It’s a season of change, and just like the leaves fall, idioms related to autumn have fallen into our everyday language.
These idioms allow us to express complex ideas and emotions using simple words.
Autumn is like nature’s grand finale, as trees don their vibrant costumes and the world becomes a canvas painted with warm hues. For more comparisons to describe autumn, you can visit this link: Similes for autumn. And for a variety of metaphors related to autumn, you can explore this link: Metaphors for autumn.
What is an idiom for autumn?
Idioms are phrases that might not make literal sense, but they convey a deeper meaning or evoke a certain image or feeling.
When it comes to autumn, idioms are used to describe various situations, emotions, and actions associated with this transitional season.
Let’s explore the world of autumn idioms and unveil their true meanings.
| Idiom | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Fall on deaf ears | Words or advice not listened to or heeded | His warnings about the upcoming storm fell on deaf ears, and they decided to continue their picnic. |
| Turn over a new leaf | Make a fresh start or change for the better | After quitting his bad habits, he decided to turn over a new leaf and focus on a healthier lifestyle. |
| Autumn of life | Later stages of one’s life | In the autumn of his life, he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and reflecting on his experiences. |
| Leaf through (something) | Quickly look through without reading thoroughly | She decided to leaf through the old photo album, reminiscing about her childhood. |
| The autumn years | Later stages of a person’s life | During the autumn years, many people find fulfillment in pursuing their hobbies and spending time with loved ones. |
| A leaf out of someone’s book | Adopt someone else’s behavior or ideas as an example | She took a leaf out of her grandmother’s book by practicing kindness and generosity. |
| Fall from grace | Lose respect or a good reputation | The politician’s fall from grace was swift after the scandal was exposed. |
| As crisp as autumn leaves | Fresh, clean, and clear | The morning air was as crisp as autumn leaves, and it invigorated everyone for the day ahead. |
| The apple of my eye | Someone cherished and loved deeply | His daughter was the apple of his eye, and he treasured every moment they spent together. |
| Rake it in | Earn a large amount of money quickly or easily | After launching the new product, the company started to rake it in with high sales. |
| The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree | Children inherit traits from their parents | Just like his father, he excelled in sports; it seems the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. |
| Nip in the air | A slight chill or cold feeling in the atmosphere | There was a nip in the air as autumn approached, reminding everyone to bring out their sweaters. |
| Shake like a leaf | Tremble or shiver from fear, nervousness, or cold | She was so frightened by the ghost story that she began to shake like a leaf. |
| Bury the hatchet | Put an end to a conflict and reconcile | After years of rivalry, the two teams decided to bury the hatchet and collaborate on a project. |
| Turn a new leaf | Commit to positive change | After completing rehab, he was determined to turn a new leaf and stay away from drugs. |
| Every leaf speaks bliss to me | Appreciation of nature’s beauty | As he strolled through the park, every leaf spoke bliss to him, filling his heart with joy. |
| A cornucopia of (something) | Abundance or overflowing amount | The market displayed a cornucopia of fresh fruits and vegetables from the autumn harvest. |
| In the dead of autumn | Middle or coldest part of autumn | They decided to go camping in the dead of autumn, equipped with warm clothing and cozy blankets. |
| A bushel and a peck | Expression of love or affection | Grandma always told her grandchildren that she loved them “a bushel and a peck.” |
| Autumnal equinox | Start of autumn when day and night are equal | The autumnal equinox occurs around September 22nd, marking the official start of the season. |
| A cornfield of (something) | Vast quantity or overwhelming number | The library had a cornfield of books on various topics, making it a reader’s paradise. |
| A bed of roses | Comfortable situation free from difficulties | After overcoming many obstacles, they finally reached a point where life was a bed of roses. |
| On the same page | In agreement or having the same understanding | It’s essential for the team to be on the same page regarding the project’s goals and objectives. |
| Fall into place | Things make sense or become clear and organized | After hours of confusion, the pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place, revealing the solution. |
| Leafy suburb | Residential area with many trees and greenery | They decided to move to a leafy suburb to enjoy the peaceful surroundings and natural beauty. |
Idioms for Autumn
1. Fall on deaf ears
Meaning: When something falls on deaf ears, it means that your words or advice are not being listened to or heeded.
