: Max flipped the cop the bird – and that was just the wrong thing to do.

flip/give/shoot somebody the bird

Meaning: make a rude sign at somebody with your middle finger

Example: What are you shooting me the bird for, I didn’t even say anything insulting!

flush out the bird

Meaning: To force a bird out of hiding, as when hunting.

Example: You know, you could use a hunting dog to help you flush out the bird.

flush the birds out of the bushes

Meaning: To cause birds to come out of hiding, as when hunting

Example: The sudden sound of the car engine flushed the birds out of the bushes all around them.

for the birds

Meaning: Worthless, stupid, or completely undesirable

Example: I miss my usual shift—night work is for the birds.

for the birds, it’s/that’s

Meaning: It’s useless, worthless; not to be taken seriously

Example: I don’t like this kind of life. It’s for the birds.

fox In The Henhouse (Chicken house)

Meaning: Someone who causes trouble

Example: The boss’s son is a fox in the henhouse. He does no actual work, and all he does is stir up problems.

free as a bird

Meaning: Happy and untroubled

Example: Betty must be free as a bird because I never see her in a bad mood.

free bird

Meaning: One who is totally unencumbered or unrestrained by any previous obligations.

Example: I’m a free bird this Friday! Do you want to meet for dinner?

get One’s Ducks in a Row

Meaning: Have everything organized; get oneself organized

Example: Sorry about all the emails. I’m just trying to get my ducks in a row before I go on vacation.

get the bird

Meaning: To be promptly and unceremoniously dismissed from one’s job, role, or position.

Example: That player sure got the bird after he dropped the ball.

ghetto bird

Meaning: A police helicopter, especially one that monitors or patrols through particularly impoverished areas of a city. Primarily heard in US.

Example: Sam is just a ghetto bird who has lots of skills but no job.

give (one) the bird

Meaning: To raise the middle finger (a rude gesture of anger or displeasure) at one. The phrase “flip (one) the bird” is also commonly used.

Example: The crowd gave that player the bird after he dropped the ball.

give someone the bird

Meaning: If someone gives you the bird, they make a rude and offensive gesture with one hand, with their middle finger pointing up and their other fingers bent over in a fist.

Example: He made a couple of mistakes and the crowd immediately gave him the bird.

have a bird

Meaning: To become distressed by something, often something surprising.

Example: Mom will have a bird when she finds out you’re failing your math class.

have a bird’s-eye view (of something)

Meaning: To have a view looking down at an object or area from a high elevation (as if from the perspective of a bird in flight)

Example: From up here, you can have a bird’s-eye view of the entire campus.

he Would Put Legs Under A Chicken

Meaning: He will talk your head off; he is very talkative

Example: Get ready to do a lot of listening if you go out to lunch with Karl – he would put legs under a chicken.

hit two birds with one stone

Meaning: To complete, achieve, or take care of two tasks at the same time or with a singular series of actions; to solve two problems with one action or solution.

Example: I might as well hit two birds with one stone and drop off my tax return while I’m at the mall for the computer part I need.

home bird

Meaning: One who prefers the comforts and familiarity of one’s home to new and unknown places or things

Example: Sharah’s a home bird really.

it’s an ill bird that fouls its own nest

Meaning: An unwise or disreputable person does things that ultimately cause them problems.

Example: A: “Oh man, why would he say something insulting like that about the boss’s daughter at the holiday party? B: “I don’t know—it’s an ill bird that fouls its own nest.”

kill two birds with one stone

Meaning: To complete, achieve, or take care of two tasks at the same time or with a singular series of actions; to solve two problems with one action or solution.

Example: I might as well kill two birds with one stone and drop off my tax forms while I’m at the mall for the computer part I need.

kill two birds with one stone, to

Meaning: To achieve two goals with a single effort

Example: If we have to go to Manchester for the meeting, then let’s visit Auntie Joan on the way there. We can kill two birds with one stone.

king of birds

Meaning: Any bird for which a group, nation, or culture has a great amount of admiration or respect, especially an eagle.

Example: Seeing a bald eagle up close in the wild, it is easy to see why the king of birds was chosen to be on our country’s seal.

ladybug, ladybug, fly away home

Meaning: A children’s rhyme said as a chant to shoo away the ladybug beetle

Example: A: “Look! A ladybug landed on your arm.” B: “Ladybug, ladybug, fly away home!”

little bird told me

Meaning: A phrase used when one does not want to reveal the source of the information that one is about to share or has shared.

Example: A: “Did you hear that Mark is planning to propose to Sarah soon?” B: “Yes, a little bird told me.”

little bird told one, a

Meaning: I have information from a secret source.

