What Did You Say?

I get so many ideas for my own blog posts from fellow bloggers! For instance Darla posted about a saying used by her family, “my top won't spin, my ball won't bounce," to describe one of those days when nothing seems to be going right.

I’m not familiar with that one, but it got me to thinking about each family having its own unique vocabulary to describe situations. I think in many cases, sayings tend to be regional. I know here in the South we have sayings that often sound odd to others. So here a few phrases heard often, with a translation in parenthesis:

Photo Credit: Etsy

Barking up the wrong tree (you are wrong).

Busy as a one-armed man in a wallpaper-hanging contest (very busy).

Caught with your pants down (surprised and unprepared).

Do go on (you must be joking).

Don't bite off more than you can chew (don’t attempt more than you can accomplish).

Don't count your chickens before they hatch (first know the results)

Don't let the tail wag the dog (the chief is in charge, not the Indians).

Either fish or cut bait (work or make way for those who will).

Fly off the handle (angry and lashing out).

Get the short end of the stick (not invited and treated wrong).

Give down the road (give someone a piece of your mind).

Go hog wild (have a good time).

Go off half-cocked (have only half the facts).

Go to bed with the chickens (in bed early)

Go whole hog (go for it all)

Got your feathers ruffled (upset and pouting).

Happy as a pig in mud (doesn't grasp or worry what's going on)

Has an axe to grind (upset about something).

I do declare. (usually means nothing)

In high cotton (rising up in society).

In a coon's age (been a long time).

Like a bump on a log (lazy and doing nothing).

Like two peas in a pod (act and think alike).

Mend fences (settle differences).

Scarce as hen's teeth (doesn’t exist).

Sight for sore eyes. (pretty or nice).

Stomping grounds (familiar territory).

That takes the cake (surprised).

Too big for one's britches (someone getting uppity).

Two shakes of a sheep's tail (done quickly).

Well, shut my mouth (shocked and speechless).

What are some of the sayings unique to your family, or to your region or country? Are any of the above sayings familiar to you? I'd love for you to add your lists in the comments section.

Thank you!