Ever wonder how elements of nature shows up in the way we speak? Nature idioms are phrases inspired by the world around us like forests, rivers, oceans and mountains, that help us describe everyday situations in a colorful and meaningful way.
In this article, you’ll find some interesting idioms about nature, along with easy meanings and examples to show how they’re used. Get ready to learn how these expressions can add a touch of blissful nature to your daily conversations!
12 Nature-Related Idioms With Their Meanings & Examples
- Barking up the wrong tree
- Beat around the bush
- Make hay while the sun shines
- Go out on a limb
- The grass is always greener on the other side
- Into the woods
- A breath of fresh air
- Up a creek without a paddle
- Every cloud has a silver lining
- Put down roots
- Turn over a new leaf
1. Barking up the Wrong Tree
Meaning: Pursuing a mistaken or misguided course of action.
If someone is “barking up the wrong tree,” they are looking in the wrong place or pursuing something that won’t lead to the desired result.
Example: If you’re trying to get a raise by impressing the wrong manager, you’re barking up the wrong tree.
2. Beat Around the Bush
Meaning: Avoiding the main topic or issue.
To “beat around the bush” is to avoid saying something directly, often to delay or soften the truth.
Example: Stop beating around the bush and tell me what you really think.
3. Make Hay While the Sun Shines
Meaning: Taking advantage of favorable conditions.
To “make hay while the sun shines” means to make the most of a good situation or opportunity while it lasts.
Example: You should make hay while the sun shines and finish your project before the deadline.
4. Go Out on a Limb
Meaning: Taking a risk by supporting an unusual or bold idea.
If you “go out on a limb,” you are taking a risk, usually to support something others may not agree with.
Example: She went out on a limb by suggesting a complete overhaul of the system.
5. The Grass Is Always Greener on the Other Side
Meaning: Believing that others have it better than you.
To say “the grass is always greener on the other side” means to think that others have a better situation than yours, even if that’s not true.
Example: She went out on a limb by suggesting a complete overhaul of the system.Example: He always thinks the grass is greener on the other side, but he’s never satisfied.
6. Into the Woods
Meaning: Entering an uncertain or difficult situation.
When someone is “into the woods,” they are dealing with a challenging or unclear situation.
Example: As the deadline approached, we were really into the woods with this project.
7. A Breath of Fresh Air
Meaning: Something or someone that brings a positive change.
If someone is “a breath of fresh air,” they bring a new, refreshing perspective or energy.
Example: Her innovative ideas were a breath of fresh air to the team.
8. Up a Creek Without a Paddle
Meaning: Being in a difficult situation without help or a solution.
If you’re “up a creek without a paddle,” you’re in a tough situation with few options for getting out of it.
Example: When the car broke down in the middle of nowhere, they were up a creek without a paddle.
9. Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining
Meaning: There’s something good in every bad situation.
To say “every cloud has a silver lining” means to believe that even difficult situations have some positive aspects.
Example: She was disappointed when her travel plans got canceled, but spending time at home with her family reminded her that every cloud has a silver lining.
10. Put Down Roots
Meaning: Settling into a place or community.
If you “put down roots,” you’re becoming established in a new place, often by creating strong connections with people and the area.
Example: After moving around for years, they decided it was time to put down roots and buy a house.
11. Turn Over a New Leaf
Meaning: Making a fresh start or changing one’s behavior.
To “turn over a new leaf” means to start fresh or adopt better habits, often after a period of mistakes or difficulties.
Example: He promised to turn over a new leaf and start being more punctual.
Commonly Used Earth-inspired Nature Idioms
There are many idioms related to earth that can be used easily in our daily conversations to express different feelings and situations. Below are some common earth idioms with their meanings and examples.
12. Move Heaven and Earth
Meaning: Do everything possible to achieve something.
To “move heaven and earth” means to do everything within your power to accomplish a goal, often implying great effort and determination.
Example: They would move heaven and earth to ensure their child’s safety.
13. Earth-shattering
Meaning: Extremely surprising or shocking.
To describe something as “earth-shattering” means it has a profound impact or is shockingly surprising, comparable to the effect of an earthquake.
Example: The news of the merger was earth-shattering for the employees.
14. Down to Earth
Meaning: Practical and realistic.
To be “down to earth” means to be practical, realistic, and humble, often with a focus on simplicity and avoiding pretense.
Example: Despite his success, he’s remained down to earth.
River and Ocean Idioms for Everyday Language
River and ocean idioms enrich our daily conversations, using imagery of flowing water and vast seas to convey various emotions and situations. Here are some popular water-themed idioms and their meanings.
15. Bridge Over Troubled Water
Meaning: To support or comfort someone during a difficult time.
This idiom symbolizes a bridge helping someone cross turbulent waters, much like offering comfort or guidance when they’re going through struggles.
Example: When she lost her job, her friends acted as a bridge over troubled water, helping her get back on her feet.
16. Like a Fish Out of Water
Meaning: To feel uncomfortable or out of place.
This expression compares someone’s discomfort to a fish out of its natural environment, where it would struggle to survive.
Example: He felt like a fish out of water at the formal gala, as he wasn’t used to such events.
17. River of Tears
Meaning: To cry a lot or express deep sorrow.
This idiom refers to shedding a large number of tears, creating a figurative “river,” often due to grief or despair.
Example: After the loss of her beloved pet, she was in a river of tears for days.
18. All at Sea
Meaning: To feel confused or uncertain.
To be “all at sea” means to feel lost or bewildered, like a sailor who doesn’t know which direction to take.
Example: When she started her new job, she was all at sea with the unfamiliar procedures.
Bonus Idioms Related to Forest and Natural Wildlife
Forest and wildlife idioms add vibrant expressions to our daily conversations, using imagery of dense forests and diverse animals to depict various emotions and scenarios. Here are some popular nature-themed idioms and their meanings with examples.
19. Can’t See the Forest for the Trees
Meaning: To be so focused on small details that one misses the bigger picture.
This english expression related to forest suggests that someone is so absorbed in looking at individual trees that they fail to see the entire forest, or the broader context.
Example: She was so caught up in perfecting every detail of her presentation that she couldn’t see the forest for the trees.
20. Cry Wolf
Meaning: To raise a false alarm or call for help when it’s not needed.
This idiom comes from the fable about a boy who repeatedly lied about being in danger, making people doubt him even when he truly needed help.
Example: She’s cried wolf so many times that no one believed her when he actually got into trouble.
21. In the Lion’s Den
Meaning: To be in a dangerous, uncomfortable, or challenging situation, often facing hostility or risk.
This wildlife idiom suggests being in a place as risky as a lion’s den, where one is surrounded by potential threats or challenges.
Example: When he stood up to give his speech to the hostile crowd, he felt like he was in the lion’s den..
Illustrations of Nature Related Idioms
These images of nature-related idioms perfectly capture their meanings. By looking at these illustrations, you can easily guess the idioms being portrayed. These clear and engaging infographics bring these colorful english phrases to life, making it easy to understand the underlying meanings of nature idioms in an insightful way.
- Hitting Rock Bottom
2. Reaching for the Stars
3. Walking on thin Ice
4. Mountain Out of Molehill
5. Out of the Woods
Enjoying these idioms? We have a whole idioms collection for you to explore! Our massive idioms library is categorized into various themes, so you can find the perfect expression.
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