catch a crab
To make a poor stroke while rowing, perhaps by missing the water entirely. The boat jerked as I caught a crab with my oar. A: "Geez, it's like you've never rowed before!" B: "I'm sorry, it's not like I'm trying to catch a crab here." That's OK, even the most experienced rowers catch a crab sometimes.
crab mentality
A negative, selfish mentality characterized by a preference for others not to get ahead of or do better than oneself. It alludes to a phenomenon of a group of crabs in a pot, in which an escaping crab is pulled back down by the others so that none escape in the end. She dreamt of going to college and beginning a better life, but her parents' and friends' crab mentality constantly discouraged her from leaving the sordid life in which they were entrenched. I knew I would never move to Hawaii if I kept subjecting myself to my family and their crab mentality. If this crab mentality works for you guys, then good for you. I want to get out of here, though!
draw the crabs
"Crabs" refers to "crab shells," perhaps a pun on the shells of bullets and artillery. Primarily heard in Australia.
1. military slang To cause an enemy to fire at one; to draw fire. Stay low so they can't see you. You don't want to draw the crabs and get yourself killed! The soldier ran into the open and drew the crabs away from the rest of his squad. What, are you trying to draw the crabs? Stay in the bunker, you fool!
2. informal By extension, to attract unwanted attention. The celebrity wore a floppy hat and big sunglasses at the local coffee shop in an attempt to avoid drawing the crabs. It didn’t work, though—a crowd flocked to her almost immediately. He quickly tucked the winnings away inside his coat pocket, lest he draw the crabs on his way home. Don't you think that letting her go out with a security detail will attract the crabs? As long as she's in danger, she needs to stay in the safe house!
old crab
An eccentric or irritable older person, especially one whose views or attitudes are considered boring or old-fashioned. Ah, don't mind that old crab. He's just set in her ways. I've fully embraced that I'm going to be a grumpy old crab by the time I'm in my 60s.
you cannot make a crab walk straight
proverb There is no point trying to accomplish something that is not actually possible. (Crabs are known for walking sideways.) Why are you try to teach her this game when she clearly isn't interested? You cannot make a crab walk straight, you know. A: "Billy's trying to mix oil and water again." B: "Oh boy. Someone needs to tell him that you can't make a crab walk straight."
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.