moth

drawn to (something) like a moth to a flame

Eagerly drawn or attracted to something. (Bright lights often attract moths.) I had always liked art, and once I got to college, I was drawn to textile design like a moth to a flame My toddler is drawn to anything that could be remotely dangerous like a moth to a flame. I knew from the outset that our relationship was doomed for failure, yet I was drawn to her like a moth to a flame.

See also: drawn, flame, like, moth, to

let the moths out of (one's) purse

To stop being so frugal. The image suggests that one's purse is opened so rarely that moths have been able to take up residence inside. Come on, you can buy a beautiful new car like this. Let the moths out of your purse for once. Good luck getting him to let the moths out of her purse and spring for dinner.

See also: let, moth, of, out, purse

let the moths out of (one's) wallet

To stop being so frugal. The image suggests that one's wallet is opened so rarely that moths have been able to take up residence inside. Come on, you can buy a beautiful new car like this. Let the moths out of your wallet for once. Good luck getting him to let the moths out of his wallet and spring for dinner.

See also: let, moth, of, out, wallet

like a moth to a flame

With intense and immediate interest. We brought out the water slide for the party and the kids came running like moths to a flame. Whenever I park my Ferrari, there's inevitably someone who wants to come gawk at it, like a moth to a flame.

See also: flame, like, moth, to

like a moth to the flame

With intense and immediate attraction. Likened to the attraction of moths to bright lights. We brought out the water slide for the party and the kids came running like moths to the flame. Whenever I park my Ferrari, there's inevitably someone who wants to come gawk at it, like a moth to the flame.

See also: flame, like, moth, to

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

drawn like a moth to a flame

Fig. attracted [to someone or some event] instinctively or very strongly, as a moth is drawn to the light of a flame. Customers were drawn to the sale like a moth to aflame. They came from all over and bought up everything in the store.

See also: drawn, flame, like, moth, to

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

like a moth to a flame

If a person is attracted to someone or something like a moth to a flame, they are strongly attracted to them. The bright lights of west London drew Kharin like a moth to a flame. Girls were around him like moths to a flame. Note: This expression is very variable. For example, you can talk about moths around a flame, or replace flame with candle. Men flock around her like moths around a flame.

See also: flame, like, moth, to

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

like a moth to the flame

irresistibly attracted to someone or something.

See also: flame, like, moth, to

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017