Are you a cat or dog person? Personally I prefer cats, they are independent, so it doesn't take too much effort to look after them, and while they meow, it is nothing compared to the annoyance of a dog bark. In fact, I grew up with both a cat and a dog in my life. Me and my family had a cat and my granddad had a dog. I spent many hours walking my granddad's dog, sat in the back of his car listening to the dog panting after a run, and trying to avoid his saliva and slobber from getting on my clothes....

Nowadays, I won't lie, I am a bit afraid of dogs, especially when I see a stray dog or a dog not on a lead, but I do feel a little more at ease when I see a dog with a muzzle, that way I know I'm safe from a dog nipping me or biting me which has happened to me twice, in the same place.... by two different dogs, both the same breed.

We have some useful idioms and expressions connected with animals that are pretty useful. I have chosen 10 which I think are most appropriate for everyday life.

1 – The elephant in the room – a topic or situation everyone is thinking but nobody is saying.
Example: OK, I'll get the elephant in the room out of the way first, Mike has left the company.

2 – To not give a monkey's (toss) – to not show interest or care for something.
Example: Honestly, I don't give a monkey's who gets the job as long as nothing changes in the department.

3 – Let the cat out of the bag – to accidentally reveal information.
Example: Milan? Err, oh no… I've let the cat out of the bag. It was supposed to be a surprise.

4 – To go to the dogs – when the quality of something becomes worse.
Example: I stopped going to The Ship. It has gone to the dogs since they changed owners.

5 – To go cold turkey – to give up something suddenly without help.
Example: He gave up smoking. He went cold turkey.

6 – To be a snake – someone who is friendly to your face but criticises behind your back.
Example: Really? He said that? What a snake.

7 – To open a can of worms – to create more problems by saying or doing something.
Example: Don't mention his car, I don't want to open that can of worms.

8 – Dog eat dog – very competitive; survival of the strongest.
Example: It's a dog-eat-dog business.

9 – A bull in a china shop – someone very clumsy.
Example: Don't let Tim in the kitchen, he's like a bull in a china shop.

10 – The world's your oyster – when you have many opportunities and few limits.
Example: When you finish university, the world’s your oyster.