Example: How did you learn they were getting a divorce?-Oh, a little bird told me.

lovebirds

Meaning: Two people who make obvious their romantic relationship, as through frequent expressions of intimacy and affection.

Example: How are the two lovebirds? Are they still in the honeymoon phase of the relationship?

Night Owl

Meaning: Somebody who often stays up late or is active at night can be called a night owl

Example: My husband’s a night owl, but I like to be in bed by 10 o’clock.

not a dicky bird

Meaning: (Not) anything at all

Example: We heard not a dicky-bird out of the kids all night—they were quiet as can be.

not hear a dicky bird

Meaning: To not hear or receive any sound, utterance, or item of communication.

Example: We haven’t heard a dicky-bird out of the kids all night – I think one of us should go check on them.

not say/hear a dicky bird

Meaning: say/hear nothing

Example: 1. Don’t look at me! I didn’t say a dicky bird., 2. We haven’t heard a dicky bird from her for weeks.

odd bird

Meaning: A rather unusual, strange, eccentric, or peculiar person.

Example: His new girlfriend is nice enough, but she’s a bit of an odd bird, don’t you think?

old bird

Meaning: Any older person. The phrase can either be disparaging or endearing.

Example: Oh, be quiet, you crazy old bird.

on the bird

Meaning: Available to watch on cable or satellite television channels.

Example: I heard there’s a classic movie on the bird tonight at 9 – want to watch it with me?

rare bird

Meaning: A person or thing that is very unusual, especially due to a combination of typically incompatible features.

Example: Their latest model is a rare bird indeed, a spacious hatchback that still feels premium and elegant in its design.

shoot (one) the bird

Meaning: To raise the middle finger (a rude gesture of anger or displeasure) at one. The phrase “flip (one) the bird” is also commonly used.

Example: I shot my brother the bird after he said that he’d never seen a worse basketball player than me.

sick As A Parrot

Meaning: Very disappointed

Example: I was sick as a parrot after Man United lost last night.

sing like a bird

Meaning: To have a beautiful singing voice

Example: I was so impressed with Molly’s performance at the talent show. She sings like a bird – I had no idea!

snowbird

Meaning: One who leaves their home to stay in a warmer climate during the winter months (as to avoid snow and other winter weather). Often said of retirees.

Example: Now that my parents are retired, they’re total snowbirds—they leave New York after Christmas and spend the rest of the winter in Florida.

strange bird

Meaning: A rather unusual, strange, eccentric, or peculiar person.

Example: His new girlfriend is nice enough, but she’s a bit of a strange bird, don’t you think?

strictly for the birds

Meaning: Worthless, stupid, or completely undesirable

Example: Driving is strictly for the birds when you live in a big city – unless you like sitting in traffic!

swan Song

Meaning: A final appearance

Example: This game will be the quarterback’s swan song – he’s retiring after this season.

the bird

Meaning: A rude gesture in which one’s middle finger is raised, typically to show anger, disdain, or insolence. Usually used with the verbs “give” or “flip.”

Example: I flipped my brother the bird after he told me to go mow the lawn for him.

the bird has flown

Meaning: Someone or something has left, fled, escaped, etc.; someone or something is no longer here.

Example: I’m afraid you’re not going to find him here. The bird has flown.

the birds and the bees

Meaning: Lessons about sex, such as are typically taught to children or young adults

Example: My mom talked to me about the birds and the bees this morning – it was so mortifying!

the early bird catches the worm

Meaning: Someone who is very active and alert in the early hours of the morning is apt to find success

Example: We need to get to the store early if we want to have the best selection. The early bird catches the worm, you know.

the early bird gets the worm

Meaning: Someone who is very active and alert in the early hours of the morning is more apt to find success or opportunities.

Example: We need to get to the store early if we want to have the best selection. The early bird gets the worm, you know.

to Have Butterflies In Your Stomach

Meaning: To be nervous

Example: I almost didn’t go on stage and perform tonight because I had butterflies in my stomach.

tough old bird

Meaning: A resilient, physically hardy older person

Example: My granny was a tough old bird, let me tell ya. She ran the farm nearly single-handedly well into her 80s.

two birds with one stone

Meaning: Two tasks completed, achieved, or taken care of at the same time or with a singular series of actions; two problems solved with one action or solution. Typically used with the verbs “kill” or “hit.”

Example: I might as well kill two birds with one stone and drop off my tax return while I’m at the mall for the computer part I need.

ugly Duckling

Meaning: An awkward child or young person who grows into a beautiful person

Example: It’s certainly the ugly duckling of the era-until you get to drive one.

wading bird

Meaning: A type of bird with long legs and a long neck that is typically found in shallow water.

