Summer Idioms and Phrases To Add to Your Vocabulary

We’re in the dog days of summer, so let’s activate vacation mode and fire up the grill, rain or shine.

If you’re not familiar with these idioms and phrases, you may find yourself baffled when hearing a sentence like the one above. But don’t you worry. Below, we’re going to go over the basics, like what idioms are, and then review ten summer-themed expressions to help you stay as cool as a cucumber when having conversations with native speakers.

Let’s start learning!

Before We Begin: What’s an Idiom?

To understand the idioms listed below, you must first know what an idiom is.

An idiom is a type of figurative language in which the meaning of the whole phrase cannot be derived from the meaning of the individual words.

Let’s take a look at a common idiom:

Kick the bucket

If you’re learning English, you may be aware that the verb to kick means to strike or propel something forward with the use of your foot. You may also know that bucket is a noun that refers to a round, open container that is typically used to hold and carry liquids.

When you join these two words with the article the, it will be difficult to conceive that kick the bucket is an expression that means “to die.”

The only way to understand idioms is to familiarize yourself with them.

Now that we know what they are, let’s go over ten expressions that are perfect for summer.

10 Summer Idioms and Phrases

These idioms are ideal for summer because a lot of them reference common themes of the season, like sunshine and vacation. However, they can be used throughout the year, which is why it’s a good idea to study and learn them.

1. Beach Bum

A beach bum refers to “someone who spends a lot of their time at the beach, usually lounging around and getting a tan.”

Julissa is a total beach bum and proud of it! All she does is spend time at the beach.

2. Catch Some Rays

To catch some rays means “to spend time outdoors, specifically when it’s sunny.” The word rays refers to the sun’s rays.

It’s a beautiful day out. We should go catch some rays.

3. Cool as a Cucumber

If you’re cool as a cucumber, that means your attitude is “calm and collected.”

I know it’s supposed to rain today, but I’m not worried. I’m as cool as a cucumber.

4. Dog Days of Summer

The dog days of summer are “the hottest and most humid days of the season.” The dates vary depending on the region, but in the Northern Hemisphere, they usually fall between early June and early August.

Ugh, it’s so hot. The dog days of summer are upon us.

5. Fire Up the Grill

To fire up the grill means “to start or prepare the barbecue for an outdoor cooking session.” However, it’s sometimes used more loosely to mean “to get (something) started.”

I’m hungry. Let’s fire up the grill and make some hot dogs.

6. Rain or Shine

When someone says something is happening rain or shine, that means that it’s occurring “regardless of weather or circumstance.”

It’s the last day of my vacation. I’m going to the beach, rain or shine!

7. Summer Fling

A summer fling is “a short or casual relationship that occurs during the summer.”

She’s sweet. We had a summer fling, but we still talk from time to time.

8. Sunny Disposition

If someone has a sunny disposition, that means they’re “lively, cheerful, and have a positive attitude.”

My favorite thing about my little brother is that he always has a sunny disposition no matter what.

9. Sun-Kissed

Sun-kissed describes a person’s skin that is “tanned after being in the sun.”

You must have been at the beach today; you’re sun-kissed!

10. Vacation Mode

Vacation mode describes “a state of mind in which you are relaxed and carefree, and is usually associated with being on vacation.”

My body is back at the office, but my mind is still on vacation mode.

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Remembering these idioms will help you expand your English skills. LanguageTool—an advanced, multilingual writing assistant—can enhance your writing by helping you paraphrase your sentences to be more fluent, formal, simple, or concise. It also corrects various types of errors and suggests stylistic improvements to ensure your writing is exceptional.

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