7 English Idioms for the Autumn Season
“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”
― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
It’s October! And that means it’s the perfect time to boost your vocabulary this week with English idioms that use autumn vocabulary!
Where I come from, October is THE month of autumn. It’s the month when…
- trees become flowers for a short time with the leaves changing from green to red, orange, yellow, gold, and rust.
- the air becomes brisk and the wind much colder, which means it’s time for jackets and scarves.
- you can begin to smell winter coming. Have you noticed that before? The smell of winter?
- we eat apples and pumpkin. In fact, pumpkin is everywhere. You can find pumpkin-spiced cakes, cookies, and even coffee!
That is October for me. I’d love to know, what is October like where you live? After you do this lesson, please share about your October in the comments.
But now let’s get to our lesson: 7 Idioms for the Autumn Season. These idioms use vocabulary that is common during the fall months.
My favorite idioms with autumn vocabulary.
Lesson by Annemarie
Apple of (someone’s) eye
The person who is most loved or cherished by someone else; the person someone is most proud of.
Example: Did he know he has 9 grandchildren!! And all of them are boys except for one. And his granddaughter is certainly the apple of his eye. He adores her.
The apple never falls far from the tree
Used when someone has characters or traits as his/her relatives or parents; when someone behaves just like his/her relatives or parents.
Example: Laura is planning to go to medical school next fall. She says she wants to be a surgeon like her father and grandfather. I guess the apple never falls far from the tree.
To drive someone nuts
To make someone feel crazy; to exasperate someone; to make someone feel annoyed to distraction. (Similar expressions: to drive someone crazy, to drive someone bonkers, to drive someone up a wall)
Example: PLEASE turn down your music!!! I can’t think, I can’t study, I can’t do anything. You’re driving me nuts!
To turn over a new leaf
To begin again; to start anew; to reform; to refresh.
Example: I’m serious this time. I know I always say I’m going to quit smoking but I’m really serious. It’s time to turn over a new leaf. I just had my annual medical exam and it wasn’t good. It’s time to quit.
Save for a rainy day
To reserve something (usually money) for a future need. (Similar expressions: to put something away for a rainy day, to keep something for a rainy day)
Example: I didn’t expect to receive this much for my annual bonus! I’m glad to have some extra money to save for a rainy day.
Example: I just purchased a new board game for the kids. They’re going to love it! But I’m not going to give it to them yet. I saved it for a rainy day during the winter school break.
To feel/be under the weather
To feel ill; unwell.
Example: I’m so sorry to cancel our lunch meeting but I’m feeling under the weather. I think it’s best if I go home to get some rest. I can’t afford to be sick this week!
To get wind of something
To learn of or hear about something; to learn about something secret; to hear a piece of information that was supposed to be a secret.
Example: I just had a job interview with a new company! I’m so excited. But please don’t tell anyone yet. I don’t want my boss to get wind of the fact that I’m looking for a new job.
After you’ve watched the video and reviewed the lesson, I’d love to hear from you!
- Tell me, what is your favorite idiom from this list? Share it in the comments and try using your own example sentence. That is the BEST way for you to really learn new vocabulary!
- And do you know of other idioms in English that remind you of autumn? If so, share it in the comments so everyone can learn from you.
- Finally, I’d love to know what October is like where you live! Feel free to describe your October in the comments section. It’s a great opportunity to practice additional vocabulary!
Have a great week and thank you for joining me.
~ Annemarie
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Hello, thank you for sharing this wonderful autumn idioms.
I am only beginner in English language. And idioms is hard for me but I want to give my own example.
My children is the apple of my eyes.
Hi Annemarie,
In my country, October is
the end of rainy season,
begining start to change
autumn.But, everybody
can’t fell autumn items
because not the same parts of territories. Some
division not fell and see
that item, continue of rainy
season before the end of
October. But, one of the same item, that is celebrate Thadingyut lighting festival the hole country. Full moon day of Thadingyut can make us
satisfy and happy.So,
October is one of the month in my mind.
Awesome!
Thank You Very Much! 🙂
I will try to use it in my English Speech…
… and October… mmmmm…. yes, I love IT! In all possible ways… I Love October!
October the 9th is my Birthday. 🙂
I wish Warm Autumn moods to everybody 🙂
Happy (belated) birthday! I hope it was wonderful!
– Annemarie
Great! I’m glad you found it useful, Natalya!
~ Annemarie
Hi Annemarie,
Cold months starts in October here in the Philippines, and it’s the third month when we Filipinos start to experience rains, Floods, and typhoon that causes some less fortunate families to evacuate and most often than not we feel under the weather including me. But in spite of that, most of us are busy enough in organizing the upcoming Christmas events and family reunions and vacations.
Hello Arlene,
Thank you for your comment and sharing about the autumn season in the Philippines. It’s interesting to learn what the season is like and I do hope this year you’ll have minimal weather-related challenges!
Best wishes, Annemarie
For me, I really love the winter which will start in a coming month!
The best thing of winter his smell, YES I can smell it perfectly:
– when dust mixed with rain I feel that something was born in life, actually there is!
– chestnuts is very popular fruit in my country – Jordan and very related to winter season.
– as you mentioned, scarves and cozy sweaters my favorite part of winter.
Thank you for your comment, Farah. And I’m excited to know that someone else’s also feels that winter has a smell! 🙂
It was great to read your reasons for enjoying the winter. I didn’t know that chestnuts were popular in Jordan! There are popular where I come from, too. We roasted them during the winter season, particularly in December.
Enjoy your winter season next month! ~ Annemarie
Hi, Annamarie! And again, a huge word of thanks to you for this lesson! Here in Ukraine officially Autumn starts in September, but all its colors you can see only in October. My town is a green one, so I love walking in its parks in October admiring how trees change the color of their leaves into red, yellow, brown – all these colors are very warm for me. But this year October is different, it’s extremely cold outside!! And there are almost no sunny days…it’s pity! Because of such weather everyone is under weather, including me! So, there are… Read more »
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Maria!
An October without any sun is a pity! But hopefully, you’re still able to enjoy the warmth of the colors!
Get some rest and feel better soon! ~ Annemarie