like a headless chicken
Meaning: In a frantic, disorganized way.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “On moving day we ran around like headless chickens.”
Category: Animals
Origin: A chicken can briefly run about after its head is cut off. The comparison is chiefly British, common from the 20th century.
Equivalents in other languages
- Serbian: Мува без главе (Muva bez glave) — literally: A fly without a head
More idioms — Animals
- Ça ne casse pas trois pattes à un canard — It's nothing special or impressive.
- Avoir le cafard — To feel depressed or down.
- Poser un lapin — To stand someone up on a date.
- Avoir d'autres chats à fouetter — To have more important things to do.
- Da steppt der Bär — It's going to be a great party.
- Ich glaub mein Schwein pfeift — I can't believe it! That's outrageous!
More English idioms
- a bundle of nerves — A very anxious or nervous person.
- light-fingered — Tending to steal.
- The last straw that broke the camel's back — The final small burden that causes a total collapse.
- To have a frog in your throat — To have difficulty speaking due to hoarseness.
- It's raining cats and dogs — It's raining extremely heavily.
- To have butterflies in your stomach — To feel nervous excitement.
From our untranslatable words
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