Mornings are the start of a new day. People have different ways of describing mornings using idioms. These special phrases help explain how mornings feel or what people do at the beginning of the day. For example, someone might say “rise and shine” to mean “wake up and get going.” These idioms make talking about mornings more fun and interesting.
In this article, we will look at many idioms about morning. Some show how people feel when they wake up. Others talk about things people do early in the day. By learning these idioms, you can understand and talk about mornings in a better way. Let’s explore some of the most common ones and see what they mean.
Idioms About Morning
1. Rise and shine
Meaning: Wake up and get ready for the day
Example Sentence:
• Mom said, “Rise and shine! It’s time for school!”
• We had to rise and shine early for our trip.
Other ways to say: Wake up, get going
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from military use to mean wake up and start the day brightly
Usage: Used to encourage someone to wake up happily
2. Bright and early
Meaning: Very early in the morning
Example Sentence:
• We left bright and early to beat traffic.
• Dad wakes up bright and early every day.
Other ways to say: At the crack of dawn, first thing in the morning
Fun Fact/Origin: Means someone is ready and cheerful early in the day
Usage: Used when someone starts their day early
3. The early bird catches the worm
Meaning: People who start early get the best chances
Example Sentence:
• She got the best deal because she came early. The early bird catches the worm!
• He studies before school. The early bird catches the worm.
Other ways to say: Be early, start ahead
Fun Fact/Origin: From birds finding food early in the day
Usage: Used to show that being early is a good idea
4. Crack of dawn
Meaning: Very early, when the sun rises
Example Sentence:
• We left at the crack of dawn to go fishing.
• She wakes up at the crack of dawn every day.
Other ways to say: First light, sunrise
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to the time when daylight just begins
Usage: Used to describe waking up or starting something very early
5. Up and at ’em
Meaning: Get out of bed and start doing things
Example Sentence:
• It’s time to be up and at ’em!
• Coach said, “Up and at ’em, team!”
Other ways to say: Get moving, time to go
Fun Fact/Origin: Short for “up and at them,” used in military to get soldiers going
Usage: Used to tell someone to start their day actively
6. Start off on the right foot
Meaning: Begin something in a good way
Example Sentence:
• I started off on the right foot by making my bed.
• Let’s start the morning on the right foot with a smile.
Other ways to say: Begin well, good start
Fun Fact/Origin: From marching, starting with the correct foot
Usage: Used to show a good beginning to a day or task
7. Not a morning person
Meaning: Someone who doesn’t like waking up early
Example Sentence:
• Don’t talk to him yet—he’s not a morning person.
• I’m not a morning person, so I need time to wake up.
Other ways to say: Grumpy in the morning, slow starter
Fun Fact/Origin: Commonly used to describe sleepy or quiet people in the morning
Usage: Used when someone has a hard time waking up
8. Morning has broken
Meaning: A new day has begun
Example Sentence:
• Morning has broken, and it’s a fresh start.
• I love the quiet when morning has broken.
Other ways to say: A new day begins, sunrise
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from an old hymn and poem
Usage: Used to describe the beauty of the start of day
9. Rise with the sun
Meaning: Wake up at sunrise
Example Sentence:
• Farmers often rise with the sun.
• On weekends, I like to rise with the sun and read.
Other ways to say: Wake up early, up at dawn
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to the sun’s rising and people starting their day with it
Usage: Used to talk about early risers
10. Greet the day
Meaning: Start your day with energy or joy
Example Sentence:
• She opened the window to greet the day.
• I like to greet the day with a big stretch.
Other ways to say: Welcome the morning, start the day
Fun Fact/Origin: A poetic way of saying hello to the new day
Usage: Used when someone begins the day in a happy way
11. Fresh as a daisy
Meaning: Feeling refreshed and full of energy
Example Sentence:
• After a good sleep, I felt fresh as a daisy.
• He was fresh as a daisy even after the long trip.
Other ways to say: Full of energy, wide awake
Fun Fact/Origin: Daisies open up fresh each morning
Usage: Used when someone feels great after waking up
12. Beat the sun up
Meaning: Wake up before sunrise
Example Sentence:
• I beat the sun up today to study.
• Grandma always beats the sun up.
Other ways to say: Wake up super early, rise before dawn
Fun Fact/Origin: Means waking up so early that it’s still dark
Usage: Used to show someone woke up very early
13. Sleepyhead
Meaning: A person who is still sleepy after waking up
Example Sentence:
• Wake up, sleepyhead!
• My brother is a real sleepyhead in the morning.
Other ways to say: Sleepy person, slow waker
Fun Fact/Origin: A cute name for someone who wants more sleep
Usage: Used in a fun way for someone who sleeps a lot
14. Get out of the wrong side of the bed
Meaning: Wake up in a bad mood
Example Sentence:
• He must’ve gotten out of the wrong side of the bed—he’s grumpy.
