Autumn Idioms

Autumn Idioms

As the leaves turn golden and a crisp breeze whispers through the air, autumn paints the world in a stunning palette. But the magic of this season isn’t limited to the scenery. The English language boasts a harvest of colorful idioms that capture the essence of autumn. Let’s rake through these gems and discover how they can enrich your writing!

List of Autumn Idioms

Autumn Idioms with Meaning and Examples

Autumn years

• Meaning: Referring to the later years of life, typically retirement age and beyond.
• Example: In their autumn years, they enjoyed traveling and spending time with grandchildren.

Fall on deaf ears

• Meaning: When something, such as advice or a plea, is ignored or disregarded.
• Example: His warnings about the dangers of smoking fell on deaf ears, and now he’s suffering from lung cancer.

Fall from grace

• Meaning: A sudden loss of prestige or favor, usually due to one’s own actions.
• Example: After the scandal, the politician experienced a rapid fall from grace and lost the support of the public.

Harvest time

• Meaning: The time of year when crops are gathered from the fields.
• Example: Autumn is harvest time in the countryside, with farmers working long hours to collect their crops.

In the autumn of one’s life

• Meaning: Referring to the later stages of life, typically when one is elderly.
• Example: She spent her time volunteering and traveling in the autumn of her life.

Turn over a new leaf

• Meaning: To make a fresh start or change for the better.
• Example: After years of unhealthy habits, he decided to turn over a new leaf and adopt a healthier lifestyle.

Chill in the air

• Meaning: A noticeable decrease in temperature, indicating the onset of colder weather.
• Example: As September came to an end, there was a chill in the air, signaling the arrival of autumn.

Gather nuts in May

• Meaning: To engage in a pointless or unnecessary activity, as nuts are typically gathered in autumn, not May.
• Example: Spending hours organizing his desk was like gathering nuts in May; it was unnecessary and unproductive.

Sweater weather

• Meaning: The cool, crisp weather of autumn that necessitates wearing sweaters or light jackets.
• Example: I love sweater weather; it’s the perfect time to cozy up with a book and a cup of tea.

Indian summer

• Meaning: A period of unseasonably warm, dry weather occurring in late autumn.
• Example: We enjoyed an Indian summer this year, with warm temperatures lasting well into October.

Autumn leaves

• Meaning: Referring to the colorful leaves that fall from trees during the autumn season.
• Example: The children played in the pile of autumn leaves, tossing them into the air and laughing.

Turning a new leaf

• Meaning: Similar to “turn over a new leaf,” meaning to make a fresh start or change for the better.
• Example: After the divorce, she decided to turn a new leaf and focus on her career and personal growth.

The fall of the leaf

• Meaning: The shedding of leaves from trees in autumn.
• Example: With the fall of the leaf, the forest floor was carpeted in vibrant shades of red, orange, and gold.

Autumnal equinox

• Meaning: The point in the year when day and night are of equal length, occurring around September 22nd in the Northern Hemisphere.
• Example: The autumnal equinox marks the official beginning of fall, when the days start to shorten and temperatures cool.

Autumn breeze

• Meaning: The gentle wind that blows during autumn, carrying the scent of fallen leaves and cooler weather.
• Example: Walking through the park, she enjoyed the crisp autumn breeze rustling through the trees.

Falling leaves

• Meaning: Referring to the leaves that detach from trees and fall to the ground during autumn.
• Example: The falling leaves painted the ground in a carpet of red, orange, and yellow.

Golden autumn

• Meaning: Referring to a particularly beautiful or pleasant autumn season.
• Example: With clear skies and mild temperatures, it was a golden autumn, perfect for outdoor activities.

Autumnal glow

• Meaning: The warm, golden light cast by the sun during autumn, especially in the late afternoon.
• Example: The landscape was bathed in an autumnal glow as the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the fields.

Harvest moon

• Meaning: The full moon nearest to the autumnal equinox, traditionally associated with the time for harvesting crops.
• Example: The harvest moon rose above the horizon, illuminating the fields as farmers worked late into the night to gather their crops.

Autumnal foliage

• Meaning: The colorful leaves of trees during the autumn season.
• Example: Tourists flock to New England in the fall to witness the breathtaking autumnal foliage.

Autumnal festival

• Meaning: A celebration or event held during the autumn season, often centered around harvest traditions.
• Example: The town hosts an autumnal festival every October, featuring pumpkin carving, apple bobbing, and hayrides.

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness

• Meaning: A poetic description of autumn, popularized by John Keats in his poem “Ode to Autumn.”
• Example: “Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, close bosom-friend of the maturing sun…”

Fall foliage

• Meaning: The changing colors of leaves on trees during autumn.
• Example: People travel from all over to see the fall foliage in Vermont; it’s breathtaking.

Autumnal colors

• Meaning: The warm and vibrant hues characteristic of autumn leaves.
• Example: The landscape was ablaze with autumnal colors, painting the trees in shades of red, orange, and gold.

Reaping What You Sow

• Meaning: To experience the consequences, either good or bad, of one’s actions.
• Example: After years of hard work, he was finally reaping what he had sown, enjoying the success of his business.

Fall for Something/Someone

• Meaning: To become infatuated or deceived by something or someone.
• Example: She fell for his charms and ended up getting her heart broken.

Batten Down the Hatches

• Meaning: To prepare for a difficult or challenging situation.
• Example: With the storm approaching, they batten down the hatches and secured everything in the house.

A Chill in the Air

• Meaning: A noticeable decrease in temperature, indicating the onset of colder weather.
• Example: There was a chill in the air as they walked through the park, signaling the arrival of autumn.

As Crisp as an Apple

• Meaning: Fresh and invigorating, often used to describe the cool air of autumn.
• Example: The morning air was as crisp as an apple, perfect for a brisk walk.

Squirrels Away

• Meaning: To store or save something for future use, like squirrels gathering nuts for the winter.
• Example: Before the winter sets in, they squirreled away supplies in preparation for the cold weather.

So next time you’re crafting a piece of autumn-themed writing, consider incorporating some of these vibrant idioms. They’ll add a touch of seasonal charm and depth to your work, helping your readers truly fall into the spirit of autumn.

Download the Word of the day