有些谚语和习语在汉语中有相应的说法:
Barking dogs do not bite.吠犬不咬人
The best fish swim near bottom.好鱼居深渊
To kill two birds with one stone.一石二鸟
To ride the tiger.骑虎难下
To shed crocodile tears.掉鳄鱼眼泪
汉语中若没有与英语相同的谚语和习语,但与汉语中有关其它动物相近或类似的说法:
Dog doesn't eat dog.虎毒不食子
If the shepherds quarrel,the wolf has a winning game.鹬蚌相争,渔翁得利
Love me, love my dog.爱屋及乌
A lion in the way.拦路虎
A rat in a hole.瓮中之鳖
As wet as a drowned rat.湿如落汤鸡
Like a cat on hot bricks.像热锅上的蚂蚁
When the cat is away, the mice will play.山中无老虎,猴子称大王
To lock the stable door after the horse is stolen.亡羊补牢
另外一些动物类词语,汉语中没有对应的谚语和习语,但与汉语中非动物类谚语和成语较接近:
Better a living dog than a dead lion.好死不如赖活着
Birds of a feather flock together.物以类聚,人以群分
It's an ill bird that fouls its own nest.家丑不可外扬
To beard the lion in his den.太岁头上动土
The best fish smell when they are three days old.久住招人嫌
Fish begins to stink at the head.上梁不正下梁歪
Fight dog, fight bear.不获全胜不收兵
The cat shuts its eyes when stealing cream.掩耳盗铃
The leopard can't change its sports.本性难移
May as well be hanged for a sheep as a lamb.一不做二不休
To put the cart before the horse.本末倒置
He who has a mind to beat his dog will easily find a stick.欲加之罪,何患无辞
Never offer to teach fish tow swim.切莫班门弄斧
To help a lame dog over a stile.雪中送炭
剩下的是英语中原有的具有独特风格和特色的动物类谚语和习语,一般可直译,但需要结合英语语言的背景作具体理解:
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.双鸟在林,不如一鸟在手
One swallow doesn't make a summer.一燕不成夏
Never swap horse while crossing the stream.渡到河中别换马
Don't count your chickens before they are hatched.蛋未孵出莫数鸡
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