People meet for many reasons. Friends meet to hang out. Families come together for meals. Teams gather to play or work on a project. We use special phrases, called idioms, to talk about these kinds of meetings. These phrases make language fun and easy to understand.
Idioms about meetings can describe people joining for fun, for help, or for work. Some idioms talk about big groups, while others show teamwork. In this article, you will learn some idioms that describe how people meet and what they do when they come together. These idioms can help you sound more natural when you speak English. You might even hear these phrases in movies, shows, or at school.
Idioms About Meetings
1. Join forces
Meaning: To work together for a shared goal.
Example Sentence:
• The students joined forces to clean the playground.
• The two teams joined forces to help raise money.
Other ways to say: Work together, team up
Fun Fact/Origin: It comes from the army, where soldiers combine their strength.
Usage: Use when people work together for something.
2. Come together
Meaning: To unite as a group.
Example Sentence:
• The town came together to fix the broken park.
• The kids came together to build a snow fort.
Other ways to say: Gather, unite
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom became famous from a song by The Beatles.
Usage: Use when people gather for a reason.
3. Birds of a feather flock together
Meaning: People with similar interests stay together.
Example Sentence:
• All the basketball fans hang out. Birds of a feather flock together.
• The art kids always sit together. Birds of a feather flock together.
Other ways to say: Like attracts like, stick together
Fun Fact/Origin: Birds from the same kind fly in groups.
Usage: Use to describe people who stick with similar friends.
4. Rally around
Meaning: To support someone or something as a group.
Example Sentence:
• The school rallied around the family who lost their home.
• We rallied around our coach when he got sick.
Other ways to say: Support, stand by
Fun Fact/Origin: “Rally” comes from French, meaning “bring together.”
Usage: Use when people give help in tough times.
5. Pack in like sardines
Meaning: To crowd too many people into a space.
Example Sentence:
• We were packed in like sardines on the school bus.
• The movie theater was packed in like sardines.
Other ways to say: Cram in, squeeze in
Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from how sardines are tightly packed in cans.
Usage: Use when a place is overcrowded.
6. Round up
Meaning: To gather people or things together.
Example Sentence:
• The teacher rounded up the students for recess.
• Dad rounded up the kids for dinner.
Other ways to say: Gather, collect
Fun Fact/Origin: Cowboys used this when gathering cattle.
Usage: Use when calling a group together.
7. Pull together
Meaning: To work as a team.
Example Sentence:
• We pulled together to finish the school project.
• Everyone pulled together to help after the storm.
Other ways to say: Cooperate, help each other
Fun Fact/Origin: From sailing, where pulling ropes together helped steer the ship.
Usage: Use when teamwork is needed.
8. Mob scene
Meaning: A place that is extremely crowded.
Example Sentence:
• The mall was a mob scene on Black Friday.
• It was a mob scene at the parade.
Other ways to say: Huge crowd, packed place
Fun Fact/Origin: “Mob” means a big, noisy crowd.
Usage: Use when places are packed with people.
9. Gather steam
Meaning: To build energy or support over time.
Example Sentence:
• The school fundraiser gathered steam after the news spread.
• The clean-up plan gathered steam when more kids joined.
Other ways to say: Gain momentum, pick up speed
Fun Fact/Origin: From steam engines, which get stronger as steam builds up.
Usage: Use when something is growing or getting more help.
10. Clump together
Meaning: To form a close group.
Example Sentence:
• The kids clumped together to watch the lizard.
• People clumped together near the food table.
Other ways to say: Huddle, bunch up
Fun Fact/Origin: “Clump” means a close group of things.
Usage: Use when people or things gather close.
11. Herd together
Meaning: To move as a group.
Example Sentence:
• The students herded together into the gym.
• Shoppers herded together when the store opened.
Other ways to say: Crowd together, move in a group
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from how animals move in herds.
Usage: Use when people move as one group.
12. Rub elbows with
Meaning: To mix with important or famous people.
Example Sentence:
• She rubbed elbows with celebrities at the show.
• He rubbed elbows with business leaders at the event.
Other ways to say: Mingle with, meet important people
Fun Fact/Origin: It comes from crowded events where people stand close.
Usage: Use when someone is around famous or popular people.
13. Run with the crowd
Meaning: To follow what others are doing.
Example Sentence:
• He ran with the crowd and wore the same sneakers.
• She joined the art club just to run with the crowd.
Other ways to say: Follow the group, go with the flow
Fun Fact/Origin: It means not thinking for yourself, just copying others.
Usage: Use when someone follows others to fit in.
14. Mix and mingle
Meaning: To talk and interact in a social setting.
Example Sentence:
• Guests mixed and mingled at the school party.
• We mixed and mingled during the ice cream social.
Other ways to say: Socialize, talk with people
Fun Fact/Origin: “Mingle” means to move around in a group.
Usage: Use when people chat at events.