In a Sentence: His warnings about the upcoming storm fell on deaf ears, and they decided to continue their picnic.
2. Turn over a new leaf
Meaning: To make a fresh start or change for the better, often after a period of trouble or mistakes.
In a Sentence: After quitting his bad habits, he decided to turn over a new leaf and focus on a healthier lifestyle.
3. Autumn of life
Meaning: Refers to the later stages of one’s life, typically the senior years.
In a Sentence: In the autumn of his life, he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and reflecting on his experiences.
4. Leaf through (something)
Meaning: To quickly look through the pages of a book, magazine, or document without reading it thoroughly.
In a Sentence: She decided to leaf through the old photo album, reminiscing about her childhood.
5. The autumn years
Meaning: Similar to the “autumn of life,” this phrase describes the later stages of a person’s life.
In a Sentence: During the autumn years, many people find fulfillment in pursuing their hobbies and spending time with loved ones.
6. A leaf out of someone’s book
Meaning: To adopt someone else’s behavior, actions, or ideas as an example to follow.
In a Sentence: She took a leaf out of her grandmother’s book by practicing kindness and generosity.
7. Fall from grace
Meaning: To lose respect, prestige, or a good reputation due to one’s actions or behavior.
In a Sentence: The politician’s fall from grace was swift after the scandal was exposed.
8. As crisp as autumn leaves
Meaning: Refers to something that is fresh, clean, and clear.
In a Sentence: The morning air was as crisp as autumn leaves, and it invigorated everyone for the day ahead.
9. The apple of my eye
Meaning: An expression of affection, referring to someone who is cherished and loved deeply.
In a Sentence: His daughter was the apple of his eye, and he treasured every moment they spent together.
10. Rake it in
Meaning: To earn a large amount of money quickly or easily.
In a Sentence: After launching the new product, the company started to rake it in with high sales.
11. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree
Meaning: Children often inherit traits, characteristics, or behaviors from their parents.
In a Sentence: Just like his father, he excelled in sports; it seems the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
12. Nip in the air
Meaning: A slight chill or cold feeling in the atmosphere, often signaling the arrival of colder weather.
In a Sentence: There was a nip in the air as autumn approached, reminding everyone to bring out their sweaters.
13. Shake like a leaf
Meaning: To tremble or shiver from fear, nervousness, or cold.
In a Sentence: She was so frightened by the ghost story that she began to shake like a leaf.
14. Bury the hatchet
Meaning: To put an end to a conflict or disagreement and reconcile with someone.
In a Sentence: After years of rivalry, the two teams decided to bury the hatchet and collaborate on a project.
15. Turn a new leaf
Meaning: Similar to “turn over a new leaf,” it signifies a fresh start or a commitment to positive change.
In a Sentence: After completing rehab, he was determined to turn a new leaf and stay away from drugs.
16. Every leaf speaks bliss to me
Meaning: A poetic expression to convey the appreciation of nature’s beauty, especially during autumn.
In a Sentence: As he strolled through the park, every leaf spoke bliss to him, filling his heart with joy.
17. A cornucopia of (something)
Meaning: Refers to an abundance or overflowing amount of something.
In a Sentence: The market displayed a cornucopia of fresh fruits and vegetables from the autumn harvest.
18. In the dead of autumn
Meaning: Refers to the middle or coldest part of autumn when temperatures drop significantly.
In a Sentence: They decided to go camping in the dead of autumn, equipped with warm clothing and cozy blankets.
19. A bushel and a peck
Meaning: A way to express love or affection, often used between family members.