• Don’t talk to her yet, she got out of the wrong side of the bed.
Other ways to say: In a bad mood, cranky
Fun Fact/Origin: People used to think the left side of the bed was unlucky
Usage: Used when someone is grumpy for no reason
15. Dawn breaks
Meaning: The sun starts to rise
Example Sentence:
• We saw the stars fade as dawn broke.
• Dawn breaks early in summer.
Other ways to say: Morning begins, sunrise starts
Fun Fact/Origin: “Dawn” means the first light of the day
Usage: Used to describe the start of the morning
16. Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed
Meaning: Very awake and ready to go
Example Sentence:
• The kids were bright-eyed and bushy-tailed on their field trip day.
• I felt bright-eyed and bushy-tailed after breakfast.
Other ways to say: Energetic, full of pep
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to animals, like squirrels, who are active early
Usage: Used when someone is cheerful and alert in the morning
17. Start the day off right
Meaning: Begin the morning in a good way
Example Sentence:
• A healthy breakfast helps me start the day off right.
• I like to start the day off right by making my bed.
Other ways to say: Begin well, start strong
Fun Fact/Origin: Starting well often leads to a better day
Usage: Used when talking about morning habits
18. Up with the lark
Meaning: Wake up very early
Example Sentence:
• She’s always up with the lark.
• On school days, I’m up with the lark.
Other ways to say: Early riser, up at dawn
Fun Fact/Origin: Larks are birds that sing early in the morning
Usage: Used for someone who wakes up early
19. A new day dawns
Meaning: A new day begins
Example Sentence:
• A new day dawns, and anything can happen.
• With the new day dawning, we packed up for our trip.
Other ways to say: A fresh start, a new beginning
Fun Fact/Origin: “Dawns” means starts in this idiom
Usage: Used to talk about new chances each day
20. First light
Meaning: The earliest time you can see sunlight
Example Sentence:
• We set out at first light.
• The deer came out at first light.
Other ways to say: Dawn, daybreak
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to the moment just before sunrise
Usage: Used when something happens right as the day begins
21. Start the day on a high note
Meaning: Begin the day in a happy or successful way
Example Sentence:
• I started the day on a high note by acing my quiz.
• A smile can help start the day on a high note.
Other ways to say: Start happy, begin with success
Fun Fact/Origin: “High note” comes from music and means something good
Usage: Used when the morning begins well
22. Shake off the sleep
Meaning: Wake up and feel more alert
Example Sentence:
• I splashed water on my face to shake off the sleep.
• A morning walk helps me shake off the sleep.
Other ways to say: Wake up fully, feel refreshed
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to getting over grogginess after waking up
Usage: Used when someone is trying to feel more awake
23. Up before the rooster crows
Meaning: Wake up very early
Example Sentence:
• Dad is always up before the rooster crows.
• We were up before the rooster crows for our trip.
Other ways to say: Super early, before dawn
Fun Fact/Origin: Roosters crow early in the morning
Usage: Used to show someone wakes very early
24. Morning glory
Meaning: Someone who is cheerful in the morning
Example Sentence:
• She’s a real morning glory—so happy and bright!
• I’m no morning glory until I have breakfast.
Other ways to say: Morning person, cheerful early bird
Fun Fact/Origin: Named after the flower that blooms in the morning
Usage: Used to describe a cheerful morning person
25. Face the day
Meaning: Get ready to deal with whatever the day brings
Example Sentence:
• After coffee, I’m ready to face the day.
• Let’s face the day with a smile!
Other ways to say: Take on the day, get going
Fun Fact/Origin: “Face” means to meet something head-on
Usage: Used when starting the day with purpose
26. Wake up on the right side of the bed
Meaning: Wake up in a good mood
Example Sentence:
• She woke up on the right side of the bed and was all smiles.
• He must’ve woken up on the right side of the bed today!
Other ways to say: In a good mood, cheerful
Fun Fact/Origin: Opposite of “wrong side of the bed”
Usage: Used when someone is happy in the morning
27. First thing in the morning
Meaning: Right after waking up
Example Sentence:
• I brush my teeth first thing in the morning.
• She checks the weather first thing in the morning.
Other ways to say: Right away, as soon as I wake
Fun Fact/Origin: Means something that happens before anything else
Usage: Used when saying what is done early in the day
28. Greet the sunrise
Meaning: Wake up and enjoy the early morning
Example Sentence:
• We went hiking to greet the sunrise.
• Grandma likes to sit on the porch and greet the sunrise.
