Roses aren’t just beautiful flowers; they also inspire phrases called idioms. These are special expressions where the words have a different meaning when put together. This post will share some common rose-related idioms, explain what they mean, and show how to use them in a sentence.
Rose Idioms
Here are 20 rose idioms in English with meaning and example sentence for each.
Coming up roses
Meaning: Everything is going well.
Example: After many challenges, everything is coming up roses for her.
Rose-colored glasses
Meaning: An overly optimistic view.
Example: He sees life through rose-colored glasses.
A rose by any other name
Meaning: The name of something doesn’t affect what it really is.
Example: A luxury car, a rose by any other name, is still expensive.
Bed of roses
Meaning: A very comfortable situation.
Example: Retirement for him is like a bed of roses.
Every rose has its thorn
Meaning: Every good thing has a downside.
Example: Remember, every rose has its thorn.
Rose-tinted view
Meaning: Unrealistically optimistic perspective.
Example: Her rose-tinted view on life is refreshing.
Roses all the way
Meaning: Everything goes smoothly.
Example: It was roses all the way at her wedding.
No rose without a prick
Meaning: Nothing good comes without difficulties.
Example: Well, there’s no rose without a prick.
Sub-rosa
Meaning: Done in secret.
Example: The deal was made sub-rosa.
Under the rose
Meaning: To keep something confidential.
Example: They spoke under the rose about the surprise party.
A rose in December
Meaning: Something unusual or unexpected.
Example: His help was like a rose in December.
Life is not a bed of roses
Meaning: Life is not always easy or pleasant.
Example: As they say, life is not a bed of roses.
To prick oneself with a rose
Meaning: To suffer from a careless mistake.
Example: He really pricked himself with a rose on that deal.
To smell the roses
Meaning: To relax; to take time to enjoy.
Example: Sometimes you need to stop and smell the roses.
Rose garden promise
Meaning: Unrealistic assurances.
Example: His plans were just a rose garden promise.
Wild rose
Meaning: Something naturally beautiful.
Example: Her style is like a wild rose, effortless and beautiful.
Late bloomer, like a rose
Meaning: Someone who becomes successful later.
Example: She’s a late bloomer, like a rose.
In a rose fog
Meaning: Confused or unable to see clearly.
Example: He’s been in a rose fog since the news broke.
Rose of the winds
Meaning: Compass; indicating direction.
Example: He followed his own rose of the winds.
The rose and the thorn
Meaning: Both the good and bad aspects.
Example: Marriage is both the rose and the thorn.
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