Pig idioms will help us sound more natural in our speaking and allow us to convey ourselves clearly. Let’s look at some of the more popular ones today in the English language.
Have you ever made a pig’s ear of something? That means you ruined it! Want to pig out? That means you’d like to eat lots! Here are 21 pig idioms!
Why do we use idioms?
We use English idioms, and by extension, today’s pig idioms to sound more natural, interesting, or affectionate in our language usage. It can add nuance and emotion to what we would like to say. For instance, we could call our children greedy when they eat all the candies. Or, we could call them a piggy! This has a slightly comical feeling to it, which may lighten the mood enough to discourage the child from being greedy in the future. This is a good article on why idioms are handy, also!
How to learn idioms and phrases easily
If we would like to learn idioms easily, for example, today’s pig idioms, there are a few steps we can use to simplify and hasten our learning process. Try this:
- Hear the idiom.
- Repeat it a few times. This gets your brain used to using it.
- Write it down. This helps you to remember the phrase.
- Try experimenting with each expression by making original sentences. Make sure you are grammatically correct with tense, etc.
- Review these sayings each we until you know them by heart.
If you would like to be a quick learner when it comes to understanding idioms and phrases easily, I wrote an article on that very topic, right here! I think you will find it useful.
Pig out on these 21 fun pig idioms
Pigs are social animals and develop bonds with each other. It stands to reason that there would be many idioms about these social animals. When did you last pig out? Have you told any porkies lately? Have any of your classmates made a pig’s ear of their homework? If you’re not sure what these pig phrases mean, do not fret! Here are 21 fun pig idioms for you to learn. Each piggy saying will include an example sentence, so make sure to repeat each one to better learn them.
- Guinea pig
A guinea pig is a test subject. If something new hasn’t been tried before, but you try it, then you are the guinea pig.
Class A are the guinea pigs for the new school curriculum.
2. Piggy
A “piggy” is a greedy person. This pig phrase is a somewhat affectionate, somewhat offensive term!
Olivia, you piggy! Did you finish all the cake?
3. Piggy bank
A piggy bank is a small box for saving money. It is often porcelain and shaped like a pig.
Parents often tell their children to put money in the piggy bank each month.
Related: Here is an article I wrote on idioms about birds. I think you will find it very informative!
4. Porky
This member of our piglet idioms is cockney rhyming slang for a lie. We can also say tell a pork pie.
Liam told a porky today. He said he was going to school, but he actually went to the mall!
5. Pigsty
A pigsty refers to a very messy or dirty place. Just like we’re pigs. In fact, pigs are very clean animals, but they do have the image of being dirty.
Charlotte, your bedroom is an absolute pigsty! Tidy it up right now!
6. Pig’s ear
To make a pig’s ear of something is to make a mess, or ruin something.
I have made a real pig’s ear of dinner today.
7. Pigs in a poke
This phrase is used when we buy something without first inspecting it.
People who buy pigs in a poke, often regret it afterward.
8. Pig out
This swine phrase means to eat a lot, and greedily. You might pig out if you’re really hungry.
I pigged out on a box of chocolates last night.
9. Sweat like a pig
This means sweating profusely.
During the football game, I was sweating like a pig!
10. Piggy in the middle
To be piggy in the middle means to be stuck between two other people.
We played a game, and I was piggy in the middle. I had to catch the ball as they were throwing it over me.
11. Pigs might fly
This swine expression is used when we are highly doubtful of something. We think something is impossible. An alternate version of this is if pigs could fly.
Emma said she was going to be famous. I told her, pigs might fly! Perhaps I was too harsh!
This is very similar to pig out. Instead of eating a lot, we are eating in a very messy and bad manner. Perhaps we are spilling our drink or food all over the table.
12. Eat like a pig
Martin eats like a pig! Does he think this is a zoo?
13. On the pig’s back
This hog saying means being successful and established.
I am living life on the pig’s back now that I own two businesses.
