dust mouse: meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  UKUSGlobalinformalcolloquialdialectal
  • A small clump or tuft of dust and lint that collects under furniture or in corners; synonymous with 'dust bunny'.

  Examples

  Beta

  • Under the bed, I found a dust mouse that had gathered over several weeks without cleaning.

    Under the bed, I found a small clump of dust and lint that had gathered over several weeks without cleaning.

  • Every time I sweep, a few dust mice appear in the corners despite my efforts.

    Every time I sweep, a few small clumps of dust and lint appear in the corners despite my efforts.

  • The old attic was full of dust mice that moved whenever we disturbed the boxes.

    The old attic was full of small tufts of dust and lint that moved whenever we disturbed the boxes.

• 2.

  UKHistoricalinformaldatedfigurative
  • A timid, insignificant, or unimportant person (rare, chiefly figurative).

  Examples

  Beta

  • Everyone overlooked Tim during the meeting; he was just a dust mouse, too shy to speak up.

    Todos ignoraron a Tim durante la reunión; él era solo un ratón de polvo, demasiado tímido para hablar.

  • She felt like a dust mouse among the confident executives at her first big conference.

    Ella se sentía como un ratón de polvo entre los ejecutivos confiados en su primera gran conferencia.

  • If you think I'm just a dust mouse, wait until you see what I can do when given a chance.

    Si crees que soy solo un ratón de polvo, espera a ver lo que puedo hacer cuando me den una oportunidad.