15. Band together
Meaning: To unite for a cause.
Example Sentence:
• The students banded together to clean the park.
• The workers banded together to ask for safety rules.
Other ways to say: Join forces, unite
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from forming a “band” or group.
Usage: Use when people team up for something important.
16. Come in droves
Meaning: To arrive in large numbers.
Example Sentence:
• Shoppers came in droves on the weekend.
• Fans came in droves to see the star player.
Other ways to say: Arrive in crowds, show up in big groups
Fun Fact/Origin: “Droves” comes from herds of animals moving together.
Usage: Use when many people show up at once.
17. Circle the wagons
Meaning: To unite and protect against trouble.
Example Sentence:
• The team circled the wagons after losing their leader.
• The family circled the wagons when money got tight.
Other ways to say: Defend together, stand as one
Fun Fact/Origin: Pioneers circled wagons to protect themselves.
Usage: Use when a group sticks together during hard times.
18. Come out in full force
Meaning: To show up in large numbers for support.
Example Sentence:
• Fans came out in full force at the game.
• The whole school came out in full force for the food drive.
Other ways to say: Show up strongly, gather to support
Fun Fact/Origin: “Full force” means using all strength or people.
Usage: Use when big crowds come to support something.
19. Pile in
Meaning: To enter a place in a crowded or fast way.
Example Sentence:
• The kids piled into the van after school.
• Fans piled into the gym before the concert.
Other ways to say: Rush in, crowd in
Fun Fact/Origin: It looks like people are stacking up when entering fast.
Usage: Use when many people enter a space quickly.
20. All hands on deck
Meaning: Everyone must help.
Example Sentence:
• It was all hands on deck to clean the classroom.
• When the event started, it was all hands on deck.
Other ways to say: Everyone helps, teamwork needed
Fun Fact/Origin: From ships, where all sailors were needed in trouble.
Usage: Use when everyone is needed to work.
21. Form a line
Meaning: To gather in an orderly way.
Example Sentence:
• Kids formed a line to get lunch.
• People formed a line outside the store.
Other ways to say: Line up, queue up
Fun Fact/Origin: “Queue” is more common in British English.
Usage: Use when people line up neatly.
22. Close ranks
Meaning: To stick together in support.
Example Sentence:
• The team closed ranks when their captain was hurt.
• The family closed ranks during a hard time.
Other ways to say: Stand together, show support
Fun Fact/Origin: From the army, when soldiers stood closer for defense.
Usage: Use when people unite to protect or support each other.
23. Muster up
Meaning: To gather people or courage.
Example Sentence:
• She mustered up the courage to sing.
• The coach mustered up the team for practice.
Other ways to say: Gather, summon
Fun Fact/Origin: From the military, “muster” means to gather troops.
Usage: Use when calling people or courage together.
24. Huddle up
Meaning: To gather closely for discussion.
Example Sentence:
• The players huddled up before the play.
• We huddled up to plan the surprise party.
Other ways to say: Group up, gather closely
Fun Fact/Origin: Common in sports before action begins.
Usage: Use when people gather close to talk.
25. Go in droves
Meaning: To move in large groups.
Example Sentence:
• Families went in droves to the fair.
• People went in droves to see the parade.
Other ways to say: Arrive in crowds, show up in large numbers
Fun Fact/Origin: “Droves” refers to big herds of animals.
Usage: Use when people go somewhere together.
26. Swarm around
Meaning: To gather closely around someone or something.
Example Sentence:
• Kids swarmed around the ice cream truck.
• Fans swarmed around the singer.
Other ways to say: Crowd around, rush around
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from bees swarming.
Usage: Use when groups rush toward something.
27. Draw a crowd
Meaning: To attract many people.
Example Sentence:
• The magician drew a crowd at the park.
• The new shop is drawing a big crowd.
Other ways to say: Get attention, bring people in
Fun Fact/Origin: “Draw” means to pull, like pulling people in.
Usage: Use when something makes people gather.
28. Call a meeting
Meaning: To ask a group to come together.
Example Sentence:
• The teacher called a meeting for the field trip.
• The coach called a meeting to share new plans.
Other ways to say: Gather people, have a discussion
Fun Fact/Origin: “Meeting” comes from an old word meaning “come together.”
Usage: Use when someone asks others to meet.
29. Pack the house
Meaning: To fill a place with many people.
Example Sentence:
• The school play packed the house on opening night.
• The concert packed the house with fans.
Other ways to say: Fill up, bring a big crowd
Fun Fact/Origin: From theater shows with full audiences.
Usage: Use when an event fills all the seats.
30. Cram in
Meaning: To fit too many people or things into a space.
Example Sentence:
• We crammed into the elevator after lunch.
• Kids crammed into the classroom before the bell.
Other ways to say: Squeeze in, stuff in
Fun Fact/Origin: “Cram” means to push things in forcefully.
