put salt on the tail of (someone or something)
put salt on the tail of (someone or something)
obsolete To try to capture or encapsulate someone or something. An allusion to the folk method of capturing birds by sprinkling salt on their tail feathers. We spend so much time putting salt on the tail of an ideal version of life—more money, more property, better status—that we forget to enjoy our present circumstances.
See also: of, on, put, salt, tail
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
put salt on the tail of
capture.This phrase alludes to the humorous advice traditionally given to young children about the best way to catch a bird.
See also: of, on, put, salt, tail
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- put salt on the tail of
- fight (someone or something) hammer and tongs
- fight hammer and tongs
- Earth to (someone)
- earth to someone
- feeler
- have the/(one's) feelers out
- get in/into one's hair, to
- strike out at (something or some place)
- hit (something) out of the (ball)park