As the leaves turn golden and a cool breeze whispers through the air, autumn arrives, bringing with it a bounty of beautiful imagery and…idioms? That’s right! Autumn is a season bursting with colorful expressions that capture its essence perfectly. Let’s rake in a harvest of some delightful autumn idioms and explore how they can enrich your vocabulary.
List of Autumn Idioms
Fall into place
Autumn years
Autumn of life
Fall back
Fall behind
Fall flat
Fall for
Fall off the wagon
Fall off the radar
Fall on deaf ears
Fall out
Fall out of favor
Fall through the cracks
Fall to pieces
Leaf peeping
Indian summer
Harvest moon
Gather dust
Turn over a new leaf
Chill in the air
Golden years
Autumnal equinox
Autumnal glow
Falling leaves
Breezy
Crisp
Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness
Apple of my eye
Fruitful
Falling temperatures
Frost on the pumpkin
Pumpkin spice
Sweater weather
Leaf-crunching
Brisk
Cozy
Bonfire night
Cold snap
Hayride
Fall foliage
Mellow
Winding down
Long nights
Dark evenings
Gourd season
Candlelit
Toffee apple
Mulled cider
Harvest festival
Turning Over a New Leaf
Indian Summer
See Red
Reap What You Sow
A Bumper Crop
Sowing the Seeds
Mellow Out
Under the Weather
Autumn of One’s Years
Corn maze
Autumn Idioms with Meaning and Examples
Fall into place
Meaning: To become clear or understandable.
Example: After studying for weeks, everything finally fell into place, and I aced the exam.
Autumn years
Meaning: The later years of a person’s life, typically considered as a time of retirement or old age.
Example: In their autumn years, they decided to travel the world and enjoy their retirement.
Autumn of life
Meaning: The later stages of life; old age.
Example: She’s enjoying the autumn of life, surrounded by her loving family and friends.
Fall back
Meaning: To retreat or move backward.
Example: When the enemy attacked, we had to fall back to a safer position.
Fall behind
Meaning: To fail to keep up with something.
Example: If you fall behind on your payments, you could lose your house.
Fall flat
Meaning: To fail completely; to be unsuccessful.
Example: The comedian’s jokes fell flat, and nobody laughed.
Fall for
Meaning: To be deceived or tricked by someone.
Example: She fell for his smooth talk and ended up lending him money.
Fall off the wagon
Meaning: To revert to a previous bad habit, especially drinking alcohol after a period of abstinence.
Example: After five years of sobriety, he fell off the wagon and started drinking again.
Fall off the radar
Meaning: To become unnoticed or forgotten.
Example: After the scandal, the politician fell off the radar and was rarely seen in public.
Fall on deaf ears
Meaning: To be ignored or disregarded by others.
Example: His warnings about the impending crisis fell on deaf ears, and nobody took him seriously.
Fall out
Meaning: To have a disagreement or argument with someone.
Example: They fell out over money and haven’t spoken to each other since.
Fall out of favor
Meaning: To lose someone’s approval or support.
Example: After the scandal, the politician fell out of favor with the public.
Fall through the cracks
Meaning: To fail to be noticed or dealt with.
Example: The issue fell through the cracks and wasn’t addressed in the meeting.
Fall to pieces
Meaning: To become emotionally or mentally unstable; to lose control.
Example: She fell to pieces when she heard the news of her father’s death.
Leaf peeping
Meaning: The activity of traveling to areas where the foliage is changing color to view and appreciate the autumn leaves.
Example: Every autumn, tourists flock to New England for leaf peeping tours.
Indian summer
Meaning: A period of unseasonably warm weather in autumn, typically occurring after a frost.
Example: We enjoyed an Indian summer in October, with temperatures reaching record highs.
Harvest moon
Meaning: The full moon that occurs nearest to the autumnal equinox, traditionally associated with the time for harvesting crops.
Example: The farmers worked late into the night under the bright light of the harvest moon.
