hen (redirected from as scarce as hen's teeth)

*mad as a hornet and *mad as a wet hen; *mad as hell

very angry. (*Also: as ~. Use hell with caution.) You make me so angry. I'm as mad as a hornet. What you said made Mary mad as a wet hen. Those terrorists make me mad as hell.

See also: hornet, mad

*scarce as hen's teeth and scarcer than hen's teeth

Cliché scarce; seldom found. (*Also: as ~.) I do declare, decent people are as scarce as hen's teeth in these chaotic times. Handmade lace is scarcer than hen's teeth; most lace is made by machine.

See also: scarce, teeth

He that would have eggs must endure the cackling of hens.

Prov. You must be willing to endure unpleasant, irritating things in order to get what you want. Sue: I'm tired of working after school. All the customers at the store are so rude. Mother: But you wanted money to buy a car. He that would have eggs must endure the cackling of hens, dear.

See also: egg, endure, have, must

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a hen night/party  (British & Australian)

a party for women only, especially one that is organized for a woman who is soon going to get married Barbara's having her hen night a week before the wedding.

See also: night

be as scarce as hen's teeth  (American & Australian)

to be very difficult or impossible to find It was the President's inauguration and hotel rooms in Washington were as scarce as hen's teeth.

See also: scarce, teeth