IdiomAnimals
English
Englishwork oneself into a lather
Meaning: To become very agitated, anxious or angry.
Example: “Don't work yourself into a lather over one bad review.”
Origin: A hard-driven horse sweats a white froth, called lather. The figurative use for a worked-up person is recorded from the early 20th century.
Equivalents in other languages
French: Se mettre la rate au court-bouillon Literally: To put one's spleen in the poaching broth
More English idioms
- be all the rage To be extremely fashionable or popular for a time.
- avoid like the plague To stay as far away as possible from someone or something.
- lay it on thick To exaggerate, especially praise or flattery, far too much.
- stake one's life on it To be absolutely certain that something is true.
- welcome with open arms To greet or accept someone with great warmth and enthusiasm.
- count on the fingers of one hand To be very few in number, five or fewer.
Explore another collection: Proverbs
Short sayings of timeless wisdom from more than 50 cultures, each with its meaning and origin.
- Hanging and wiving go by destiny. Marriage and execution are equally inevitable forces beyond individual control or choice.
- He that hath shipped the devil must make the best of him. Once committed to a dangerous course, you must proceed with full effort rather than aband…
- Make not the devil blacker than he is. Don't exaggerate someone's faults or paint them worse than reality warrants.
Keep exploring