1. Smoke

    Smoke New Member

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    nervous idiom?

    Discussion in 'Research' started by Smoke, Mar 4, 2011.

    I seem to recall a saying that goes "nervous as prey in a den of predators," but I can't remember the animals involved.

    I'd like to know what area you're from as well, since I imagine someone from Wyoming would say it different than someone using the expression in another country.

    I want to use real-world expressions for one character and fake expressions for everyone else.
     
  2. Anonym

    Anonym New Member

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    Hmmm, I'm too tempted to make a bunch of politically incorrect jokes ("Nervous as an alcoholic at a MAAD meeting" type thing..), so I'll go with: "Nervous as a hare in a coyote den."

    From norcal. Heard it on tv or something probably. Hope it helps :p
     
  3. Preacher

    Preacher New Member

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    The closest I can come are two I heard a lot while growing up:

    As nervous as a virgin in a whore house.
    As nervous as a whore in church.

    Then there is the other side:

    As happy as a fox in a chicken coop.
     
  4. Leonardo Pisano

    Leonardo Pisano Active Member

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    Why don't you make up one? It's better than something known, and the message can be as clear.

    I heard once: "He is as useless as an ashtray on a motorbike" Don't you think that's more powerful than any known expression?
     
  5. Smoke

    Smoke New Member

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    It's a contrast thing. She's from the real world, everyone else is from a fantasy culture. I make up plenty of bizarre expressions for everyone else.

    Maybe I'm mixing up "cat in a roomful of rocking chairs" with "Daniel in the Lion's Den."
     
  6. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

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    ditto on the 'make up your own' advice... don't rely on a tired old cliche, be original!
     

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