14. Pig in muck
Like a pig in muck means we are enjoying something extremely. It is like heaven for us. An alternative to this phrase is: like a pig in mud.
You are like a pig in mud! How long have you been playing that video game?
15. Happy as a pig in muck
Similar to the above like a pig in mud. It just attaches the adjective happy.
Greg is as happy as a pig in muck. He got not only a promotion at work but also a huge bonus!
16. Selfish pig
A selfish pig is one of our harsher pork sayings. It means an extremely selfish person. This is an offensive term.
Sandra, you selfish pig! Did you finish all the pie?
17. Sick as a pig
To be sick as a pig means to be really unwell. This addition to our pig idioms is best used to describe yourself or someone you know when they fell ill.
I’ve had a cold and I’ve been sick as a pig all week!
18. Be a pig
To be a pig is to act in an untidy or messy way. It is often attached to other terms in order to make them more extreme. For example, we might call someone sexist. But to make it more severe we could say you are a sexist pig! Use caution with this, because it is offensive.
Michael is such a pig! He left his dirty clothes all over the living room.
19. Pigs to market
This addition to our swine sayings means to achieve your potential. If we bring our pigs to market, then we do all the work necessary to achieve our goals.
I don’t think Olivia can really bring her pigs to market. Her work ethic isn’t strong enough.
20. Wrestle with a pig
This is a rather philosophical pig idiom. It goes something like this: If we argue or become involved with negative people, even if we are correct, we will be negatively influenced by them. It is better to remain positive and avoid negativity at all costs.
Arguing with him is like wrestling with a pig. It isn’t worth it.
21. You swine!
This hog saying is used when we are very angry or upset about something. When we think that someone has swindled us, we might say this. A swine is a very bad, devious person. Similar to a con man
Theodore is such a swine. He conned those people.
Pig sayings: Pig idioms in sentences
Here are some funny hog sayings in complete sentences to further practice today’s pig idioms!
| Porky | Quit telling porkies, please! | Often used affectionately, this means we should stop lying! You would probably use this with your child. |
| Piggy in the middle | Why am I always the piggy in the middle? | This means the person usually has to sit in the middle, perhaps in the car |
| A pig’s ear | You made a pig’s ear of supper, didn’t you? | This pig idiom is rather a strong one, and means you have ruined tonight’s meal! You have probably burned it or used too much salt! |
| A selfish pig | He is such a selfish pig! | This is a very frank and offensive comment. This pig idiom is used when we think someone has been extremely greedy. |
Things on a farm: not only pig idioms
Alongside our pigs and pig idioms, we can find many other things on a farm that are related to idioms. Most well-known animals have idioms about them. Horses have many sayings connected to them. Also, cows are commonly found on farms, sheep, and chickens.
| Farm idiom 1 | Pig out | to eat a great deal |
| Farm idiom 2 | Horse around | To joke and play |
| Farm idiom 3 | Cash Cow | A product that consistently performs well |
| Farm idiom 4 | The black sheep of the family | A family member who has a bad reputation |
Farm sayings: Not only pig idioms but…farming idioms!
Farms and farmers are integral to the running of any society. To the health and also economy of it. Did you know that each American farmer produces enough food and fiber for 165 people each year? Amazing! Along with today’s plethora of pig idioms, we can also use many farming idioms in our everyday English. They can help us not only sound more natural but also aid in our listening comprehension ability.
Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth: This means we should appreciate any and all help we receive.
Time to hit the hay: This means it is time to go to bed, it’s late in the day!
Be a sheep: This farm idiom means we are following others, and are afraid of doing our own thing.
Have a cow: This means to become angry or irate.
Pig idioms and how to learn them
Today we have looked at lots of pig idioms, from guinea pig to pig’s ear. When did you last make a pig’s ear of something? It wasn’t long ago for me! We have also learned how pronouncing, writing down, and making original statements with idioms can help us learn and remember them. We have also checked out some other farming idioms like have a cow! I hope you have found them useful!