Bee — Figures of Speech

1. a bee  =  (a) a meeting of people to work together or to take part in a competition, e.g. a spelling bee; a sewing bee; a knitting bee; a quilting bee (b) [also a “bee block”] a piece of wood used in large boats or ships with sails for tying ropes to the mast

2. a busy bee  =  (said of) a busy hard-working person

{a ‘busybody’ is a person who tries to interfere in others’ affairs without being asked to do so or invited – a negative connotation}

3. a bee-line  =  the most direct path; a straight line

4. the bee’s knee  =  (said of a person or thing) the best

5. the birds and the bees  =  the true and basic facts about sex

6. old beeswing  =  a happy drinker  (a person who feels happy drinking alcohol)

7. (a) as busy as a bee

(b) as crafty as a bee

8. as eident as midsummer bee (‘eident’ = hard-working; industrious)

9. as mimble as a bee in a tar-barrel (‘mimble’ = slightly drunk and moving here and there without aim or purpose)

10. (a) as big as a bee’s knee  =  not very big; very small

(b) as weak as a bee’s knee

11. like a bee in a bottle [said of someone reading without any expression or rhyme; and of any monotonous (without change or rhythm) sound

12. like a bee in a box  =  busy without any purpose or result

13. as thick as bees at tee-hole

(‘thick’ = crowded; ‘tee-hole’ = the entrance of a beehive)

14. honey is sweet but the bee stings [a proverb warning that there may be risk, danger or disadvantages behind something that is attractive or profitable, so be careful or watchful]

15. the still bee gathers no honey  =  if you don’t work, you don’t get any profit or gain

16. a bee has honey in its mouth, but a sting in its tail [a proverb warning that the attractive things or persons may lead you to trouble or danger]

17. old bees yield no honey  [a proverb saying that one should not expect old people to be very agreeable or cooperative, or even productive]

18. a bee in (his/one’s) bonnet  =  a fixed idea that stays on a person’s mind, or an idea (or something else) that a person keeps thinking or talking about all the time

19. to have a bee in one’s bonnet  =  a little crazy; to be continually thinking about one idea

20. to make a bee-line for something or somewhere  = to go to some place (for something or someone) directly and quickly

21. a bee was never caught in a shower [a proverb saying that a good and alert worker keeps her- or himself out of trouble or danger]