Global Breaking News - Monday, October 12, 2026

There are many American expressions about insects -- like bees, for example. Bees are known as very hard workers. They always appear to be busy, moving around in their homes, or hives. So you might say you were as busy as a bee if you spent your weekend cleaning your house.
* as busy as a bee = 아주(몹시) 바쁜

In fact, you might say your house was a beehive of activity if your whole family was helping you clean. You also might say you made a beeline for something if you went there right away. When we go to see a movie, my friend always makes a beeline for the place where they sell popcorn.
* beehive of activity = 분주한/ make a beeline for ~ = ~로 급히 가다

Here is an expression about bees that is not used much any more, but we like it anyway. We think it was first used in the nineteen twenties. If something was the best of its kind, you might say it was the bee's knees. Now, we admit that we do not know how this expression developed. In fact, we do not even know if bees have knees!
* the bee's knees = (단수 취급) 최상급의(월등한) 것(일); 최적임자

If your friend cannot stop talking about something because she thinks it is important, you might say she has a bee in her bonnet. If someone asks you a personal question, you might say "that is none of your beeswax." This means none of your business.
* have a bee in one's bonnet(head) = 머리가 좀 이상해져 있다/ none of your beeswax = 상관 마, 참견 마

Speaking of personal questions, there is an expression people sometimes use when their children ask, "where do babies come from?" Parents who discuss sex and reproduction say this is talking about the birds and the bees.
* the birds and the bees = (특히 아이들에게 들려주는) 성에 대한 기본적인 내용

Hornets are bee-like insects that sometimes attack people. If you are really angry, you might say you are mad as a hornet. And if you stir up a hornet's nest, you create trouble or problems.
* (as) mad as a hornet = 몹시 화나서, 격노한/ stir up a hornet's nest = 벌집을 건드리다, 말썽을 일으키다, 긁어 부스럼을 만들다

Butterflies are beautiful insects, but you would not want to have butterflies in your stomach. That means to be nervous about having to do something, like speaking in front of a crowd. You would also not want to have ants in your pants. That is, to be restless and unable to sit still.
* have butterfiles in (one's) stomach = 안절부절 못하다/ have ants in one's pants = 안절부절 못하다, 좀이 쑤시다

Here are some expressions about plain old bugs, another word for insects. If a friend keeps asking you to do something you do not want to do, you might ask him to leave you alone or "stop bugging me." A friend also might tell you again and again to do something. If so, you might say he put a bug in your ear.
* stop bugging me = 날 좀 그만 괴롭혀/ put a(the) bug in one's ear = 남에게 넌지기 경고하다(귀뜸하다); ~을 교묘히 부추기다

If you were reading a book in your warm bed on a cold winter's day, you might say you were snug as a bug in a rug. And if you wish someone good night, you might say, "sleep tight -- don't let the bed bugs bite."
* (as) snug as a bug in a rug = (소파 따위에) 매우 기분 좋게 자리잡고 앉은(앉아서)/ sleep tight = 잘 자