a bird-brain
Meaning: A silly or scatterbrained person.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “Only a bird-brain would plant tomatoes in December.”
Category: Animals
Origin: Birds' small heads suggested small brains and little sense. "Bird-brained" is recorded from the early 20th century.
Equivalents in other languages
- Polish: ptasi móżdżek — literally: bird's brain
More idioms — Animals
- no room to swing a cat — A very small or cramped space.
- a snake in the grass — A treacherous person who pretends to be a friend.
- shut the stable door after the horse has bolted — To take precautions only after the harm is done.
- kick the cat — To take out one's anger on someone weaker or innocent.
- be put out to pasture — To be retired or set aside as no longer useful.
- Ça ne casse pas trois pattes à un canard — It's nothing special or impressive.
More English idioms
- toss one's cookies — To vomit.
- put on a brave face — To look cheerful or confident while feeling otherwise.
- throw up one's hands — To show that one gives up, in despair or frustration.
- make someone's life hell — To make someone very unhappy for a long time.
- sweep something under the rug — To hide a problem instead of dealing with it.
- push up daisies — To be dead and buried.
From our proverbs
- Music helps not the toothache. — Pleasant diversions cannot cure underlying physical pain that demands direct treatment.
- Make a virtue of necessity. — When circumstances force action, find dignity and purpose in accepting what you cannot av…
- Neighbour-quart is good quart. — Buying locally from neighbors costs less in travel and effort than sourcing goods from di…