bird (redirected from strictly for the birds)

*free as a bird and *free as (the) air

Cliché carefree; completely free and unhindered. (*Also: as ~.) Jane is always happy and free as a bird. The convict escaped from jail and was as free as a bird for two days. No, I'm not married. I don't even have a girlfriend. I'm free as the air.

See also: free

bird in the hand is worth two in the bush

Prov. Having something for certain is better than the possibility of getting something better. I might get a better offer, but a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Bill has offered to buy my car for $3,000 cash. Someone else might pay more, but a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

See also: bush, hand, two, worth

bird's-eye view 

1. Lit. a view seen from high above. We got a bird's-eye view of Cleveland as the plane began its descent. From the top of the church tower you get a splendid bird's-eye view of the village.

2. Fig. a brief survey of something; a hasty look at something. The course provides a bird's-eye view of the works of Mozart, but it doesn't deal with them in enough detail for your purpose. All you need is a bird's-eye view of the events of World War II to pass the test.

See also: view

Birds in their little nests agree.

Prov. People who live together should try hard to get along peacefully. (Usually used to admonish children not to fight with each other.) Brother: She called me a name! Sister: I did not! He's a liar! Father: Now, now, kids—birds in their little nests agree. Let's not argue about this, guys. Birds in their little nests agree.

See also: agree, little, nest

Birds of a feather flock together.

Prov. Similar people tend to associate with each other. I always thought Amy was pretentious, and now she's going out with that snobbish boy, Louis. Birds of a feather flock together. George: Why do you think Donald is dishonest? Ned: All his friends are dishonest. Birds of a feather flock together.

See also: feather, flock, together

early bird 

1. . Fig. a person who gets up early. I never miss sunrise. I'm an early bird. The early birds were up at dawn and ready for breakfast.

2. Fig. a person who arrives early. The early birds get the best seats. There were some early birds who arrived before the party was set to start.

3. Fig. having to do with early arrival. (Usually hyphenated.) Early-bird arrivals will be given a free cup of coffee. The early-bird special this week is a free six-pack of iced tea for the first 100 visitors.

See also: early

eat like a bird

Fig. to eat only small amounts of food; to peck at one's food. Jane is very slim because she eats like a bird. Bill is trying to lose weight by eating like a bird.

See also: eat, like

Fine feathers make fine birds.

Prov. If you dress elegantly, people will think you are elegant. (Can be used ironically, to suggest that even though someone dresses well, he or she is not a high-class person.) Bill: I don't see why I should have to wear a necktie for a job interview. Jane: Fine feathers make fine birds.

See also: feather, fine, make

flip someone off and flip someone out; flip someone the bird

Sl. to give someone the finger, that is raise the middle finger, a rude sign. (The digitus impudicus.) The youth flipped the police officer off. Not a good idea. He flipped off the cop. You better not flip a cop out! The little kid flipped the cop the bird and didn't even know what it meant.

See also: flip

for the birds

worthless; undesirable. This television program is for the birds. Winter weather is for the birds.

It's an ill bird that fouls its own nest.

Prov. Only a foolish or dishonorable person would bring dishonor to his or her self or his or her surroundings.; Only a bad person would ruin the place where he or she lives. (See also foul one's own nest.) I don't like my new neighbor. Not only does he never mow his lawn, he covers it with all kinds of trash. It's an ill bird that fouls its own nest.

See also: foul, ill, nest

kill two birds with one stone

Fig. to solve two problems at one time with a single action. John learned the words to his part in the play while peeling potatoes. He was killing two birds with one stone. I have to cash a check and make a payment on my bank loan. I'll kill two birds with one stone by doing them both in one trip to the bank.

See also: kill, one, stone, two

little bird told me

Fig. a way of indicating that you do not want to reveal who told you something. (Sometimes used playfully, when you think that the person you are addressing knows or can guess who was the source of your information.) Jill: Thank you for the beautiful present! How did you know I wanted a green silk scarf? Jane: A little bird told me. Bill: How did you find out it was my birthday? Jane: A little bird told me.