Usage: Use when spaces are very full.
31. Flood in
Meaning: To arrive in large numbers at once.
Example Sentence:
• People flooded in when the doors opened.
• Fans flooded into the arena before the game.
Other ways to say: Rush in, pour in
Fun Fact/Origin: Like water rushing in during a flood.
Usage: Use when crowds enter quickly.
32. Stick together
Meaning: To stay close as a group.
Example Sentence:
• The kids stuck together during the trip.
• Friends should stick together through everything.
Other ways to say: Stay close, remain united
Fun Fact/Origin: It comes from things that are glued together.
Usage: Use when groups stay with each other.
33. Heap up
Meaning: To pile up in a group.
Example Sentence:
• The coats heaped up near the door.
• Leaves heaped up in the yard after the storm.
Other ways to say: Pile up, stack
Fun Fact/Origin: “Heap” means a big pile of things.
Usage: Use when things collect in piles.
34. Jam-packed
Meaning: Completely full with no extra space.
Example Sentence:
• The bus was jam-packed this morning.
• The theme park was jam-packed with visitors.
Other ways to say: Overcrowded, very full
Fun Fact/Origin: “Jam” means tightly squeezed in.
Usage: Use when places are full.
35. Line up
Meaning: To form a row or wait in order.
Example Sentence:
• Kids lined up for the field trip.
• People lined up to get tickets.
Other ways to say: Queue up, get in order
Fun Fact/Origin: It comes from standing in a straight line.
Usage: Use when people wait their turn.
36. Meet up
Meaning: To gather with others.
Example Sentence:
• We met up at the mall after school.
• The friends met up for a movie night.
Other ways to say: Get together, hang out
Fun Fact/Origin: “Meet” comes from a word meaning face to face.
Usage: Use when friends arrange to see each other.
37. Round the troops
Meaning: To gather people for action.
Example Sentence:
• Mom rounded the troops to clean the house.
• The coach rounded the troops before practice.
Other ways to say: Call together, assemble
Fun Fact/Origin: From military use of “troops” meaning soldiers.
Usage: Use when getting people ready for a task.
38. Shoulder to shoulder
Meaning: Standing or working closely together.
Example Sentence:
• We worked shoulder to shoulder to finish the mural.
• The fans stood shoulder to shoulder at the game.
Other ways to say: Side by side, packed together
Fun Fact/Origin: From soldiers standing in close rows.
Usage: Use when people are very close or united.
Quiz: Idioms About Meetings
Instructions: Read each question and the answer choices carefully. Pick the letter that best matches the meaning of the phrase or expression.
Question Key
1. What does “rally around” mean?
A) To ignore someone in need
B) To gather to support someone
C) To go in different directions
2. If a place is “jam-packed,” what is it like?
A) Very quiet and calm
B) Empty with lots of room
C) Full with no space left
3. What does it mean to “pull together”?
A) To argue with friends
B) To work as a team
C) To walk in a line
4. If people “come in droves,” what are they doing?
A) Arriving in big groups
B) Leaving one by one
C) Standing still
5. What does “rub elbows with” mean?
A) To run into someone
B) To avoid someone important
C) To be near famous or important people
6. When someone says “all hands on deck,” what do they mean?
A) Everyone should leave
B) Everyone should help
C) Everyone should sit quietly
7. What does it mean to “pack in like sardines”?
A) Spread out in a big room
B) Sit in a circle
C) Be tightly packed together
8. If a person “joins the crowd,” what are they doing?
A) Becoming part of a group
B) Leading a parade
C) Going home alone
9. What does “call a meeting” mean?
A) Ask people to come together
B) Ask people to go home
C) Ask people to be quiet
10. If kids “herd together,” what are they doing?
A) Playing alone
B) Moving as a group
C) Lining up for food
11. What does it mean to “muster up courage”?
A) Lose all bravery
B) Wait quietly
C) Gather enough courage
12. What happens when people “swarm around” something?
A) They leave it alone
B) They gather closely around it
C) They take turns slowly
13. What does it mean when people are “shoulder to shoulder”?
A) Standing far apart
B) Talking on the phone
C) Standing or working very close together
Answer Key
- B) To gather to support someone
- C) Full with no space left
- B) To work as a team
- A) Arriving in big groups
- C) To be near famous or important people
- B) Everyone should help
- C) Be tightly packed together
- A) Becoming part of a group
- A) Ask people to come together
- B) Moving as a group
- C) Gather enough courage
- B) They gather closely around it
- C) Standing or working very close together
Wrapping Up
Idioms about meetings show how people come together, work as a group, or support each other. These phrases help us talk about big events, teamwork, or even a simple get-together with friends. Many of these idioms come from real life, like sports, the army, or daily life. Learning them can help you understand what others mean and help you speak more naturally too. Now that you know these idioms, you can listen for them and even try using them yourself.
