thin the herd
Meaning: To reduce the size of a group by removing members, typically the weakest or least productive.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Category: Animals
Origin: The phrase pictures a farmer culling inferior animals from a herd to improve the remaining stock.
More idioms — Animals
- donkey's ears — A very long time; ages.
- soft underbelly — A point of vulnerability or weakness in something otherwise strong or well-defended.
- loaded for bear — Fully prepared and equipped, mentally and materially, to face a difficult challenge or co…
- until the cows come home — For an indefinitely long time; forever or seemingly forever.
- plumer la poule sans la faire crier — To extract money or advantage from someone so skillfully that they do not complain or res…
- faire le pont-levis — For a horse to rear up very high.
More English idioms
- I have a bridge to sell you — A sarcastic way of saying that someone is gullible or easily deceived.
- swallow one's pride — To set aside one's pride and accept a humbling situation or apology.
- fall into place — To become suddenly clear and fully understood when separate elements finally align.
- raise hell — To cause a major disturbance or create considerable trouble and chaos.
- flavor of the week — A person or thing that receives intense attention or popularity for a brief period before…
- stars align — Circumstances or events combine in a fortunate way, often unexpectedly or after a long pe…
From our proverbs
- The best fish are near the bottom. — Valuable things require effort and willingness to search deeper rather than accepting sur…
- I have other fish to fry. — Pursuing multiple important goals simultaneously means you lack time for additional commi…
- Make not fish of one, and flesh of another. — Treat all people with consistent fairness; don't favor some while dismissing others arbit…