Butterfly — Figures of Speech

butterfly eggs

1. butterfly  =  (noun)

(a) a silly, useless person

(b) a person who treats others lightly or in a casual way

(c) a person who changes friends or lovers quite easily and frequently, like a butterfly going from flower to flower for nectar or pollen (called ‘flirting’)

(d) a person who never stays with one interest or in one job

(e) something that looks like (resembles) a butterfly in having parts that can be spread out like wings: ‘butterfly chair’, ‘butterfly table’, etc.

(f) a feeling of unease or mild omitting sensation caused when a person is waiting for something

caterpillars

2. to butterfly  =  (verb)

(a)  to behave with a person of opposite sex in a way that attracts attention

(b) to change friends or lovers quite often and easily

(c) (said of a man) to make love to a woman without serious intentions or permanent relationship

3. butterfly or butterfly stroke  =  a way or style of swimming

4. butterfly kiss  =  a gentle touch given by fluttering (closing or opening) the eye-lashes against someone’s skin

5. butterfly cabman  =  a taxi driver who runs his taxi only in summer season

chrysalis

6. as gaudy as a butterfly (‘gaudy’ = too brightly coloured)

7. as light as a butterfly

8. (a)  to break a butterfly on a wheel

(b)  a butterfly broken on the wheel [said of a young beautiful woman spoilt or ruined by the present cruel social customs or system]

9. to have butterflies in one’s stomach  =  to feel discomfort in one’s stomach because of anxiety or nervousness

butterfly emerging

10. take not a musket to kill a butterfly [said to mean that it is not advisable to use more force than is necessary; not to deal simple things with too much or unnecessary force or effort] (‘musket’ = an old model gun)

11. butterfly nut or butterfly screw (also ‘wing nut’)  =  a nut or screw (device) with two flat projections, like the wings of a butterfly, which allow it to be turned to tighten something with fingers