Global Breaking News - Monday, October 12, 2026
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(Slang) Bird Words
최고관리자 | 12-06-29 18:13
Today we explain some expressions about birds. For example, if something is for the birds, it is worthless or not very interesting. Someone who eats like a bird eats very little. And a birds-eye view is a general look at an area from above.
* for the birds = 시시한 소리(허풍)/ eat like a bird = 소식하다/ birds-eye view = 조감도
Did you know that if you tell a young person about the birds and the bees you are explaining about sex and birth? Have you ever observed that birds of a feather flock together? In other words, people who are similar become friends or do things together. Here is some good advice: a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. This means you should not risk losing something you have by trying to get more of something you do not have.
* the birds and the bees = (특히 아이들에게 가르치는) 성교육/ birds of a feather flock together = 유유상종/ a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush = 손 안에 든 새 한 마리가 숲 속에 있는 두 마리보다 낫다
Sometimes I can do two things by performing only one action. This is called killing two birds with one stone. But I would never really kill any birds. I love all kinds of animals. This is a real feather in my cap. It is something to be proud of.
* kill two birds with one stone = 일석이조/ a feather in one's cap = 명예스러운(자랑스러운)것
Most of the people I work with are early birds. They believe that the early bird catches the worm. They think that a person who gets up early in the morning for work has the best chance of success. Everyone in my office works hard, but some people have had their wings clipped. Their jobs have been limited. This is because the office is organized by pecking order. People with more years and experience are given more responsibility.
* an early bird = 일찍 일어나는 사람; 남보다 먼저 오는 사람/ the early bird catches the worm = 일찍 일어나는 새가 벌레를 잡는다/ clip one's wings = ~의 날개를 꺾다(자유나 권한을 제한하다)/ pecking order = (집단 구성원 사이의) 서열
Some bird expressions are about crows, chickens and ducks. For example, when I am driving, I always travel as the crow flies. I go the most direct way. Anyone who eats crow has to admit a mistake or defeat.
* as the crow flies = 일직선으로/ eat crow = 굴욕을 참다
Now let’s talk about my sister. She is not very young. She is no spring chicken. She will work any job for chicken feed -- a small amount of money. She is easily frightened. For example, she is too chicken-livered to walk down a dark street alone at night. Often she will chicken out – she will not go out alone at night.
* spring chicken = 햇병아리, 풋내기/ chicken feed = 푼돈/ chicken liver = 겁쟁이/ chicken out = 겁을 먹고 ~을 그만두다
My sister was an ugly duckling. She looked strange when she was a child, but she grew up to be a beautiful woman. Sometimes she thinks too much about having something in the future before she really has it. She counts her chickens before they are hatched. Sometimes her chickens come home to roost. That means her actions or words cause trouble for her. However, my sister does not worry about what people say about her. Criticism falls off her like water off a duck’s back.
* ugly duckling = 미운 오리 새끼/ count one's chickens before they are hatched = 떡 줄 놈은 생각도 않는데 김칫국부터 마시다/ chickens come home to roost = 누워서 침뱉기, 자업자득이다/ like water off a duck's back = 아무 영향도 끼치지 못하고, 마이동풍으로
Politicians are sometimes considered lame ducks after losing an election. They have little time left in office and not much power. Congress holds a lame duck session after an election. Important laws are not passed during this period.
* lame duck = (재선이 안 될) 임기 말기의 정치인/ lame duck session = (美) 잔여 회기: 전달 11월의 재선거에서 낙선한 국회의원들의 12월-3월(의회) 회기
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