Summer is here, and it brings not only warm weather and longer days but also a unique language filled with idioms that capture the essence of the season.
Idioms are expressions whose meanings can’t be deduced from the literal definitions of the individual words.
In this article, we’ll explore idioms related to summer, providing a glimpse into the language that paints pictures of sunshine, heat, and leisure.
What is an idiom for summer?
Idioms for summer are phrases that convey a particular meaning related to the season. These expressions often capture the feelings, activities, and experiences associated with the warmer months.
Let’s delve into a list of summer idioms, understand their meanings, and see them in action in sentences.
| Idiom | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Cool as a Cucumber | Extremely calm and composed, especially in stressful situations | Despite the unexpected delay, she remained cool as a cucumber during the beach trip. |
| In the Heat of the Moment | Acting impulsively or emotionally during a tense situation | Apologies were exchanged later, but in the heat of the moment, words were said that couldn’t be taken back. |
| Dog Days of Summer | The hottest and most sultry period of summer | During the dog days of summer, everyone sought refuge in the shade to escape the scorching sun. |
| Catch Some Rays | To spend time in the sun, soaking up its warmth | Let’s head to the beach and catch some rays this weekend. |
| Hot Under the Collar | To be angry or upset about something | He got hot under the collar when he realized he left his sunglasses at home on a sunny day. |
| Make Hay While the Sun Shines | To take advantage of an opportunity while it lasts | The wise camper knew to make hay while the sun shines, setting up the tent before the storm hit. |
| Under the Sun | Everything possible or conceivable | They tried every flavor under the sun before settling on their favorite ice cream. |
| Ray of Sunshine | Someone or something that brings happiness and positivity | Her cheerful attitude was a constant ray of sunshine during the summer camp. |
| Beach Bum | A person who spends a lot of time at the beach, often in a carefree manner | Jake transformed into a beach bum every summer, enjoying the waves and sandy shores. |
| Sun-Kissed | Having a healthy and attractive tan from the sun | After a week at the seaside, their skin became beautifully sun-kissed. |
| As Clear as Day | Extremely clear or obvious | The instructions were as clear as day, making the task a breeze. |
| When Hell Freezes Over | A humorous way of saying that something will never happen | She said she’d join a hiking club when hell freezes over – not her idea of a good time. |
| Break the Ice | To initiate a conversation in a social setting | Playing a simple game helped break the ice at the summer picnic, and soon everyone was chatting away. |
| Throw Shade | To criticize or insult someone subtly | Instead of enjoying the day, she chose to throw shade at her friend’s picnic arrangement. |
| Sunny Disposition | Having a naturally cheerful and optimistic personality | Even on cloudy days, her sunny disposition brightened up the atmosphere. |
| Head in the Clouds | Daydreaming or being absent-minded | With the summer breeze, her head was often in the clouds, lost in thoughts of adventure. |
| Chasing Rainbows | Pursuing unrealistic goals or dreams | Spending the entire summer chasing rainbows, he realized the importance of setting achievable targets. |
| A Day in the Sun | A day of enjoyment or relaxation | The family had a perfect day in the sun, picnicking in the park and playing outdoor games. |
| A Real Scorcher | A day with exceptionally high temperatures | Everyone sought shade during the real scorcher that hit the town last summer. |
| Jump on the Bandwagon | To join others in doing something that has become fashionable or popular | As soon as water balloon fights became popular, everyone wanted to jump on the bandwagon. |
| Go off the Deep End | To react irrationally or lose control of one’s emotions | He tends to go off the deep end when things don’t go as planned during the summer project. |
| Wet Behind the Ears | Inexperienced or naive | The new lifeguard was a bit wet behind the ears but quickly learned the ropes. |
| Reap What You Sow | The consequences of one’s actions, whether positive or negative | By consistently practicing, the young athlete was able to reap what she sowed – a gold medal in the summer competition. |
| Sun is Shining, Birds are Singing | A cheerful and positive atmosphere | As they walked through the park, the sun is shining, birds are singing – a perfect day to enjoy nature. |
| Burn the Midnight Oil | To work late into the night or early morning hours | With exams approaching, she had to burn the midnight oil to catch up on her summer coursework. |
| Sail Close to the Wind | To take risks or operate on the edge of acceptability | While experimenting with new recipes, she liked to sail close to the wind, adding unique flavors to her summer dishes. |
| Out of the Frying Pan into the Fire | Escaping one predicament only to end up in a worse situation | Trying to avoid the summer traffic, they took a shortcut that led them out of the frying pan into the fire of a road construction zone. |
Metaphors can capture the essence of summer, like comparing it to a sunlit canvas painted with the colors of leisure and warmth. To explore more metaphors for summer, you can visit this link: Metaphors for Summer. Similarly, similes offer comparisons that make summer more relatable, such as saying it’s as hot as an oven on a scorching day. Discover additional similes for summer here: Similes for Summer.