Gather dust
Meaning: To remain unused or neglected for a long time.
Example: The old books in the attic have been gathering dust for years.
Turn over a new leaf
Meaning: To make a fresh start or change one’s behavior for the better.
Example: After getting out of prison, he decided to turn over a new leaf and start his life afresh.
Chill in the air
Meaning: A noticeable coolness in the atmosphere, indicating the arrival of autumn.
Example: There was a chill in the air as we walked through the park, signaling the start of fall.
Golden years
Meaning: A period of retirement or old age when one is free to enjoy life and pursue hobbies.
Example: They’re looking forward to their golden years, traveling the world and spending time with family.
Autumnal equinox
Meaning: The moment when the sun crosses the celestial equator, marking the beginning of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere.
Example: The autumnal equinox occurs around September 22nd each year.
Autumnal glow
Meaning: The warm and golden light characteristic of autumn.
Example: The trees glowed with an autumnal glow as the sun began to set.
Falling leaves
Meaning: Leaves falling from trees, typically in autumn.
Example: The falling leaves painted the ground in shades of red, orange, and yellow.
Breezy
Meaning: Characterized by a gentle wind; pleasantly windy.
Example: It was a breezy autumn afternoon, perfect for flying kites in the park.
Crisp
Meaning: Fresh, cool, and invigorating, especially in reference to autumn weather.
Example: The air was crisp and clean as we went for a walk in the autumn forest.
Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness
Meaning: An evocative description of autumn, highlighting its misty mornings and abundant harvests.
Example: Keats famously described autumn as the “season of mists and mellow fruitfulness” in his poem “To Autumn.”
Apple of my eye
Meaning: Someone or something that is cherished or loved above all others.
Example: His daughter is the apple of his eye, and he would do anything to protect her.
Fruitful
Meaning: Producing good results; productive or profitable.
Example: The autumn harvest was particularly fruitful this year, with bumper crops of apples and pumpkins.
Falling temperatures
Meaning: Decreasing temperatures, indicating the transition from summer to autumn.
Example: With falling temperatures, it was time to unpack the sweaters and jackets for the cooler weather.
Frost on the pumpkin
Meaning: The appearance of frost on pumpkins, symbolizing the arrival of cold weather and autumn.
Example: We woke up to find frost on the pumpkin, signaling the start of autumn.
Pumpkin spice
Meaning: A blend of spices, including cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves, often used to flavor autumn-themed foods and beverages.
Example: I love the smell of pumpkin spice in the air—it reminds me that autumn has arrived.
Sweater weather
Meaning: The cool weather conditions suitable for wearing sweaters or other warm clothing.
Example: I can’t wait for sweater weather to arrive so I can cozy up in my favorite knitwear.
Leaf-crunching
Meaning: The sound made by stepping on fallen leaves, especially dry ones.
Example: We spent the afternoon leaf-crunching in the park, enjoying the crisp autumn air.
Brisk
Meaning: Lively, energetic, or invigorating, especially in reference to autumn weather.
Example: We went for a brisk walk in the autumn forest, enjoying the fresh air and exercise.
Cozy
Meaning: Warm, comfortable, and snug.
Example: We spent a cozy evening by the fire, sipping hot cocoa and watching movies.
Bonfire night
Meaning: A British tradition celebrated on November 5th, marked by bonfires, fireworks, and the burning of effigies of Guy Fawkes.
Example: We had a great time at the bonfire night celebrations, watching the fireworks light up the sky.
Cold snap
Meaning: A sudden and brief period of unusually cold weather.
Example: A cold snap hit the region, causing temperatures to plummet below freezing.
Hayride
Meaning: A recreational activity involving a ride on a wagon or cart filled with hay, often enjoyed in rural areas during autumn.
Example: We went on a hayride through the pumpkin patch, enjoying the autumn scenery and crisp air.
Corn maze
Meaning: A maze made of tall cornstalks, often set up as a recreational activity for visitors during autumn.
