Summer idioms

Dog Days of Summer

Definition: The hottest days of summer, usually in July and August (Note: Boston temperatures always fluctuate, if you can recall the 90 degrees Fahrenheit weather we had last week and today, compared with the 60 degree temperature this past weekend…)

Origin: This phrase actually derives from astronomy. Dog days originated in ancient Roman times when people noticed that the star Sirius (known as the dog star in the “Big Dog Constellation” because of its extreme brightness) would rise with the sun from July to August. The Romans assumed that the two stars caused the hottest days of the summer–which turns out to not actually be true.

Example:

If only we could get as much done through the dogs days of summer as we can through the rest of year, but it’s just too hot!

Soak up the sun

Definition: Absorb the sun (get a suntan); enjoy the sunshine. This phrase is often used in the summertime.

Examples:

I want to lie on the beach and soak up some sun. Hopefully I will get a tan!
When I was on vacation, I spent a lot of time lying on the beach and soaking up the sun.

Soak up some sun

Definition: Soak up means to absorb or enjoy something that exists around someone, and the entire phrase is similar to suntan.

Example: Enjoy the sun’s rays on your skin! You can soak up the sun on the beach and get a tan. What a perfect way to spend a summer day.

A ray of sunshine

Definition: A ray of sunshine is something or someone that makes people feel very happy, cheerful or optimistic.

Example: Monday mornings are tough, but when our boss brings us a box of donuts and coffee, it’s like a ray of sunshine in the office!

It’s a scorcher!

Definition: A scorcher is a very hot day.

Example: Tomorrow will be a scorcher! Hopefully the summer won’t have too many of those!

A day at the beach

Definition: A day at the beach is used as a metaphor to mean something that is very enjoyable, pleasant or easy.

Example: We thought that moving to a new house would be very difficult, but we hired a great moving company, and it turned out that the move was really a day at the beach!

So, how is your summer so far? Did you already have “a day at the beach”?

Check out more summer-related idioms in English: