15 autumn idioms & expressions
English vocabulary for the colourful autumn season.
Learn English autumn idioms
[Last updated on 29/09/2023]
Welcome to our journey into the heart of autumn. As the summer warmth gently fades, a new chapter unfolds, painting the world in hues of red, orange and gold. In this blog, we explore 15 autumn idioms and expressions that are connected to the autumn season and the magic of harvest time.
This is also a good example of the differences between British English and American English. ‘Autumn’ is British English, and ‘fall’ is American English. Even so, we cover some exciting expressions that are topical for this magical season in both the UK and America too!
autumn years
Meaning
refers to the later years of a person’s life, typically associated with retirement and old age.
Example
After working hard for decades, John looked forward to enjoying his autumn years relaxing, spending time with his grandchildren, and travelling.
burst of colour
Meaning
a vibrant display of various colors over a short period of time.
Example
As the leaves change, the forest transforms with a stunning burst of colour that attracts visitors from all around.
nip in the air
Meaning
a slight chill or coldness outdoors.
Example
Despite the sunny weather, there was a noticeable nip in the air and we could tell that autumn was approaching.
crisp and clear
Meaning
used to describe refreshing weather with cold and dry air.
Example
The morning was crisp and clear, making it the perfect time for a hike through the autumn woods.
Indian summer
Meaning
a period of unseasonably warm and dry weather that occurs in autumn.
Example
After a lot of rain, we were treated to a delightful Indian summer, allowing us to have one more weekend together in the sun.
autumn breeze
Meaning
a gentle and refreshing wind that is characteristic of the autumn season.
Example
Walking in the park, I felt the cool and refreshing touch of the autumn breeze against my face.
under the harvest moon
Meaning
refers to events or activities taking place during the autumn months, particularly when the moon is full and bright.
Example
The outdoor concert was held under the harvest moon, creating a magical atmosphere for all the attendees.
reap what you sow
Meaning
to experience the results, either positive or negative, of your own actions. (This is linked to autumn because “sow” means to plant seeds and “reap” means to gather a crop.)
Example
The new manager learned the hard way that you reap what you sow. After months of treating his staff without respect, team performance was worse than before, and several employess had resigned.
batten down the hatches
Meaning
to prepare for difficult times or challenges ahead.
Example
As the late autumn days grew colder, the farmers knew it was time to batten down the hatches. They finished harvesting the last of the crops, stocked up on supplies, and ensured their livestock had enough food and shelter to survive the upcoming winter.
lay in supplies
Meaning
to collect and store something for an upcoming event or challenging time.
Example
Before the winter storms arrived, the villagers made sure to lay in supplies of firewood, food, and warm clothing.
ripe for the picking
Meaning
refers to a situation or opportunity that is favorable and ready to be seized for maximum benefit (similar to the best time to harvest crops).
Example
The stock market was ripe for the picking, and experienced investors knew it was time to buy low and sell high.
rake something in
Meaning
to earn or accumulate a large amount of something, usually money or profits. (A rake is also a tool used to gather leaves in autumn.)
Example
The successful launch of their new product allowed the company to rake in substantial profits in just the first quarter of the year.
squirrel away
Meaning
to save or hide something for future use (like a squirrel collecting food for the winter).
Example
Over the years, he had squirreled away a huge amount of money so that he could enjoy his retirement to the full.
save for a rainy day
Meaning
to save money or resources for a future time of need or emergency.
Example
Rather than spending all his earnings, John always made sure to save some for a rainy day, ensuring he had a financial safety net.
out of the woods
Meaning
to be free from a difficult situation or challenge.
Example
Although the storm caused significant damage, the worst is over, and we’re out of the woods in terms of immediate danger.
Start using autumn idioms and expressions
In earlier blogs we completed the transition from spring to summer with a collection of spring expressions and summer idioms. Now, as the sun sets on our captivating journey through the colourful autumn season, we invite you to start using some of these unique autumn idioms and expressions to expand your personal language journey too.
We wish you an enjoyable and relaxing autumn before the long cold nights of winter!
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