Example: We got lost in the corn maze for hours, trying to find our way out.
Fall foliage
Meaning: The colorful leaves of trees during autumn, especially when viewed collectively.
Example: The hillsides were ablaze with the vibrant colors of fall foliage.
Mellow
Meaning: Relaxed, gentle, and pleasant; often used to describe the mood or atmosphere of autumn.
Example: We spent a mellow evening by the fire, enjoying the quiet beauty of the autumn night.
Winding down
Meaning: To gradually come to an end or conclusion; to relax or unwind.
Example: As autumn approached, the pace of life began to wind down, and we prepared for the quieter months ahead.
Long nights
Meaning: Nights that are characterized by darkness or extended periods of darkness, especially as autumn progresses.
Example: As autumn deepened, the long nights became a time for cozy evenings indoors.
Dark evenings
Meaning: Evenings characterized by early darkness, especially as a result of the shorter daylight hours in autumn.
Example: With the onset of autumn, we started to experience dark evenings and shorter days.
Gourd season
Meaning: The time of year when gourds, such as pumpkins and squash, are harvested and enjoyed for their decorative and culinary purposes.
Example: It’s gourd season, and farmers’ markets are filled with an array of colorful pumpkins and squash.
Candlelit
Meaning: Illuminated by candlelight.
Example: We enjoyed a candlelit dinner on the patio, savoring the cozy atmosphere of autumn evenings.
Toffee apple
Meaning: An apple coated in toffee or caramel, often eaten as a sweet treat during autumn festivals such as Halloween.
Example: I love indulging in a toffee apple at the Halloween fair—it’s the perfect autumn treat.
Mulled cider
Meaning: Cider that has been heated and flavored with spices such as cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, often enjoyed as a warm beverage during autumn and winter.
Example: We warmed up with cups of mulled cider after a chilly autumn walk in the woods.
Harvest festival
Meaning: A celebration held in gratitude for the successful harvest of crops, often featuring feasting, music, and other festivities.
Example: The community came together for the annual harvest festival, sharing food, stories, and laughter.
Turning Over a New Leaf
Meaning: To start anew or make a fresh start, especially after a period of difficulty or stagnation.
Example: After her divorce, she decided to turn over a new leaf and focus on building a better future for herself.
Indian Summer
Meaning: A period of unseasonably warm, dry weather that occurs in late autumn, typically after a frost.
Example: We enjoyed an Indian summer in October, with temperatures soaring into the 80s.
See Red
Meaning: To become angry or furious.
Example: When he saw the damage to his car, he saw red and demanded to know who was responsible.
Reap What You Sow
Meaning: To experience the consequences, either good or bad, of one’s actions or behavior.
Example: She had always been kind to others, and now she was reaping what she sowed—a network of supportive friends.
A Bumper Crop
Meaning: An exceptionally large or successful harvest of crops.
Example: Thanks to favorable weather conditions, we had a bumper crop of apples this year.
Sowing the Seeds
Meaning: Taking actions or making preparations that will lead to future benefits or outcomes.
Example: By investing in education, we’re sowing the seeds for a brighter future.
Mellow Out
Meaning: To relax and become calm or less agitated.
Example: After a stressful day at work, I like to mellow out with some soothing music and a warm bath.
Under the Weather
Meaning: To feel unwell or sick.
Example: I’m feeling a bit under the weather today, so I think I’ll stay home and rest.
Autumn of One’s Years
Meaning: The later years of a person’s life, often characterized by retirement and reflection.
Example: In the autumn of his years, he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and pursuing his hobbies.
These autumn idioms are a vibrant bunch, adding a touch of seasonal charm to your conversations. So, next time you’re describing a crisp autumn day or reflecting on a new beginning, consider using one of these colorful expressions. You’ll be sure to leave a lasting impression, and who knows, you might just spark a conversation about the beauty of autumn and the magic of language!