Example: Look at all that wading bird near the shore. I think it might be a heron.

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

Meaning: What’s OK For A Man is OK For A Woman, too

Example: My boyfriend complains when I go out, but then I found out he went out with his friends every night this week. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.

whirlybird

Meaning: A helicopter

Example: The cops will be sending whirlybirds to track us down, so we’ll need to stay hidden in the trees.

wild Goose Chase

Meaning: An impossible or futile search or task

Example: The photographs might represent a wild goose chase after the random neuroses of an insecure young woman.

yardbird

Meaning: A chicken. Primarily heard in US

Example: They always give the worst jobs to us yardbirds.

you cannot catch old birds with chaff

Meaning: You cannot easily dupe or deceive those who are wise or experienced.

Post Views: 781

Below is a massive list of birds words — that is, words related to birds. The top 4 are: wing, fowl, animals and feather. You can get the definition(s) of a word in the list below by tapping the question-mark icon next to it. The words at the top of the list are the ones most associated with birds, and as you go down the relatedness becomes more slight. By default, the words are sorted by relevance/relatedness, but you can also get the most common birds terms by using the menu below, and there’s also the option to sort the words alphabetically so you can get birds words starting with a particular letter. You can also filter the word list so it only shows words that are also related to another word of your choosing. So for example, you could enter «wing» and click «filter», and it’d give you words that are related to birds and wing.

You can highlight the terms by the frequency with which they occur in the written English language using the menu below. The frequency data is extracted from the English Wikipedia corpus, and updated regularly. If you just care about the words’ direct semantic similarity to birds, then there’s probably no need for this.

There are already a bunch of websites on the net that help you find synonyms for various words, but only a handful that help you find related, or even loosely associated words. So although you might see some synonyms of birds in the list below, many of the words below will have other relationships with birds — you could see a word with the exact opposite meaning in the word list, for example. So it’s the sort of list that would be useful for helping you build a birds vocabulary list, or just a general birds word list for whatever purpose, but it’s not necessarily going to be useful if you’re looking for words that mean the same thing as birds (though it still might be handy for that).

If you’re looking for names related to birds (e.g. business names, or pet names), this page might help you come up with ideas. The results below obviously aren’t all going to be applicable for the actual name of your pet/blog/startup/etc., but hopefully they get your mind working and help you see the links between various concepts. If your pet/blog/etc. has something to do with birds, then it’s obviously a good idea to use concepts or words to do with birds.

If you don’t find what you’re looking for in the list below, or if there’s some sort of bug and it’s not displaying birds related words, please send me feedback using this page. Thanks for using the site — I hope it is useful to you! 🐤

Today I’m going to teach you 10 English idioms about birds. They’ll help you understand the Fast and Furious movies, help you in business, and help you pass your English exams.

Let’s get started!

#1: To Kill Two Birds With One Stone

Have you ever needed to take a trip to one side of town in the morning, but then ended up going back there again in the evening for something else?

Well, if you’d thought ahead and done both errands at the same time you could have killed two birds with one stone.

It means ‘do 2 things at the same time’.

A personal example: At the moment we’re renovating our house to make it more energy efficient. The front of the house has a couple of metal walls – by changing to wood it’ll be warmer and look nicer, too. So we’re killing two birds with one stone.

“Yeah, I’m going to Chicago on business. My mum also lives there so I can visit her and kill two birds with one stone.’’

Exam question: What’s good about living in your city?

“We have a good train service, meaning I can get to work quickly and do some work on my laptop while travelling, it’s killing two birds with one stone!”

Environmental note: don’t kill birds.

#2: A Little Bird Told Me

Have you ever seen a movie where a cop was in the middle of questioning a suspect and he knew information that the suspect thought he wouldn’t?

“Hey, wait a minute! How do you even know that?!”

“Oh, I have my sources… you could say a little bird told me.”

When a little bird tells you something it means that someone gave you some info, but you’re not revealing who it was that told you.

Exam question: What are you going to be doing this weekend?

“Well, a little bird told me there’ll be a party going on down the road from me, so I’m probably going to check that out.”

#3: Birds Of A Feather Flock Together

Did you notice at school that all the computer nerds tended to hang out together, and all the sports fanatics had a different group? The emo types would all pretend to be alone but really they were in a group too?

The idiom birds of a feather flock together is ideal to use in this situation.

It just means that people with similar interests, tastes or behaviour tend to group together.

“There’s a Star Trek convention going on at Barnaby Hall. Everyone’s dressed up in costume. You know what they say… birds of a feather flock together.”

Exam Question: Who do you spend your free time with?

