The English language has been using idioms for donkey's years, with enough zany sayings to cobble dogs with - even if some are a little hairy at the heels.

But if you thought our expressions were the cat's pyjamas, you'll love this selection of delightful and evocative colloquialisms put together by online travel retailer Hotel Club.

Taken from languages around the world, they range from the inspired to the ridiculous. A surprising number reference animals (wolves, hares and cats all put in an appearance) and still more are brilliantly redolent of particular thoughts or images.

Our favourite? "To let a frog out of your mouth", which is a very apt Finnish idiom for saying the wrong thing. We also love "not my circus, not my monkey" which is a Polish saying, meaning not my problem.

Find out more in the gallery and rejoice in the unanimous joy that is language play.

Around the world in idioms: weird, wonderful and wacky expressions from languages across the globe