This post is all about sheep! Not the animals themselves, but phrases, called idioms, that use the word “sheep.” These expressions make talking and writing more colorful and fun.
Sheep Idioms
Here are 20 sheep idioms in English with meaning and example sentences for each.
1. Black sheep
Meaning: An odd or disreputable member of a group
Example: He’s the black sheep of the family.
2. Count sheep
Meaning: Imagine sheep to help fall asleep
Example: I count sheep every night before sleeping.
3. Follow like sheep
Meaning: Follow others blindly
Example: They just follow like sheep, never asking why.
4. Separate the sheep from the goats
Meaning: Distinguish between good and bad
Example: It’s time to separate the sheep from the goats in this competition.
5. Make sheep’s eyes at
Meaning: Look at lovingly or romantically
Example: He was making sheep’s eyes at her all evening.
6. Wolf in sheep’s clothing
Meaning: A person who pretends to be good
Example: Beware, he’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
7. Sheepish grin
Meaning: Embarrassed or shy smile
Example: He gave a sheepish grin after tripping.
8. Cast sheep’s eyes
Meaning: Look amorously or coyly
Example: She cast sheep’s eyes across the room.
9. Like a lamb to the slaughter
Meaning: Unaware of impending troubles
Example: He walked into the meeting like a lamb to the slaughter.
10. Lose one’s sheep
Meaning: Become distracted or confused
Example: I totally lost my sheep during the exam.
11. Sheep of another color
Meaning: A matter or issue of a different kind
Example: That’s a sheep of another color entirely.
12. Dye one’s sheep
Meaning: Change one’s nature (sarcastically)
Example: You can’t just dye your sheep overnight!
13. One’s own sheep
Meaning: Something that is one’s own concern
Example: Mind your own sheep, please.
14. Run with the sheep
Meaning: Follow the crowd
Example: It’s easy to just run with the sheep.
15. Pull the wool over one’s eyes
Meaning: Deceive someone
Example: He tried to pull the wool over my eyes.
16. Sheep-stealer
Meaning: One who seduces another’s follower
Example: He’s known as the local sheep-stealer.
17. Lamb’s leap
Meaning: A small or short attempt
Example: Give it a lamb’s leap, at least!
18. The lost sheep
Meaning: Someone who has strayed from their path
Example: He’s been the lost sheep of our group.
19. Count one’s sheep
Meaning: Assess one’s resources
Example: It’s time to count one’s sheep before the merger.
20. As gentle as a lamb
Meaning: Very gentle
Example: She is as gentle as a lamb with her students.
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