ass
(also ‘donkey‘ & ’wild ass‘; plural: ‘asses‘)
a kind of animal – mammal – looks like a donkey; related to horses; found all over the world
an ass/a wild ass
female ~~ jenny
baby ~~ foal (male – colt; female – filly)
group ~~ herd, pace, drove
voice (call) ~~ bray
It is a very sturdy but stubborn animal. It is the most common beast of burden, carries heavy loads even in rugged places.
1.
ass = an obstinate (stubborn) foolish person
2.
Balaam’s ass = a person whose warnings nobody cares to mind
3.
as stunt as an ass [‘stunt’ here means ill-tempered, stubborn]
4.
to sell your ass = to get rid of one’s foolish ways or thinking
5.
fool of an ass [= a phrase used to insult a person saying that that person is a fool like an ass]
6.
to mount the ass = to go bankrupt (to lose all the money in a business)
7.
to wash an ass’s ears = to waste labour and material on something (a plan or project) worthless
8.
to make an ass of oneself = to behave in a foolish way so that one is laughed at
9.
an ass in a lion’s skin = a rough and bullying crowd of people [= people that try to frighten weak and helpless people]
10.
better be the head of an ass than the tail of a horse [= a piece of advice saying that it is better to be in a less important but comfortable position than to be in a more important but troublesome or dangerous position]
11.
a king without learning is but a crowned ass [= a proverb used to say that an uneducated person in a high position or power is like an ass with a crown on]
12.
to seek wool on an ass = to expect too much from too little
13.
honey is not for the ass’s mouth [= a proverb saying that pleading (requesting) will not make fools to understand or cooperate; gentle or good words will not make an unreasonable person calm or wise]
14.
to plow (plough) with the ass and the ox = to work with a badly matched gang or team of workers; to arrange things badly, without proper order
15.
an ass with two panniers = (‘pannier’ means a basket) a man with a woman on each arm, i.e. a woman on each side of him
16.
an ass between two bundles of hay = a person who is unable to decide or come to a decision; a waverer
17.
an ass was never cut out for a lap-dog [= (a ‘lap-dog’ is small cute dog that is always kept on the lap of the master) a proverb saying that it is not good to pamper (= show too much affection on a person and do things they like) a person who does not deserve that or who cannot appreciate pampering (such people usually misuse the affection shown to them)]
18.
better an ass that carries you than a horse that throws you down = it is better to have a person with low social status as a friend than to have a better person who may try to bully you or become an enemy
19.
if all men say you are an ass, then bray [= a proverb saying that it is better for you to behave like what the other people think you are – live up to your reputation]
20.
as ass loaded with gold climbs to the top of a castle = wealth brings worldly success more readily or easily than the real ability
21.
he’d steal the cross off an ass’s back [= a proverb saying that (of a person) capable of stooping down to a very low level of meanness, i.e. he can cheat or steal from a blind beggar for the few coins the beggar has]
About the Author:BC Kumar
BC Kumar, an English Language Teacher, taught in numerous countries including Ethiopia, Oman and India, shares his knowledge and passion for the English Language. Disclaimer: This is a free educational website and all content has been compiled by the author. All copyrights to images and videos belong to their respective owners.
