Nature-inspired expressions are not only poetic but also rich in meaning. They can vividly convey emotions, situations, and observations. Here are 20 idioms and phrasal verbs related to nature, each with a short meaning and an example sentence to help you understand and use them effectively.
1. A breath of fresh air
Meaning: Something new and refreshing.
Example: Her ideas are a breath of fresh air.
2. Beat around the bush
Meaning: Avoiding the main topic.
Example: Stop beating around the bush and answer me!
3. Barking up the wrong tree
Meaning: Pursuing a mistaken course.
Example: You’re barking up the wrong tree with that theory.
4. Break the ice
Meaning: Ease initial tension.
Example: He told a joke to break the ice.
5. Calm before the storm
Meaning: Peace before chaos.
Example: The eerie silence was the calm before the storm.
6. Can’t see the forest for the trees
Meaning: Overlooking the big picture.
Example: You’re focusing too much; you can’t see the forest for the trees.
7. Down to earth
Meaning: Practical and realistic.
Example: Despite his fame, he’s very down to earth.
8. Face the music
Meaning: Accept the consequences.
Example: You have to face the music for your actions.
9. Hit the hay
Meaning: Go to bed.
Example: I’m tired; it’s time to hit the hay.
10. It’s raining cats and dogs
Meaning: Raining heavily.
Example: We stayed inside because it’s raining cats and dogs.
11. Make hay while the sun shines
Meaning: Take advantage of opportunities.
Example: We should make hay while the sun shines and start now.
12. Nip in the bud
Meaning: Stop something early.
Example: We need to nip this problem in the bud.
13. Out of the woods
Meaning: Out of danger.
Example: After surgery, he’s out of the woods now.
14. Once in a blue moon
Meaning: Rarely.
Example: We only see him once in a blue moon.
15. Pushing up daisies
Meaning: Dead.
Example: If we don’t leave now, we’ll be pushing up daisies.
16. Spill the beans
Meaning: Reveal a secret.
Example: She couldn’t help but spill the beans about the surprise.
17. Take a rain check
Meaning: Postpone a plan.
Example: I’ll take a rain check on that dinner invitation.
18. Under the weather
Meaning: Feeling sick.
Example: He’s feeling under the weather today.
19. Weather the storm
Meaning: Survive difficulties.
Example: We have to weather the storm together.
20. With flying colors
Meaning: Successfully.
Example: She passed the test with flying colors.