In a Sentence: Grandma always told her grandchildren that she loved them “a bushel and a peck.”
20. The autumn of one’s life
Meaning: Reiterates the later stages of a person’s life, emphasizing the idea of reflection and maturity.
In a Sentence: During the autumn of her life, she wrote a memoir, sharing her life’s experiences and lessons.
21. Be in someone’s good books
Meaning: To be in someone’s favor or have their approval.
In a Sentence: After helping her neighbor with the yard work, she was definitely in his good books.
22. Autumnal equinox
Meaning: The specific day in the fall when day and night are of equal length, marking the beginning of autumn.
In a Sentence: The autumnal equinox occurs around September 22nd, signifying the official start of the season.
23. A cornfield of (something)
Meaning: Describing a vast quantity or an overwhelming number of something.
In a Sentence: The library had a cornfield of books on various topics, making it a reader’s paradise.
24. A bed of roses
Meaning: A situation that is comfortable and free from difficulties.
In a Sentence: After overcoming many obstacles, they finally reached a point where life was a bed of roses.
25. On the same page
Meaning: To be in agreement or have the same understanding as someone else.
In a Sentence: It’s essential for the team to be on the same page regarding the project’s goals and objectives.
26. Fall into place
Meaning: When things start to make sense or become clear and organized.
In a Sentence: After hours of confusion, the pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place, revealing the solution.
27. Leafy suburb
Meaning: Refers to a residential area characterized by many trees and lush greenery.
In a Sentence: They decided to move to a leafy suburb to enjoy the peaceful surroundings and natural beauty.
Quizzes About The Idioms in The Article
Quiz 1:
Question: What does the idiom “Fall on deaf ears” mean?
- a) The arrival of autumn
- b) Words or advice not listened to or heeded
- c) A leaf falling from a tree
Quiz 2:
Question: Which idiom refers to making a fresh start or positive change?
- a) Autumn of life
- b) Turn over a new leaf
- c) A cornucopia of something
Quiz 3:
Question: What does “Shake like a leaf” mean?
- a) To dance gracefully
- b) To tremble or shiver from fear, nervousness, or cold
- c) To fall from a tree
Quiz 4:
Question: Which idiom suggests losing respect or a good reputation?
- a) Every leaf speaks bliss to me
- b) Fall from grace
- c) Turn a new leaf
Quiz 5:
Question: What does “A bushel and a peck” express?
- a) A large harvest
- b) An abundance of something
- c) An expression of love or affection
Quiz 6:
Question: What does the idiom “In the dead of autumn” mean?
- a) During the liveliest part of autumn
- b) In the middle or coldest part of autumn
- c) During the beginning of autumn
Quiz 7:
Question: Which idiom signifies being in someone’s favor or having their approval?
- a) Be in someone’s good books
- b) Leafy suburb
- c) Fall into place
Quiz 8:
Question: What does the “Autumnal equinox” mark?
- a) The first day of autumn
- b) The start of winter
- c) The beginning of autumn when day and night are of equal length
Quiz 9:
Question: Which idiom describes a residential area with many trees and greenery?
- a) Leaf through (something)
- b) Bury the hatchet
- c) Leafy suburb
Quiz 10:
Question: What does the idiom “Turn a new leaf” mean?
- a) To turn the pages of a book
- b) To commit to positive change
- c) To rotate a leaf on a tree
Answers:
- b) Words or advice not listened to or heeded
- b) Turn over a new leaf
- b) To tremble or shiver from fear, nervousness, or cold
- b) Fall from grace
- c) An expression of love or affection
- b) In the middle or coldest part of autumn
- a) Be in someone’s good books
- c) The beginning of autumn when day and night are of equal length
- c) Leafy suburb
- b) To commit to positive change
Conclusion
These idioms for autumn add depth and color to our everyday language, allowing us to express a wide range of ideas and emotions associated with this transitional season.
