Meaning & use
you are a tiger
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Meaning
phrasefixed phraseinformalfigurative
A figurative way to praise someone as strong, brave, fierce, or full of energy.
Grammar: Used as a complete sentence or as part of a longer compliment. Can also be said to a group: 'You are tigers!'
Patterns
- you are a tiger
- someone is a tiger
You finished the whole marathon in the rain — you are a tiger!
She stood up to the bullies without fear; she's a real tiger.
My grandmother may be eighty, but she's a tiger on the tennis court.
Common combinations
- a real tiger
- On the debate stage, he was a real tiger.
- be a tiger
- Don't be shy; be a tiger and ask for the promotion.
- tiger in the ring
- The young boxer was a tiger in the ring.
Synonyms and how they differ
- fighter
- A fighter is someone who never gives up; a tiger suggests more fierceness and energy.
- go-getter
- A go-getter is ambitious and active; a tiger is more about courage or ferocity.
Opposites
Word family
- tigress noun
- A female tiger; also used figuratively for a fierce woman.
- tigerish adjective
- Having qualities like a tiger; fierce or energetic.
Commonly confused: you are a tiger or tiger?
you are a tiger vs tiger
The animal is literal; 'you are a tiger' is almost always figurative praise.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'you are a tiger' correctly as a compliment?
Choose one answer.
Only option 1 uses the phrase figuratively to praise courage and effort. The others treat it literally, which is not how the compliment is used.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “you are a tiger”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.