A family of three (father, mother and a five-year-old son) went to a restaurant and ordered varieties of food. When the food was served at the table, the boy asked his mother, “Mom, are bugs good to eat?” The lady replied, “That’s disgusting. Don’t you know that you shouldn’t talk about things like that while eating?” The boy asked his mom again, “Are insects really tasty?” “Keep quiet and eat. If you talk about such things I won’t take you to any restaurant hereafter,” the mother warned him. After dinner when they reached home, the mother asked the boy, “My son, why did you talk about bugs at the restaurant?” The boy replied, “I noticed a small bug in your soup, but now it’s gone.”
In English, there are many idiomatic expressions about bugs and insects and these expressions are used in our day-to-day conversations. First, let us look at the word ‘bug’. It has multiple meanings in English. As a noun, it has the following meanings: i) an insect, ii) an illness, iii) an error, iv) a tiny hidden microphone, v) an obsessive idea. Here are examples of how the word is used in different contexts:
As a verb, ‘bug’ has multiple meanings. Here are some of the meanings: i) to irritate/bother, ii) to confuse/puzzle, iii) hide a microphone in a room. The word ‘bugger’ is used to describe a person who does annoying or stupid things. There are many interesting ‘bug’ and ‘insect’ expressions in English. Learners of English will find these idioms very useful. What is the meaning of the expression ‘as snug as a bug in a rug’? If someone is said to be as snug as a bug in a rug, they are said to be very warm and cozy.
If you put a bug in someone’s ear about something, you give a hint to someone about something. In simpler terms, it means “to encourage someone to do not to do something”. The expression has a positive connotation.
The expression “to put a flea in someone’s ear” has an entirely different meaning and a negative connotation. When you put a flea in someone’s ear, you reprimand the person for doing something not good or not desirable. It is used to express your disapproval or to send someone away with a strong rebuke. When you say that something is a flea in your ear, you mean that is an unwelcome idea or reply.
A bug-eyed person has bulging eyes. The person’s eyes are sticking out.
“It's a beautiful tale, and today is a beautiful day without any bugs.” – Hugo Pratt