Learning English has never been more important in today’s global world. If you’re looking to travel, work, study, or communicate with people from other countries, having strong English skills can open numerous doors. Learning grammar and vocabulary is not enough to understand and use English effectively. Learning idioms, common phrases that have deeper meanings than the words themselves, is also necessary. Dialogues can be made more colorful and natural with the use of idioms. We will examine some popular English idioms that relate to summer in this post. You’ll learn what they mean and see example sentences to help you use them in everyday life.
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30 English Idioms About Summer
Now that we have a grasp of the importance of idioms in everyday English, let’s take a look at 30 idioms related to summer. Below, you will find each idiom’s meaning and an example sentence to demonstrate its use in everyday life.
A place in the sun
Meaning: A position of success, happiness, or comfort.
Example: After years of hard work, she finally found her place in the sun.
A ray of sunshine
Meaning: Someone who brings joy or positivity.
Example: His cheerful attitude is a ray of sunshine on stressful days.
An Indian summer
Meaning: A period of warm, pleasant weather in late autumn.
Example: We enjoyed an Indian summer in October with sunny days and mild nights.
One swallow does not make a summer
Meaning: One positive event does not mean a trend has changed.
Example: He passed one test, but one swallow does not make a summer.
Beach bum
Meaning: Someone who spends a lot of time at the beach in a relaxed lifestyle.
Example: Ever since moving to the coast, he’s become a total beach bum.
Beat the heat
Meaning: To stay cool or avoid hot weather.
Example: We went to the pool to beat the heat during the afternoon.
Catch some rays
Meaning: To sunbathe or enjoy the sunshine.
Example: I plan to catch some rays at the park this weekend.
Chasing the sun
Meaning: Traveling or moving to follow warm, sunny weather.
Example: They’ve been chasing the sun from Spain to Thailand all winter.
Drop like flies
Meaning: Many people falling ill, quitting, or collapsing in large numbers.
Example: During the heatwave, hikers were dropping like flies on the trail.
Endless summer
Meaning: A long period of warm weather or carefree enjoyment.
Example: That vacation felt like an endless summer of beach walks and sunsets.
High and dry
Meaning: Left helpless, abandoned, or in a difficult situation.
Example: When the tide went out, their boat was left high and dry.
Hot under the collar
Meaning: Feeling angry, annoyed, or agitated.
Example: He got hot under the collar when someone parked in his spot.
In hot water
Meaning: In trouble or facing negative consequences.
Example: She got in hot water for missing the team meeting.
In the heat of the moment
Meaning: Acting impulsively due to intense emotion.
Example: He said some things in the heat of the moment that he later regretted.
In the swim
Meaning: Actively involved or up-to-date with current trends or activities.
Example: She always stays in the swim of summer fashion.
Make hay while the sun shines
Meaning: Take advantage of favorable conditions while they last.
Example: With the sun out, we decided to make hay while the sun shines and paint the fence.
Make waves
Meaning: To cause a noticeable change or attract attention.
Example: Her new swimsuit design is making waves in the fashion world.
Melt away
Meaning: To gradually disappear, often referring to stress or worries.
Example: All her stress melted away once she reached the beach.
Sunkissed
Meaning: Having a slightly tanned or golden look from the sun.
Example: Her sunkissed skin gave her a healthy glow after the vacation.
Sun‑soaked
Meaning: Filled with or exposed to a lot of sunshine.
Example: They spent the weekend relaxing on a sun-soaked patio.
Sunny disposition
Meaning: A cheerful and optimistic personality.
Example: His sunny disposition makes him a joy to work with.
Sweat it out
Meaning: To endure a difficult or tense situation, sometimes literally through physical activity.
Example: We had to sweat it out in the tent during the storm.
Take a shine to
Meaning: To quickly like or feel affection for someone or something.
Example: She immediately took a shine to the little seaside café.
The dog days are over
Meaning: A difficult or hot period has ended.
Example: The weather finally cooled down—the dog days are over.
The dog days of summer
Meaning: The hottest, most uncomfortable days of the summer.
Example: During the dog days of summer, the streets were nearly empty by noon.
Turn up the heat
Meaning: To increase pressure, intensity, or competition.
Example: The coach turned up the heat in the final weeks of training.
Under the sun
Meaning: Everything that exists; anything imaginable.
Example: That shop sells everything under the sun —from swimsuits to surfboards.
Summer fling
Meaning: A brief romantic relationship during the summer.
Example: They met on the beach and had a summer fling that ended in August.
Walking on sunshine
Meaning: Feeling very happy or elated.
Example: She was walking on sunshine after getting the job offer.
Soak up the sun
Meaning: To enjoy the sunshine, often by relaxing outdoors.
Example: We soaked up the sun on the balcony all afternoon.
Frequently Asked Questions About English Idioms About Summer
What is a summer idiom?
A summer idiom is a phrase that uses images related to summer (such as the sun, heat, or the season) to convey a metaphorical meaning. It’s not intended to be taken literally, but rather to convey a specific idea or emotion.
Can summer idioms be used in writing?
The use of summer idioms can enhance both creative and informal writing with color and personality. Using them can enhance storytelling, dialogue, and make descriptions more vivid.
How can I learn to use summer idioms correctly?
Reading examples in books or articles, watching native English media, and practicing them in sentences are ways to learn. The use of flashcards or idiom dictionaries can also enhance comprehension.
Can idioms about summer be used to describe people?
Many summer idioms are used to describe personality or mood, like ‘a ray of sunshine’ for a cheerful person. Seasonal imagery is a common method of reflecting someone’s attitude or emotional state.
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