It's a shame to eat the cow an' worry on the tail.
To "eat the cow," &c., is to overlook very great faults, and make a severe example of a trifling one.
It's a silly hen that canna scrape for ae bird.
It's a sin to lee on the deil.
It's a sma' sheil that gies nae shelter.
It's as plain as a pike staff.
"Na, na, gudeman, ye needna be sae mim; every body kens, and I ken too, that ye're ettling at the magistracy. It's as plain as a pike staff, gudeman, and I'll no let ye rest if ye dinna mak me a bailie's wife or a' be done."—The Provost.
It's a sooth dream that's seen waking.
It's a sour reek when the gudewife dings the gudeman.
"A man in my country coming out of his house with tears on his cheeks, was asked the occasion; he said, 'There was a sour reek in the house;' but, upon further inquiry, it was found that his wife had beaten him."—Kelly.