IdiomBody & Senses
English
Englishgo by shanks' mare
Meaning: To walk; to travel on foot.
Example: “The last bus had gone, so we went home by shanks' mare.”
Origin: "Shanks" are the lower legs, joked about as if they were a horse. The phrase, also "shanks' pony" in Britain, is found from the 18th century.
Equivalents in other languages
French: Prendre le train onze Literally: To take the number eleven train
More English idioms
- as old as Methuselah Extremely old.
- like a duck to water Naturally and easily, as if born to it.
- kill the goose that lays the golden eggs To destroy a source of profit out of greed.
- with one's tail between one's legs Humiliated and defeated.
- a workhorse A person or machine that does a large amount of hard, reliable work.
- ugly as sin Very ugly.
Explore another collection: Compliments & Insults
Compliments and insults from around the world, from the sweet to the savage.
- Sei un salame You're a clumsy, dopey softie — said with a smile.
- Eres más corto que las mangas de un chaleco You're not the sharpest — a bit slow on the uptake.
- Du bist nicht die hellste Kerze auf der Torte You're a little dim — not the smartest in the room.
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