Weather idioms

Here are some idioms about celestial bodies for you to check out.

sun idioms

Let’s kick things off with idioms about our glorious sun. The sun is that great big yellow hot ball in the sky that rises in the morning and sets at night.

We call it ‘the sun’ (using the definite article) as it is unique, there is only one sun.

 

Did you know the word ‘sun’ is pronounced in exactly the same way as the word ‘son’ (your male child). They are spelt differently, have a different meaning but pronounced the same, they are what we call homophones.

Here are some sun idioms:

  • brighten up one’s day   
    meaning – something/someone makes a situation is more enjoyable/pleasant
    example – My grandson popped over with a bunch of flowers, it brightened up my day.
  • make hay while the sun shines  
    meaning – make the most of an opportunity while you have the chance
    example – I’ll make hay while the sun shines and listen to all my favourite cheesy songs. My husband won’t be back until the evening.
  • ray of sunshine
    meaning – someone/something that makes a person or place happier
    example – Lucy’s new puppy is a ray of sunshine.
  • rise and shine   
    meaning – wake up, get out of bed, and start your day
    example – I like to rise and shine early.
  • soak up some sun 
    meaning – spend time in the sun to get darker skin
    example – This time next week I’ll be soaking up the sun by the pool with a cocktail in hand.
  • stick something where the sun don’t shine
    meaning – shove something up your bum, refuse something
    example – Tell Rory to stick his offer where the sun don’t shine.
  • sun shines out of someone’s backside   
    meaning – love/admire someone so much you don’t see their faults
    example – The sun doesn’t shine out of his backside, he’s a liar and a cheat.
  • take a shine to  
    meaning – like a lot
    example – I really took a shine to the cat we found, but then it`s owner came forward.

sun idioms – picture examples

sun idioms and expressions
sun idioms - brighten up one’s day meaning
sun expressions - make hay while the sun shines
sun idioms - ray of sunshine
sun idioms - rise and shine
sun expressions - soak up some sun
sun expressions - stick something where the sun don’t shine
sun idioms - sun shines out of someone’s backside
sun expressions - take a shine to

Now see if you can answer these questions. You can even leave your answers in the comments box at the end of the page if you like.

  • Who was the last person you told to stick something where the sun doesn’t shine?
  • When was the last time you soaked up some sun?
  • When was the last time someone brightened up your day?
  • What time do you rise and shine?
  • Have you taken a shine to anyone recently?

moon expressions

The moon is a natural satellite that orbits the Earth. It is mainly visible at night and changes shape during the month. It shines by reflecting light from the sun.

 

Here is a list of moon idioms:

  • honeymoon period    
    meaning – a short period of time after starting something new where everything is great
    example – We’ve only been married for 6 months but the honeymoon period is well and truly over.
  • many moons ago  
    meaning – a long time ago
    example – We used to date many moons ago.
  • once in a blue moon     
    meaning – very rarely
    example – I only see my sister once in a blue moon, we aren’t that close.
  • over the moon
    meaning – thrilled, delighted, extremely happy
    example – My mum was over the moon when I told her she was going to be a granny.
  • reach for the moon/stars 
    meaning – have very high ambitions/goals
    example – I teach my class to reach for the stars and aim high.

moon expressions – picture examples

moon expressions
moon idioms - honeymoon period
moon idioms - many moons ago meaning
moon idioms - once in a blue moon
moon expressions - over the moon meaning
moon expressions - reach for the moon/stars

Now see if you can answer these questions:

If you won a new car, would you be over the moon?

Do you reach for the moon with your career?

Tell me something you did many moons ago?

Do you often eat at a restaurant or only once in a blue moon?

star idioms

Stars are those twinkly luminous bodies that we see alongside the moon in the night sky. A picture of a star is typically drawn with 5 points.

Did you know that ‘star’ can also be used as an adjective to describe people? A star can be:

  • A famous person e.g. I want to be a Hollywood star.
  • Someone who has done something helpful for another person e.g. Martin was an absolute star, he came out in the pouring rain to help me change my tyre
  • A brave person e.g. Mindy was a star, she didn’t cry once during her jabs.

 

Here are some star idioms:

  • reach for the moon/stars
    meaning – have very high ambitions/goals
    example – I teach my class to reach for the stars and aim high.
  • star quality
    meaning – qualities/abilities needed to become a star/successful United’s example – new signing has star qualities. He’ll score lots of goals this season.
  • written in the stars
    meaning – destined to be
    example – I always knew I’d be an actress, it was written in the stars.

star idioms – picture examples

star idioms and expressions
star idioms and expressions - reach for the moon/stars
star idioms and expressions - star quality
star idioms and expressions - written in the stars

Was your career written in the stars?

Has anyone in your family got star quality?

Should children be taught to reach for the stars?

planet idioms

The planets in our solar system are Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune and they all orbit the sun. Earth is the only planet with life inhabiting it, or is it?

