Idioms based on Nature 2

flowery speech

full of lovely words but probably lacking in substance

gild the lily

decorate something that is already ornate

come up smelling of roses

emerge from a situation with your reputation undamaged.

no bed of roses

a difficult situation

pushing up the daisies

dead

lead someone up the garden path

to deceive or give false information that leads to wasted time

beat about the bush

state something in an unclear manner, making it difficult to understand

knock on wood

wish for good luck

grass roots

ordinary people or voters / bottom of a hierarchy

kick something into the long grass

an issue pushed aside or hidden in the hope that it will be forgotten

draw the short straw

to lose/ be chosen to carry out an unpleasant task

 clutch at straws

to try anything in order to get out of serious trouble even though the chances of success are probably nil

it’s a jungle out there!

a dangerous situation without rules

offer the olive branch

make a gesture to indicate you want peace

mighty oaks from little acorns grow

great / big things start very small

up a gum tree

in a big mess / in trouble

the rough end of the stick

to be treated unfairly

wither on the vine

fail to get the intended result / something doesn’t come to fruition

go to seed

to have declined in quality or appearance

the grass is always greener

what other people have or do looks preferable to our life