Other ways to say: Watch the sunrise, enjoy morning light
Fun Fact/Origin: Sunrise means a fresh start and beauty
Usage: Used when someone enjoys early morning views
29. Up with the chickens
Meaning: Wake up as early as farm animals
Example Sentence:
• Grandpa is up with the chickens every day.
• We had to be up with the chickens for our farm trip.
Other ways to say: Very early riser, early to wake
Fun Fact/Origin: Chickens wake up with daylight
Usage: Used to talk about waking up very early
30. A fresh start
Meaning: A new beginning, often in the morning
Example Sentence:
• Every morning is a fresh start.
• She used the morning for a fresh start after a hard day.
Other ways to say: New beginning, start over
Fun Fact/Origin: Morning is seen as a chance to reset
Usage: Used when starting something new or good in the morning
31. Open your eyes to the day
Meaning: Wake up and become alert
Example Sentence:
• Time to open your eyes to the day, sleepyhead!
• I opened my eyes to the day with the sun shining in.
Other ways to say: Wake up, get started
Fun Fact/Origin: Literal and figurative way to say “wake up”
Usage: Used when someone is starting to become aware in the morning
32. Let the day begin
Meaning: Be ready to start the day
Example Sentence:
• I finished breakfast and said, “Let the day begin!”
• He zipped up his coat and said, “Let the day begin!”
Other ways to say: Time to start, here we go
Fun Fact/Origin: Often said to kick off a day’s events
Usage: Used to show readiness
33. The morning rush
Meaning: The busy time before school or work
Example Sentence:
• Our house is crazy during the morning rush.
• I forgot my book in the morning rush.
Other ways to say: Busy morning, rush hour
Fun Fact/Origin: Describes the busy time when everyone gets ready
Usage: Used to describe hectic early hours
34. Catch the morning breeze
Meaning: Enjoy the fresh, cool air of early morning
Example Sentence:
• We walked outside to catch the morning breeze.
• The dog loves to catch the morning breeze.
Other ways to say: Enjoy the air, breathe fresh morning air
Fun Fact/Origin: Mornings are often calm and cool
Usage: Used when enjoying the early air
35. A yawn and a stretch
Meaning: Common things people do right after waking up
Example Sentence:
• I woke up with a big yawn and a stretch.
• She gave a yawn and a stretch before getting out of bed.
Other ways to say: Wake up slowly, morning routine
Fun Fact/Origin: Yawning and stretching are natural body actions after sleep
Usage: Used to show someone just woke up
Quiz: Idioms About Morning
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 “rise and shine” mean?
A) Go back to sleep
B) Wake up and get ready
C) Watch TV quietly
2. If someone wakes up “bright and early,” what are they doing?
A) Sleeping late
B) Waking up early
C) Skipping breakfast
3. What does “the early bird catches the worm” suggest?
A) Birds are smart
B) Waking up early helps you succeed
C) Worms are only out at night
4. If you woke up at “the crack of dawn,” when did you get up?
A) At noon
B) At midnight
C) Very early in the morning
5. What does “not a morning person” mean?
A) Likes the morning
B) Doesn’t like to wake up early
C) Sleeps outside
6. If someone “gets out of the wrong side of the bed,” how are they feeling?
A) Happy and kind
B) Excited to go
C) Grumpy and upset
7. What does “fresh as a daisy” mean?
A) Still very tired
B) Clean like a flower
C) Feeling awake and full of energy
8. What does “up before the rooster crows” mean?
A) Woke up very early
B) Slept all day
C) Fed the rooster
9. If someone “starts the day off right,” what are they doing?
A) Making bad choices
B) Beginning the day in a good way
C) Staying in bed
10. What does it mean to “face the day”?
A) Avoid going outside
B) Get ready to deal with the day
C) Watch TV all morning
11. If someone is “bright-eyed and bushy-tailed,” how are they acting?
A) Very sleepy
B) Excited and ready to go
C) Crying
12. What does “up with the lark” mean?
A) Waking up late
B) Sleeping in the barn
C) Waking up very early
13. What does “a yawn and a stretch” usually show?
A) Someone just woke up
B) Someone is running
C) Someone is doing homework
Answer Key
- B) Wake up and get ready
- B) Waking up early
- B) Waking up early helps you succeed
- C) Very early in the morning
- B) Doesn’t like to wake up early
- C) Grumpy and upset
- C) Feeling awake and full of energy
- A) Woke up very early
- B) Beginning the day in a good way
- B) Get ready to deal with the day
- B) Excited and ready to go
- C) Waking up very early
- A) Someone just woke up
Wrapping Up
Morning idioms help us talk about how the day begins. Some show how people feel when they wake up. Others explain habits and routines. Learning these phrases makes talking more fun and colorful.
Next time you hear someone say “rise and shine” or “up with the lark,” you’ll know just what they mean. Try using some morning idioms in your own day to sound more natural and clear.
