Quote about Eagles and Turkeys question

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My teacher used a figure of speech today that had something to do with either Eagles living in a world of Turkeys or Turkeys living in a world of Eagles.

Does anyone know of it that can explain it to me?

Also, I thought that idioms and figures of speech were the same. After he explained a little, but not enough for me to understand, I said something about it being an idiom and he said no, it was a figure of speech. Then he went back to what he had been talking about.

Does anyone know what figure of speech he might have been referring to?

Thanks. I don't have time now but soon I hope to have time to go through and read more here.

Thanks

I googled "eagles turkeys" and I think it might be one of the following:

-Eagles soar while turkeys are on the ground.
-"Eagles let the winds of a storm carry them higher than they can go on their own. Turkey's [sic] look for shelter."
-Turkeys are not independent; they will stick together and do the same thing every other turkey does. Eagles will fly on their own and think for themselves.

It's probably a metaphor. Metaphors are words that take the place of other words. Like calling a bad day a "downer" because it makes you feel "down".


An idiom is a phrase that (I think) doesn't make sense by itself, but makes sense if you already know what it means. For example:
-The phrase "in a pickle" doesn't literally mean that someone is trapped inside a pickle, but rather that someone is trapped in a situation or having a problem.
-Or "sticking your head in the sand" would mean not paying attention to the world around you. This originates from ostriches (I think?) literally sticking their heads in sand.


Sorry if you already knew some of that information, I like giving examples and sometimes overexplain stuff.

Various wording, including an "official" movie quote:

"It is difficult to soar with the eagles when one lives with turkeys."

"It's hard to soar with the eagles when you live with the turkeys below."

"It is hard to soar with eagles when you work with turkeys."

"It's hard to soar with the eagles when you're surrounded by turkeys." -- Longfellow Deeds, from the movie "Mr. Deeds" (2002)

... and my favorite ...

"Eagles may soar far and wide, but turkeys don't get sucked into jet engines."

Thanks everyone. It is starting to make sense now.
Scandium, don't worry about repeating things I might already know, especially if it is because you are explaining idioms or figures of speech.

It is a sign language class and I might have to stop answering everything. Since it is a sign languguage class it doesn't matter if we answer at the same time. But there are a few times when he asks something about the deaf and we use our voices.

It's just that for the first time I can remember, I am in a situation where things are easier for me than others. I don't mean to show off, it's just that I am enjoying finding a class that is easier for me than some of the others. True, there are parts of class where it is equally hard for others, and a few parts that I struggle with that others don't, but for the most part it is easier for me than others. I have known some sign language for a long time, but haven't had the opportunity to keep learning or to interact and sign with others till this class started a few months ago. So I may have to keep my sign language answers to a whisper (meaning small but at my side). Not sure how to do that with the signs that have to be touching the lips or body (chest, shoulder, etc). It's a small class if that makes any difference. The turkey/eagle figure of speech is one of those things that he signed as he was talking. We have't gotten into ASL (American Sign Language) grammar yet and it doesn't match ours.

Thanks.