IdiomAnimals
English
Englishnot turn a hair
Meaning: To show no reaction at all.
Example: “The fire alarm went off and the cat didn't turn a hair.”
Origin: From horses: a horse that has been worked hard shows it in a ruffled, sweat-turned coat, so one that has not turned a hair is entirely unruffled. The phrase is recorded from the 18th century.
Equivalents in other languages
Russian: в ус не дуть (v us ne dut') Literally: Not to blow into the mustache
More English idioms
- all brawn and no brain Physically strong but not clever.
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- until one is blue in the face For as long as one likes, with no result.
- an accident waiting to happen Someone or something very likely to cause trouble or harm.
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