Idioms

1. One's bark is worse than one's bite

Meaning:

Sounding more frightening 

Usage:

Though our neighbour is forever shouting at

us,  Ravi says his bark is worse than his bite.

Origin:

This saying originates in the 17th Century

when dogs kept as pets simply guarded houses,

and a dog that barked really fiercely always

sounded like he would bite a bit off you.

But if the dog didn't really bite, then it was said

that his bark was worse than his bite!

2. Eager beaver

 Meaning:

Hardworking, industrious.

One who is very excited or enthusiastic to begin a task.

 Usage:

Johnny always finishes his schoolwork before going out to play. In this aspect, Johnny is an eager beaver.

 Origin:

For many centuries man has admired the beaver for its hardworking nature. The beaver swims in rivers and builds dams made of tiny wooden sticks across them. Come rain or shine, the beaver is always hard at his work. This saying became popular in the 17th Century

3. Smell a rat:

Meaning:

To be suspicious or get a feeling that something is wrong.

Usage:

On observing the thief's actions, the policeman smelt a rat and realised that the thief was lying and up to something foul.

Origin: 

This saying was used as early as the 16th Century. Man has always considered rats as dirty, smelly creatures. Even a cat,which suspects that a hole is occupied, wil smell to see if it houses a rat. Soon thispractice of the cat caught on to imply that if you sniff out something bad, you could"smell a rat"!