What does he like? vs. What’s he like?

What does he like? vs. What’s he like? (What is he like?)

At first, these two questions appear to be asking the same thing. Actually, they are asking two completely different questions.

What does he like?

Here, “like” is used as a verb. This question is asking about another person’s preferences – the food a person likes to eat, the books he likes to read, the music he likes to listen to, the TV programs or movies he likes to watch, the sports he likes to do, and so on:

• I love reading books. What do you like to do in your spare time?
• John likes spaghetti and Mary likes grilled salmon. What does Tom like?
• Christmas is coming. What toys do the kids like?

What’s he like?

Here, “like” is used as a preposition. This question is actually asking you to describe a person in some way. It is asking you about someone’s character, habits, appearance, or other unique characteristic.

• You work for Ebenezer Scrooge, don't you? What's he like? --He's an old skinflint, and refuses to spend a penny more than he has to.
• Have you met Mark? What’s he like? --He’s tall, dark and handsome.
• How was your first day of school? What’s your new teacher like? --She seems like a nice lady, but I think she’ll give us a lot of homework!

We can also use “What’s --- like?” to ask for a description of a place or thing instead of a person:

• I heard you saw the new movie. What’s it like? --It’s a spy movie, with a lot of adventure.
• Did you go to Niagara Falls on your vacation? What’s it like? --Oh, it’s amazing.

Idiom Focus: Animal Idioms 13

Every Saturday I'll give you a couple of idioms to learn. An idiom is a saying or phrase whose meaning cannot be taken from the literal meanings of the words.

get off one’s high horse: to stop being arrogant, to begin to be humble and agreeable

Example:
Maybe more people would like Sam if he got off his high horse, instead of boasting about how much money he has.

go ape: to go crazy or act wildly with excitement; get agitated

Example:
The children went ape as soon as they reached the playground, and ran excitedly from one piece of equipment to the other.

Idiom Focus: Animal Idioms 12

Every Saturday I'll give you a couple of idioms to learn. An idiom is a saying or phrase whose meaning cannot be taken from the literal meanings of the words.

get someone’s goat: to irritate or annoy someone, especially on purpose

Example:

In school some of the boys used to throw paper airplanes, and really get the teacher’s goat.

get on one’s high horse: to act superior and bossy

Example:

He’s such a know-it-all, always getting on his high horse and bossing the other workers around.

Idiom Focus: Animal Idioms 11

Every Saturday I'll give you a couple of idioms to learn. An idiom is a saying or phrase whose meaning cannot be taken from the literal meanings of the words.

every dog has his day: Everyone will get an opportunity.

Example:

He’s been working for his dad for years, ever since he graduated from college. Someday he’ll take over the family business – every dog has his day, after all.

fraidy cat: Someone who scares easily, usually used by children. Also called a scairdy cat.


Example:

I dare you to ring Boo Radley’s doorbell – just go ahead and do it, you fraidy cat!

Idiom Focus: Animal Idioms 10

Every Saturday I'll give you a couple of idioms to learn. An idiom is a saying or phrase whose meaning cannot be taken from the literal meanings of the words.

eager beaver: someone who is a diligent worker, or looks forward to working on a project or similar task.

Example:

He is such an eager beaver when it comes to yard work – he takes pride in his backyard garden.

eat like a horse: eat a lot, have a good appetite

Example:

Are you sure you have enough food for the party? Several kids on Tom’s football team are coming, and they all eat like a horse.

Idiom Focus: Animal Idioms 9

Every Saturday I'll give you a couple of idioms to learn. An idiom is a saying or phrase whose meaning cannot be taken from the literal meanings of the words.

donkey’s years/coon’s age: a very long time

Example:

How are you doing, Sam? I haven’t seen you in a coon’s age.

dumb bunny: someone who is stupid or naïve

Example:

Don’t be a dumb bunny. Be sure you take your cell phone with you when you go out alone after dark.

Idiom Focus: Animal Idioms 8

Every Saturday I'll give you a couple of idioms to learn. An idiom is a saying or phrase whose meaning cannot be taken from the literal meanings of the words.

dark horse: In an election, a dark horse candidate is one unexpectedly nominated, who previously had not been considered a likely choice.

Example:

Abraham Lincoln was a dark horse Republican candidate who became the 16th president of the United States.

dog-eat-dog: indicating all-out competition, fighting and doing whatever it takes to win or be successful; having a “kill or be killed” mentality in business or other competition.

Example:

Pressure to get into a top-name university results in dog-eat-dog competition and widespread cheating among some high school students.

Idiom Focus: Animal Idioms 7

Every Saturday I'll give you a couple of idioms to learn. An idiom is a saying or phrase whose meaning cannot be taken from the literal meanings of the words.

cry wolf: to pretend that you are in danger when you are not; give a false alarm. This idiom comes from Aesop’s fable about the boy who cried wolf – each time he yelled that a wolf was attacking his sheep, all the villagers came running to help him fight the wolf. They were angry at the boy for fooling them about the wolf, so when he really did see a wolf, no one came when he cried for help.

