Bears, especially grizzlies, are known for their large appetites. In preparation for winter hibernation, they eat up to 90 pounds of food a day! Now, imagine feeling so hungry you could eat like a grizzly bear. This is where the saying 'hungry as a bear' originates.
Tom, a young kid who loves playing soccer, often uses this idiom after his games. After running around the field all afternoon, he comes home and tells his mom, 'I'm as hungry as a bear!'
The idiom doesn't mean that Tom wants to eat 90 pounds of food, but that he is extremely hungry. Idioms like 'hungry as a bear' are fun ways to express feelings using creative language.
Speaking of bears, did you know that contrary to popular belief, not all bears hibernate during winter? Some types, like the sun bear, live in warm climates and have no need to hibernate.
Just like 'hungry as a bear', there are many other idioms related to animals, like 'busy as a bee', 'sly as a fox' or 'slow as a snail'. Can you think of any more?