See also: little, told

on the bird

available on satellite television. There is a whole lot of good stuff on the bird, but you need a receiving dish to get it. I get a huge book every month listing what programs are on the bird.

the birds and the bees

Euph. sex and reproduction. (See also .) My father tried to teach me about the birds and the bees. He's twenty years old and doesn't understand about the birds and the bees!

See also: and, bee

The early bird catches the worm.

Prov. If you wake up and get to work early, you will succeed. (Sometimes used to remark that someone is awake and working surprisingly early, as in the first example.) Fred: What are you doing in the office at 7:30 A.M.? Jane: The early bird catches the worm. I didn't expect to see you studying at the library at this hour of the morning. The early bird catches the worm, huh?

See also: catch, early, worm

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A bird in the hand (is worth two in the bush).

something that you say which means it is better to keep what you have than to risk losing it by trying to get something better If I were you I'd accept the money they're offering. After all, a bird in the hand...

See also: hand

a bird's eye view

a view from a very high place which allows you to see a large area We had a bird's eye view of the old town from the top of the city walls.

See also: eye, view

a bird-brain  (informal)

a stupid person He's just a bird-brain - he can't get anything right. (informal)

A little bird told me (so).

something that you say in order to let someone know that you are not going to tell them who gave you the information being discussed 'So who told you she'd got the job?' 'Oh, let's just say a little bird told me so.'

See also: little, told

an early bird

someone who gets up early in the morning Ellen's the early bird in this house, not me.

See also: early

as free as a bird

completely free to do what you want and without any worries She'd been travelling alone round the Greek islands for a year - free as a bird.

See also: free

be (strictly) for the birds  (American & Australian informal)

if you think something is for the birds, you think it is stupid and has no use Gambling, games of chance - that sort of thing is strictly for the birds.

Birds of a feather flock together.

something that you say which means people who have similar characters or similar interests will often choose to spend time together I saw the boy who stole my bag with that gang of trouble makers last night - well, birds of a feather flock together, they say.

See also: feather, flock, together

eat like a bird

to eat very little We went out for a meal, but she ate like a bird and hardly said a word.

See also: eat, like

flip/give somebody the bird  (American & Australian very informal)

to make a very impolite sign by raising your middle finger towards someone in order to show that you are angry with them If he'd shouted at me like that I'd have flipped him the bird.

See also: flip

kill two birds with one stone

to manage to do two things at the same time instead of just one, because it is convenient to do both I killed two birds with one stone and saw some old friends while I was in Leeds visiting my parents.

See also: kill, one, stone, two

The bird has flown.

something that you say which means that someone has escaped or disappeared It's no use searching any more. The bird has flown.

See eat like a bird

See also: has

the birds and the bees  (humorous)

if you tell someone, especially a child, about the birds and the bees, you tell them about sex My parents never actually sat down and told me about the birds and the bees.

See also: and, bee

The early bird catches the worm.

something that you say in order to tell someone that if they want to be successful they should do something immediately If you see a job that interests you, apply as soon as possible. The early bird catches the worm.

See also: catch, early, worm

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a bird in the hand

what you have or know is better than something you do not have or know Investors are focused on the bird in the hand, and not looking for new opportunities very much these days.

Usage notes: based on the full form, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, which is rarely used

Etymology: based on the idea that a person should catch one bird that is easy to catch rather than hoping to find more somewhere else

See also: hand

a bird's eye view

the appearance of something seen from above The large painting offers a bird's eye view that shows the layout of the ancient city.

Usage notes: sometimes used to show how an animal's view is different: A basement window gives you a dog's eye view of the world - all you see is the bottom of the fire hydrant and passing feet on the sidewalk.

See also: eye, view

for the birds

without value “What do you think of the new system?” “I think it's for the birds - it won't work.”

Etymology: based on the idea that birds eat seed, which is not worth much

kill two birds with one stone

to do two things at the same time using the effort needed to do only one I killed two birds with one stone and saw some old friends while I was in Louisiana visiting my parents.

See also: kill, one, stone, two