Fun fact – the best way of remembering the order of the planets is to make up an acronym. Here’s mine

My Very Energetic Monkey Just Shouted Ugly

You can have a go at making one too, I’d love to hear them, post in the comments below.

Here are some planet idioms:

  • on another planet
    meaning – act strangely, be unaware of your surroundings, crazy
    example – Can I borrow your history notes? I was on another planet and didn’t write any down.
  • men are from mars, women are from Venus 
    meaning – men and women are different
    example – I swear women are from Venus, I just can’t figure her out!

planet idioms – picture examples

planets idioms and expressions
planet idioms - men are from Mars, women are from Venus
planet idioms - on another planet

Do you agree with the phrase ’men are from Mars; women are from Venus’?

Do you know anyone who is on another planet?

Earth sayings

Our beautiful Earth is a planet home to billions of people, plants, and animals. It’s comprised of land and sea with many different terrains including mountains and deserts.

There is actually a particularly good BBC show called Planet Earth. The narrator speaks very slowly so it’s good for practicing your English listening skills.

here are some Earth idioms:

  • all the time in the world
    meaning – lots of time to do something
    example – Do your homework. You haven’t got all the time in the world, we’re going out at 7.
  • carry the weight of the world on one’s shoulders
    meaning – behave as though you have lots of worries/problems
    example – I feel like I am carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders.
  • charge the earth
    meaning – cost a lot of money
    example – Don’t buy coffee at the bus station cafe, they charge the earth and it’s disgusting.
  • dead to the world
    meaning – fast asleep
    example – I had three pints of strong ale and was dead to the world.
  • do someone the world of good 
    meaning – benefit someone greatly
    example – A spinach and kale smoothie always does me the world of good.
  • dog-eat-dog world
    meaning – ruthless unethical behaviour used to become successful in the working world
    example – Being a banker is a dog-eat-dog world. I’m thinking of quitting for the simple life.
  • down to earth  
    meaning – realistic, unpretentious, humble
    example – Did you know Harry is a millionaire? He’s so down to earth.
  • four corners of the earth
    meaning – from all parts of the earth
    example – People come from the four corners of the earth to see the Grand Canyon.
  • hand that rocks the cradle (rules the world)       
    meaning – mothers have power as they influence their children’s personalities and behaviour
    example – We offer free counselling sessions to all new mums, the hand that rocks the cradle…
  • man/woman of the world
    meaning – a sophisticated/wise person with lots of life experience
    example – Kira is a woman of the world, she doesn’t need your help.
  • move heaven and earth
    meaning – work very hard to achieve something
    example – Lawrence is a good chap. He’ll move heaven and earth to finish the project on time.
  • on top of the world
    meaning – feel great/happy
    example – We’ve just bought the house of our dreams, we’re on top of the world.
  • salt of the earth
    meaning – a good honest person
    example – I’m sorry for your loss, your father was the salt of the earth.
  • watch the world go by
    meaning – enjoy watching people pass by
    example – I’m going to sit in a coffee shop and watch the world go by.

earth sayings – picture examples

earth sayings
world expressions - all the time in the world
world expressions - carry the weight of the world on one’s shoulders
earth sayings - charge the earth
world expressions - dead to the world
world expressions - do someone the world of good
world expressions - dog eat dog world
earth sayings - down to earth
earth sayings - four corners of the earth meaning
world expressions - hand that rocks the cradle (rules the world)
world expressions - man/woman of the world
earth sayings - move heaven and earth
world expressions - on top of the world
weather idiom (earth/world) - salt of the earth
world expressions - watch the world go by

Do you often feel like you’re carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders?

Do companies charge the earth for petrol in your country?

What activity does you the world of good?

Do you consider yourself down to earth?

When was the last time you felt on top of the world and why?

Do you enjoy sitting and watching the world go by?

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phrases with ray

A ray is to do with the sun. It’s when the beams of light from the sun shine through an opening in the clouds.

 

Here are some ray idioms:

  • catch some rays
    meaning – spend time in the sun to get darker skin
    example – How was your holiday? It looks like you caught some rays.
  • ray of hope
    meaning – a small sign that something may improve/succeed
    example – Archie’s bank account was used yesterday, there is a ray of hope he’s still alive.
  • ray of sunshine
    meaning – someone/something that makes a person or place happier
    example – Lucy’s new puppy is a ray of sunshine.

ray phrases – picture examples

phrases with ray
phrases with ray - catch some rays meaning
phrases with ray - ray of hope idiom meaning
phrases with ray - ray of sunshine quotes

Do you know anyone who is a ray of sunshine?

Do you enjoy going to the beach and catching some rays?

Do you see the COVID vaccine as a ray of hope?

Do you love learning idioms? Why not take a course to really sound like a native? Here are some of the best.

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