“I’m always around my biker club friends as we’re always having fun trying to race each other and whatnot… I guess birds of a feather really do flock together.”

#4: Chicken Out

If a million people made a list of animals with a reputation for being brave, a chicken would not be anyone’s first choice! They usually run off at the first sign of danger.

Imagine you said that you would parachute out of a plane for charity. When you got up there and saw the ground thousands of feet down you realised you just couldn’t do it, and returned to the airfield hanging your head in shame.

You backed out of it, or in other words, you chickened out!

“My boyfriend was supposed to be meeting my parents this weekend but he chickened out and said he had the flu.”

Exam Question: Tell me about one of your siblings.

“Lucas is pretty much my opposite. If I want to push forward and do something, he’ll do the opposite and chicken out.”

#5: Dead as a Dodo

Dodos were large birds that used to live on two islands in the Indian ocean. They couldn’t fly and apparently had no fear of humans, so when Dutch sailors arrived on the islands they found their dinners pretty much just sitting there waiting for them.

As you can imagine they are extinct now.

If something is totally and definitely dead, or even if it’s something there is no use in having around as no-one has no interest in it anymore, you can say it is “as dead as a dodo”.

“The negotiations had seemed to be going well, but since the ambassador insulted the president’s wife the deal is as dead as a dodo.”

“Now we have Netflix and Disney Plus, BluRays may soon be as dead as a dodo.”

Exam Question: How do you like to travel?

“I really like to drive, but the battery in my car is as dead as a dodo. So, I’ve been having to get the bus.”

#6: Night Owl

Let’s establish a fact, here.

Not everyone is meant to be a morning person!

Some can actually wake up early and be ready for the world but for others, they are their best at night time. Or perhaps just like to stay up late.

This makes them a night owl!

“I swear, if Jerry calls me at one in the morning one more time! Why can’t he understand that I’m not a night owl like him?!”

Exam Question: What is your favourite time of day?

“Late at night when I can get work done in peace, I’m a real night owl!”

#7: Wild Goose Chase

Imagine your friend ever dragged you out on a Saturday morning to run around the city all day trying to find a particular pair of trainers…

Only to find out at the end of the day that those shoes are only available in another country?

Congratulations, you’ve been led on a wild goose chase, a search that ends up being a waste of time or at least far longer than it needed to be!

“I almost strangled Harry the other day. Why? Because he sent me on a wild goose chase to get him a magazine that wasn’t even out yet. ”

Exam question: Are you going to do anything special this weekend?

“Oh yeah, I’m going to see if I can find the perfect dress for the school prom. Hopefully, it isn’t a wild goose chase!”

#8: Ugly Duckling

Remember that one girl who wasn’t the best looking in school, only for her to hit university and become absolutely jaw-dropping?

She went through a period of being an ugly duckling, which is when you’re not very good-looking or perhaps a bit gawky as a kid but the older you is attractive.

Now, you might be thinking “but ducklings are so cute” and you’d be right. The phrase comes from an old story about a baby swan (a cygnet) that ends up in a ducks nest by accident.

Ducklings may be cute but cygnets are definitely not, so all the other ducks said it was an “ugly duckling”. Then it grew up to be a swan which was, of course, beautiful.

“Guys were never interested in me when I was in my teens. Now, I can’t keep them away from me! My friend said that my ugly duckling phase is over, but I couldn’t have been THAT bad… could I?”

Exam Question: Have you done anything interesting with your friends lately?

“We looked through our old yearbooks from kindergarten, but they kept saying I had been an ugly duckling and I ended up swearing at them.”

#9: Fly the Coop

Have you ever been in a situation where you felt you couldn’t do what you really wanted?

For example living at home with your parents. You love them dearly but you’d really like to get your own place and do your own thing rather than live by their rules. And if your Dad tells that joke one more time….

Did you manage to escape?

If you did, you’ve flown the coop.

The phrase comes from the idea of chickens or other farm birds escaping their coop or enclosure. It means to get out of a situation that you find limiting.

“Susan used to work at the local hairdressers, but now she’s flown the coop and set up her own salon.”

Exam Question: Do you prefer traveling by train or plane?

“I like planes. It really lets me feel like I’ve flown the coop whenever I leave the country.”

#10: Bird’s Eye View

When someone says they have a bird’s eye view, it means that they have a good view of everything below them. Or, it can also be used to mean that they have a broad view of a situation.

“We stayed on the 35th Floor of the hotel so we had a real bird’s eye view of Paris.”

“He called in a consultant to get a bird’s eye view of the company and see where the real problems were.”

Exam Question:What would be your favourite ride at the funfair?

“I love the ferris wheel, as you can get a bird’s eye view of the whole area.”