Interesting English Idioms by Sean Tsien

Keep the wolf from the door

ryaninnermon — 2014-05-22 11:58:07 UTC

to maintain oneself at the most basic level

e.g. My friend's part-time job is enough for him to keep the wolf from the door.

Keep the wolves at bay

ryaninnermon — 2014-05-22 12:00:19 UTC

to fight against some kind of trouble

e.g. Many people are angry about the new tax. The government has to work hard to keep the wolves at bay.

A leopard can't change its spots.

ryaninnermon — 2014-05-22 12:02:47 UTC

you cannot change someone's basic human nature or bad qualities.

e.g. The manager wrote a letter of apology to the customer but a leopard can't change its spots. The manager has not changed and the letter does not mean anything.