a black sheep
A member of a family or group who is very different from the others and often disapproved of.
Example: He was always considered the black sheep of the family.
B114 words · Intermediate
People & Character vocabulary — B1
People and character idioms for describing what somebody is like, with phrases like a black sheep, a bookworm and an open book for personality and behaviour.
14 questions
Words in this set
14a copy cat
Someone who imitates what another person does, says, or wears.
Example:
Stop being a copycat and choose your own style.
a social butterfly
Someone who moves easily between many groups of people and enjoys spending time with everyone.
Example:
At every party, she's a social butterfly, chatting with everyone.
a bookworm
Someone who loves reading and spends a lot of time doing it.
Example:
My sister has always been a bookworm.
a good egg
A kind, honest, and reliable person.
Example:
Everyone agrees he's a good egg who always helps out.
a tough cookie
A strong, determined person who doesn't give up easily, even in difficult situations.
Example:
She's a tough cookie — nothing seems to discourage her.
a party animal
Someone who loves going out and socializing, especially at lively social gatherings.
Example:
She's a party animal — she never misses a night out.
a soft touch
Someone who is easily persuaded to give money or help, especially because they are too kind.
Example:
Ask Dad for money — he's a soft touch.
a big shot
An important or powerful person, especially in business or politics.
Example:
He acts like a big shot since his promotion.
a busybody
Someone who is too interested in other people's personal matters and likes to interfere.
Example:
The neighbor is such a busybody, always asking questions.
an open book
Someone whose thoughts and feelings are easy to read.
Example:
He is an open book and would be hopeless at cards.
the life and soul of the party
The person who makes an event enjoyable.
Example:
She was the life and soul of the party and left at nine.
a sore loser
Someone who becomes unpleasant after losing.
Example:
Nobody plays cards with him because he is a sore loser.
a stickler
Someone who insists on things being done correctly.
Example:
She is a stickler for punctuation and nobody argues.