Idioms for Summer
1. Cool as a Cucumber
Meaning: Extremely calm and composed, especially in stressful situations.
In a Sentence: Despite the unexpected delay, she remained as cool as a cucumber during the beach trip.
2. In the Heat of the Moment
Meaning: Acting impulsively or emotionally during a tense situation.
In a Sentence: Apologies were exchanged later, but in the heat of the moment, words were said that couldn’t be taken back.
3. Dog Days of Summer
Meaning: The hottest and most sultry period of summer, typically in July and August.
In a Sentence: During the dog days of summer, everyone sought refuge in the shade to escape the scorching sun.
4. Catch Some Rays
Meaning: To spend time in the sun, soaking up its warmth.
In a Sentence: Let’s head to the beach and catch some rays this weekend.
5. Hot Under the Collar
Meaning: To be angry or upset about something.
In a Sentence: He got hot under the collar when he realized he left his sunglasses at home on a sunny day.
6. Make Hay While the Sun Shines
Meaning: To take advantage of an opportunity while it lasts.
In a Sentence: The wise camper knew to make hay while the sun shines, setting up the tent before the storm hit.
7. Under the Sun
Meaning: Everything possible or conceivable.
In a Sentence: They tried every flavor under the sun before settling on their favorite ice cream.
8. Ray of Sunshine
Meaning: Someone or something that brings happiness and positivity.
In a Sentence: Her cheerful attitude was a constant ray of sunshine during the summer camp.
9. Beach Bum
Meaning: A person who spends a lot of time at the beach, often in a carefree manner.
In a Sentence: Jake transformed into a beach bum every summer, enjoying the waves and sandy shores.
10. Sun-Kissed
Meaning: Having a healthy and attractive tan from the sun.
In a Sentence: After a week at the seaside, their skin became beautifully sun-kissed.
11. As Clear as Day
Meaning: Extremely clear or obvious.
In a Sentence: The instructions were as clear as day, making the task a breeze.
12. When Hell Freezes Over
Meaning: A humorous way of saying that something will never happen.
In a Sentence: She said she’d join a hiking club when hell freezes over – not her idea of a good time.
13. Break the Ice
Meaning: To initiate a conversation in a social setting.
In a Sentence: Playing a simple game helped break the ice at the summer picnic, and soon everyone was chatting away.
14. Throw Shade
Meaning: To criticize or insult someone subtly.
In a Sentence: Instead of enjoying the day, she chose to throw shade at her friend’s picnic arrangement.
15. Sunny Disposition
Meaning: Having a naturally cheerful and optimistic personality.
In a Sentence: Even on cloudy days, her sunny disposition brightened up the atmosphere.
16. Head in the Clouds
Meaning: Daydreaming or being absent-minded.
In a Sentence: With the summer breeze, her head was often in the clouds, lost in thoughts of adventure.
17. Chasing Rainbows
Meaning: Pursuing unrealistic goals or dreams.
In a Sentence: Spending the entire summer chasing rainbows, he realized the importance of setting achievable targets.
18. A Day in the Sun
Meaning: A day of enjoyment or relaxation.
In a Sentence: The family had a perfect day in the sun, picnicking in the park and playing outdoor games.
19. A Real Scorcher
Meaning: A day with exceptionally high temperatures.
In a Sentence: Everyone sought shade during the real scorcher that hit the town last summer.
20. Jump on the Bandwagon
Meaning: To join others in doing something that has become fashionable or popular.
In a Sentence: As soon as water balloon fights became popular, everyone wanted to jump on the bandwagon.
21. Go off the Deep End
Meaning: To react irrationally or lose control of one’s emotions.
In a Sentence: He tends to go off the deep end when things don’t go as planned during the summer project.
22. Wet Behind the Ears
Meaning: Inexperienced or naive.
In a Sentence: The new lifeguard was a bit wet behind the ears but quickly learned the ropes.
23. Reap What You Sow
Meaning: The consequences of one’s actions, whether positive or negative.
In a Sentence: By consistently practicing, the young athlete was able to reap what she sowed – a gold medal in the summer competition.
24. Sun is Shining, Birds are Singing
Meaning: A cheerful and positive atmosphere.
In a Sentence: As they walked through the park, the sun is shining, birds are singing – a perfect day to enjoy nature.
25. Burn the Midnight Oil
Meaning: To work late into the night or early morning hours.
In a Sentence: With exams approaching, she had to burn the midnight oil to catch up on her summer coursework.
