Like being savaged by a dead sheep

Definitions

• describe a particularly unpleasant or demoralizing experience
  Expressing a feeling of being attacked or criticized in a harsh and unexpected manner

Examples of Like being savaged by a dead sheep

• The presentation went disastrously, leaving me feeling like being savaged by a dead sheep.

  Just as being attacked by a lifeless animal would be both bewildering and painful, experiencing a complete failure in public can be just as confusing and distressing. The idiom "like being savaged by a dead sheep" is used to describe a situation marked by unexpected and humiliating failure, leaving the person involved disoriented and disheartened. In short, it highlights the irony of facing defeat at the hands of an unresponsive entity, much as the imagined "dead sheep" would be powerless to cause harm in reality.

• She was presented with a daunting workload that seemed like being savaged by a dead sheep.

  This idiom is used to describe a situation where someone is overwhelmed by an enormous and seemingly impossible task. The image of being savaged by a dead sheep is both absurd and shocking, emphasizing how overwhelming and unprepared for the task someone may feel.

• The critics tore into the artist's latest work, leaving her feeling like being savaged by a dead sheep.

  This idiom is frequently used to describe receiving harsh and critical feedback, highlighting the sense of being attacked and overwhelmed by negative judgments. The image of being attacked by a dead sheep is both absurd and surprising, enhancing the impact of the criticism and the negative emotions it evokes.

• The competition left the athlete feeling like being savaged by a dead sheep.

  This idiom is used to describe a situation where someone is completely outmatched or outperformed by their competitors. The image of being attacked by a dead sheep is both absurd and unexpected, underscoring the extent of the underdog's defeat and emphasizing how overwhelmed and powerless they may feel.

• The company's financial situation left the CEO feeling like being savaged by a dead sheep.

  This idiom is frequently used to describe a dire financial situation, highlighting the sense of being overwhelmed and attacked by debts and financial losses. The image of being attacked by a dead sheep is both absurd and shocking, emphasizing how helpless and unprepared for the financial disaster one may feel.

Conclusion

The idiom "like being savaged by a dead sheep" is used to describe a very unpleasant or demoralizing experience, often involving unexpected criticism or attack. It is a colorful and humorous way to convey a sense of being blindsided by negativity or harsh treatment.

Origin of "Like being savaged by a dead sheep"

The origin of this idiom can be traced back to the world of politics, where it was famously used by British politician Denis Healey in 1983. He used the phrase to describe his experience during a particularly brutal and unexpected attack by his political opponents. The unusual and vivid imagery of being attacked by a dead sheep captured the attention of the public and the phrase has since become a popular idiom in the English language. The idiom is often used in a humorous or sarcastic context to convey a feeling of being unfairly criticized or treated.