Example:

Stop crying wolf. If you continue to say that a bully is harassing you when he really isn’t, no one will believe you when it does happen.

curiosity killed the cat: People who are curious and wonder about things that are none of their business will get into trouble (create problems for themselves).

Example:

Mind your own business and don’t worry about what other people are doing. Curiosity killed the cat.

Idiom Focus: Animal Idioms 6

Every Saturday I'll give you a couple of idioms to learn. An idiom is a saying or phrase whose meaning cannot be taken from the literal meanings of the words.

change horses in midstream: to make a change in plans or leadership during a critical moment

Example:

Originally we had planned to drive to California for summer vacation, but when our car broke down in Texas, we had to change horses in midstream, and ended up staying in Amarillo the whole time.

copycat: someone who imitates the actions or work of another.

Example:

Babies are natural copycats. They learn by imitating the behavior of others.

Idiom Focus: Animal Idioms 5

Every Saturday I'll give you a couple of idioms to learn. An idiom is a saying or phrase whose meaning cannot be taken from the literal meanings of the words.

cat got one’s tongue: Can’t speak because of shyness, surprise, etc.

Example:

What’s the matter – cat got your tongue? I asked you what you did with the car keys! Don’t tell me you lost them!

cat nap: A short nap taken during the day. This idiom comes from the observation that cats tend to take frequent, brief naps throughout the day, and are easily awakened.

Example:

The security guard was fired for catnapping on the job.

Idiom Focus: Animal Idioms 4

Every Saturday I'll give you a couple of idioms to learn. An idiom is a saying or phrase whose meaning cannot be taken from the literal meanings of the words.

cash cow: A cash cow is an idea that is a good way to make money – usually lots of it!

Example:

Lee decided to open up a dry cleaning store. He heard that a cleaner’s would be a cash cow, and he wants to be able to send some extra money home for his parents.

cast pearls before swine: “To cast” means “to throw,” and “swine” means “pigs.” So, “to cast pearls before swine” means to give something valuable or precious to someone who doesn’t or wouldn’t appreciate it. (This expression comes from the Bible, from a saying of Jesus.)

Example:

John doesn’t really enjoy classical music. Playing your violin for him is just casting your pearls before swine.

Idiom Focus: Animal Idioms III

Every Saturday I'll give you a couple of idioms to learn. An idiom is a saying or phrase whose meaning cannot be taken from the literal meanings of the words. Here are some more animal idioms.

bull in a china shop: Someone who is not careful about what he says or thinks. Here, china refers to the high-quality porcelain that is used for making dishes. A bull in a china shop, therefore, would probably knock over and break many glass objects, making a big mess.

Example:

Henry has no manners at all. He’s like a bull in a china shop, irritating everyone with his lack of common courtesy.

buy a pig in a poke: To buy something without seeing it or checking it out first to make sure there is nothing wrong with it. Here, a poke is a bag or a sack. Someone who bought a heavy bag without first looking inside it might get home and find that he bought some other animal instead of the pig he thought he was getting.

Example:

I’m unhappy with the camera I bought online. The seller said it was in excellent condition, but when I got it, it was all scratched up, and the buttons are difficult to use. That’s the last time I buy a pig in a poke by getting something over the internet.

Idiom Focus: Animal Idioms II

Every Saturday I'll give you a couple of idioms to learn. An idiom is a saying or phrase whose meaning cannot be taken from the literal meanings of the words. I thought I'd start off with some animal idioms.

one’s bark is worse than one’s bite: What one says is worse than what one actually does.

Don’t be concerned about that teacher – his bark is much worse than his bite. He always threatens to give tough tests, but as long as you keep up with the homework, you’ll do fine.

bet on the wrong horse: To bet on the wrong horse is to misjudge the outcome of an election, etc.

Tom let his personal feelings cloud his thinking when he supported Bob for student council president. Bob is a good friend, but Tom just bet on the wrong horse.

Here is another example of "betting on the wrong horse" for you to take a look at.

Idiom Focus: Animal Idioms I

Every Saturday I'll give you a couple of idioms to learn. An idiom is a saying or phrase whose meaning cannot be taken from the literal meanings of the words. I thought I'd start off with some animal idioms.

badger someone: A badger is a animal that digs holes in the ground, but to badger someone is to annoy them by constantly asking them for something or by harassing them.

Example:
The children badgered their mother for some cookies.


bark up the wrong tree: To bark up the wrong tree is to follow a wrong solution to a problem.

Example:
You think Jim took your history book? You're barking up the wrong tree - Jim hates history!