26. Sail Close to the Wind
Meaning: To take risks or operate on the edge of acceptability.
In a Sentence: While experimenting with new recipes, she liked to sail close to the wind, adding unique flavors to her summer dishes.
27. Out of the Frying Pan into the Fire
Meaning: Escaping one predicament only to end up in a worse situation.
In a Sentence: Trying to avoid the summer traffic, they took a shortcut that led them out of the frying pan into the fire of a road construction zone.
10 Quizzes About The Idiom in The Article
Quiz 1: Cool as a Cucumber
- Question: What does the idiom “Cool as a Cucumber” mean?
- A) Feeling cold in winter
- B) Remaining calm and composed under pressure
- C) Being indifferent to summer heat
- Question: In which situation might someone be described as “cool as a cucumber”?
- A) Panicking during a surprise party
- B) Remaining calm despite unexpected delays
- C) Getting angry over a spilled drink
Quiz 2: Dog Days of Summer
- Question: When do the “Dog Days of Summer” typically occur?
- A) June and July
- B) July and August
- C) August and September
- Question: What is the main characteristic of the “Dog Days of Summer”?
- A) Mild temperatures
- B) Rainy weather
- C) Hot and sultry conditions
Quiz 3: Throw Shade
- Question: What does the idiom “Throw Shade” mean?
- A) Providing shade from the sun
- B) Complimenting someone subtly
- C) Criticizing or insulting someone subtly
- Question: How might someone “throw shade” at a friend’s picnic arrangement?
- A) By helping with the setup
- B) By subtly criticizing the arrangements
- C) By ignoring the picnic altogether
Quiz 4: A Real Scorcher
- Question: When would you describe a day as “A Real Scorcher”?
- A) A cold and snowy day
- B) A day with exceptionally high temperatures
- C) A day with mild weather
- Question: What would people likely seek during “A Real Scorcher”?
- A) Warm blankets
- B) Shade to escape the sun
- C) Snow for cooling off
Quiz 5: Jump on the Bandwagon
- Question: What does the idiom “Jump on the Bandwagon” mean?
- A) Joining a musical band
- B) Trying a new trend or popular activity
- C) Avoiding crowded places
- Question: When might someone decide to “Jump on the Bandwagon”?
- A) When they want to be alone
- B) When something becomes fashionable or popular
- C) When they prefer traditional activities
Quiz 6: Wet Behind the Ears
- Question: What does the idiom “Wet Behind the Ears” mean?
- A) Having water droplets on the face
- B) Being inexperienced or naive
- C) Being caught in the rain without an umbrella
- Question: When might a new employee be considered “Wet Behind the Ears”?
- A) After gaining years of experience
- B) After completing extensive training
- C) When they are new and inexperienced
Quiz 7: Burn the Midnight Oil
- Question: What does the idiom “Burn the Midnight Oil” mean?
- A) Lighting a lantern for outdoor activities
- B) Working late into the night or early morning
- C) Celebrating late-night festivities
- Question: When might someone need to “Burn the Midnight Oil”?
- A) When they want to watch a late-night movie
- B) When they have late-night cravings
- C) When they have a deadline to meet
Quiz 8: Chasing Rainbows
- Question: What does the idiom “Chasing Rainbows” mean?
- A) Trying to capture rainbows with a camera
- B) Pursuing unrealistic goals or dreams
- C) Enjoying a rainy day outdoors
- Question: Why might someone realize the importance of “setting achievable targets” after “Chasing Rainbows”?
- A) Because rainbows are always achievable
- B) Because chasing rainbows is a practical goal
- C) Because chasing unrealistic dreams can lead to disappointment
Quiz 9: Under the Sun
- Question: What does the idiom “Under the Sun” mean?
- A) Only when the sun is shining
- B) Everything possible or conceivable
- C) During sunny weather
- Question: In which situation might someone say, “They tried every flavor under the sun”?
- A) Trying ice cream flavors during winter
- B) Trying every possible flavor available
- C) Only trying a few familiar flavors
Quiz 10: Head in the Clouds
- Question: What does the idiom “Head in the Clouds” mean?
- A) Being lost in thought or daydreaming
- B) Experiencing a cloudy day
- C) Wearing a cloud-shaped hat
- Question: When might someone have their “Head in the Clouds”?
- A) When they are focused and alert
- B) When they are daydreaming or absent-minded
- C) When they are solving complex problems
Conclusion
Summer idioms add a colorful touch to our language, allowing us to express the unique experiences and emotions associated with the season. Whether you’re keeping cool as a cucumber or chasing rainbows, these expressions help us communicate the essence of the sunny months.
