San Fermín: bull and cow idioms
Continuing with our Saints theme, we come to the second big summer festival, San Fermín, celebrated every year in Pamplona from 6th-14th July. This is perhaps the most famous Spanish fiesta worldwide and the main event is the encierro, which involves running through the streets being chased by bulls. If that's not your cup of tea, why not try learning these bull and cow idioms in English?
A bull in a china shop = un elefante en una cacharrería
Hit the bull's eye = dar en el blanco
Take the bull by the horns = tomar el toro por los cuernos
A cock and bull story = un cuento chino
A cash cow = una mina de oro
Have a cow = get very angry or upset about something
Eg. Bart Simpson is famous for his phrase "don't have a cow, man!" when he tries to calm someone down.
Until the cows come home = until very late/early morning
Until the cows come home = until very late/early morningEg. They partied until the cows came home.
As awkward as a cow on roller skates = someone who looks very awkard
Eg. She was the only one in fancy dress at the party and looked as awkward as a cow on rolloer skates.
Athough bulls aren't widely used in festivals in anglophone culture, like in Spain, comparable events in North America involving them are rodeos; such as the Calgary Stampede in Canada, which takes place during the exact same dates as San Fermín. For those of you, like myself, who won't be going to Pamplona this year, you can still get in the spirit by learning some of these expressions in English. Go on! Take the bull by the horns!