Explains the meaning and origin of a selection of English language idioms, using each in a sentence.

Do you have an "eagle-eye" for a bargain? Have you ever been "hounded" by a "loan-shark" or hustled by a "pool-shark"? Have you been the victim of a "stool-pigeon" or a "rat", or the "scapegoat" for some "foxy" character's misdeeds? Expressions like these lend color and character to our everyday conversation. Many of them are so familiar that we rarely pause to wonder how or when they came into use in the language. But their origins are fascinating to discover and fun to share.

Have you ever wondered how someone can be “in a pickle” when pickles are so small, or why mothers say you’re “on thin ice” even when you’re indoors? Are you perplexed that your father “brings home the bacon” but is a strict vegetarian? Will Moses has the answers, and sheds light not only on these idioms but dozens more with Raining Cats and Dogs. Using his trademark folk-art style, Moses infuses a sense of mischief and humor into these often puzzling phrases, educating readers while entertaining them.

Describes the origins and meanings to a number of animal expressions that are used in everyday language.

Have you ever heard an idiom and you took it literally? Idiom - as in that phrase - for example, "It's Raining Cats and Dogs!" Well, in this story a fifth grade student called Jade is just like some guys his age who can get into a "slippery" situation when he took an idiom literally. When his mom came home, she told him that it was "raining cats and dogs" so he had to do a "raincheck" on those dogs and cats from the heaven! Which got him into a "slippery" situation but not literally.