Take the wrong sow by the ear
Meaning: To go after the wrong target, or blame the wrong person.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Category: Animals
Origin: An old English expression, long out of everyday use and now found mostly in proverb collections. Taking a pig by the ear was the practical way to get hold of one, so seizing the wrong sow is laying hands firmly and confidently on exactly the wrong thing — a mistake that announces itself immediately, since the animal will not go quietly. Living English says bark up the wrong tree for the same idea.
More idioms — Animals
- Avaler des couleuvres — To put up with insults or humiliations without being able to protest; also, to swallow an…
- Comme un coq en pâte — Thoroughly pampered; living in complete comfort.
- 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.
More English idioms
- 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.
- Bob's your uncle — And there you have it; simple as that.
- take the biscuit — to be the most outrageous or remarkable thing; to win or excel.
From our proverbs
- God reacheth us good things with our own hands. — Our own efforts transform divine blessings into tangible benefits we can truly possess.
- One can never have too much of a good thing. — Abundance of beneficial things—love, knowledge, health—enriches life without diminishment…
- One never loseth by doing good turns. — Kindness creates invisible returns that eventually benefit the giver, even when no immedi…
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