Contents
Here are some idioms about celestial bodies for you to check out.
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:
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.
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.
meaning – someone/something that makes a person or place happier
example – Lucy’s new puppy is a ray of sunshine.
meaning – wake up, get out of bed, and start your day
example – I like to rise and shine early.
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.
meaning – shove something up your bum, refuse something
example – Tell Rory to stick his offer where the sun don’t shine.
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.
meaning – like a lot
example – I really took a shine to the cat we found, but then it`s owner came forward.
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.
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:
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.
meaning – a long time ago
example – We used to date many moons ago.
meaning – very rarely
example – I only see my sister once in a blue moon, we aren’t that close.
meaning – thrilled, delighted, extremely happy
example – My mum was over the moon when I told her she was going to be a granny.
meaning – have very high ambitions/goals
example – I teach my class to reach for the stars and aim high.
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?
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:
Here are some star idioms:
meaning – have very high ambitions/goals
example – I teach my class to reach for the stars and aim high.
meaning – destined to be
example – I always knew I’d be an actress, it was written in the stars.
meaning – destined to be
example – I always knew I’d be an actress, it was 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?
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
Here are some planet idioms:
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.
meaning – men and women are different
example – I swear women are from Venus, I just can’t figure her out!
Do you agree with the phrase ’men are from Mars; women are from Venus’?
Do you know anyone who is on another planet?
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:
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.
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.
meaning – cost a lot of money
example – Don’t buy coffee at the bus station café, they charge the earth and it’s disgusting.
meaning – fast asleep
example – I had three pints of strong ale and was dead to the world.
meaning – benefit someone greatly
example – A spinach and kale smoothie always does me the world of good.
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.
meaning – realistic, unpretentious, humble
example – Did you know Harry is a millionaire? He’s so down to earth.
meaning – from all parts of the earth
example – People come from the four corners of the earth to see the Grand Canyon.
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…
meaning – a sophisticated/wise person with lots of life experience
example – Kira is a woman of the world, she doesn’t need your help.
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.
meaning – feel great/happy
example – We’ve just bought the house of our dreams, we’re on top of the world.
meaning – a good honest person
example – I’m sorry for your loss, your father was the salt of the earth.
meaning – enjoy watching people pass by
example – I’m going to sit in a coffee shop and 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?
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:
meaning – spend time in the sun to get darker skin
example – How was your holiday? It looks like you caught some rays.
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.
meaning – someone/something that makes a person or place happier
example – Lucy’s new puppy is a ray of sunshine.
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.
