cry wolf
Meaning: To raise a false alarm or exaggerate so often that one is no longer believed.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Category: Animals
Origin: The expression originates from one of Aesop's fables in which a young shepherd boy falsely alerts people that a wolf is attacking the sheep. At first, people respond to the boy's cries, but he cries "wolf" so many times just for fun that eventually they stop. When the wolf really does come and the boy cries "wolf," no one comes to his aid.
More idioms — Animals
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- dog-eared — Well-worn.
- dog-eat-dog — Ruthless, competitive, and fast-paced.
- dog days of summer — Very hot days.
- eat crow pie — To humble oneself because one has been proved wrong.
- fat cat — A rich but usually lazy person.
More English idioms
- fine kettle of fish — A terrible mess.
- fly-by-night — Undependable; untrustworthy.
- fly in the face of something — To go against something; to show disrespect for something or someone.
- fly in the ointment — An unpleasant element in an otherwise pleasant situation.
- fly off the handle — To suddenly become very angry.
- fly the coop — To escape.
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