It doesn't mean what you think!

What is a wet blanket, a dark horse, or a rain check?

Below is a list of ten phrases that are rather tricky to understand the first time you hear them or read them mainly because at first they give the impression of having a literal meaning. However, if you pay closer attention to the context, you will soon realise that they're, in fact, English idioms!

1. a wet blanket
if you call someone a wet blanket, you mean that they ruin other people's fun by being boring and miserable or by disapproving of their activities 

Example: 
- Oh gosh, I'd rather have stayed home. Why did we have to come here? It's so crowded and the music is almost deafening, I can't stand it.
- Oh, don't be such a wet blanket, Tom! Stop complaining, get yourself another drink, and try to have some fun. OK?

2. rain check
if you say you'll take a rain check on something, you mean that you cannot accept an invitation or offer now but you would like to do so at a later time

Example:
Do you mind if I take a rain check on that drink? I don't feel like going out tonight. 

3. a dark horse
a person who has interesting qualities or abilities that most people do not know about

Example:
The shy little girl turned out to be a dark horse in the dancing competition. No one knew she could dance so gracefully. 

It may also mean "a secretive person".

Example:
You're such a dark horse! Why didn't you tell me you'd got promoted?

​4. let the cat out of the bag
to reveal a secret or a surprise by accident

Example:
I was trying to keep my pregnancy a secret because I wanted to find a creative and fun way to make the announcement to my parents, but my husband let the cat outside of the bag and ruined the surprise. 

5. Mum's the word
a request or pledge (= promise) to keep something a secret 

Example:
- Please don't tell my brother that I borrowed his car last night. He'll be furious if he finds out.
- Don't worry, your secret is safe with me. Mum's the word!

6. put the cat among the pigeons
if a remark or action sets / puts the cat among the pigeons, it causes unrest, worry, or anger among a lot of people

Example:
When asked for a preventive measure against school shootings, little did the US President know that his controversial idea of training and arming one million school teachers would put the cat among the pigeons and cause nation-wide unrest.  

7. stop and smell the roses
to become calm and reflect upon the finer or more enjoyable aspects of life, especially when one has become overworked or overly stressed

Example:
New research findings indicate that although "stop and smell the roses" sounds like a mere hackneyed phrase, it is in fact sound advice for finding satisfaction in life. People who have adopted this practice are much more likely to be happy and content with their life, and, in addition, they have lower stress levels than people who never take a breather.

8. rat race
a way of life in which people are caught up in a fiercely competitive struggle for wealth and power

Example:
More and more people are suffering from severe anxiety or even depression stemming from the hectic pace of modern lifestyle. It's not surprising then that, according to a recent survey, it is the dream of many to leave the big city and move to the tranquil countryside in hopes of simplifying their life and escaping the rat race. 

9. the bee's knees
if something is the bee's knees, it is excellent and of high quality

Example:
I don't mean to boast but my homemade apple pie is the bee's knees, it really is!

10. go to the dogs
to deteriorate shockingly; (also said of a country or organisation) to be much less successful than it was in the past

Example:
The presentation is going to the dogs. First, the USB stick with the slides was nowhere to be found causing a considerable delay, and now the computer just crashed.

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