IdiomAnimals
Irish
IrishTá sé ar muin na muice
Meaning: He's doing wonderfully; living in luck.
Literally: He's on the pig's back
Example: “Ó fuair sé an post nua, tá sé ar muin na muice.” — Since he got the new job, he's sitting pretty.
English equivalent: Sitting pretty
Origin: "He is on the pig's back": doing very well, living in comfort. The phrase is also common in Irish English, and pigs stood for wealth on Irish farms, but no source documents a particular story behind it.
Equivalents in other languages
Norwegian: Å være midt i smørøyet Literally: To be in the middle of the butter-eye
English: sitting pretty
More Irish idioms
- Ní neart go cur le chéile Strength comes from working together.
- Imíonn an tuirse is fanann an tairbhe Hard work's reward outlasts the toil.
- Is glas iad na cnoic i bhfad uainn The grass is always greener elsewhere.
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