IdiomAnimals
English
Englishtalk the hind legs off a donkey
Meaning: To talk endlessly.
Example: “My uncle could talk the hind legs off a donkey.”
Origin: A comic exaggeration of talk so relentless it would wear the legs off an animal. Earlier versions used a horse; the donkey form is found from the 19th century, mainly in Britain.
Equivalents in other languages
French: Un moulin à paroles Literally: A word mill
More English idioms
- cut the Gordian knot To solve a complicated problem with a bold, simple action.
- pick a fight To deliberately start an argument or fight.
- in someone's good books In favor with someone.
- an eye for an eye Punishment should match the injury; revenge in kind.
- scream blue murder To protest very loudly.
- send someone packing To dismiss someone abruptly.
Explore another collection: Tongue Twisters
Tricky phrases to practice out loud, from languages around the world.
- How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? A 'w/ch/ck' drill that accelerates comically — and nobody really knows the answer.
- The sixth sick sheikh's sixth sheep's sick. Believed by Guinness to be among the hardest in English — 'six/sick/sheikh/sheep' blur in…
- Betty Botter bought some butter, but she said the butter's bitter. A 'b / t / tt' plosive drill that bounces between Betty, butter, and bitter.
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