When people in the USA gather for events, work, or fun, they often use special sayings to describe these times. These sayings are called idioms. Idioms help make language more fun and easy to understand. They can tell us about working as a team, joining a group, or just being together in one place.
In this article, we’ll look at idioms that are all about coming together. Some show teamwork, while others talk about big crowds or close groups. These idioms are common in American speech, and they help paint a picture of what it’s like when people meet. Let’s explore some of these idioms and learn how they’re used in everyday life across the United States.
Idioms for Assembly
1. Join forces
Meaning: To work together for the same goal
Example Sentence:
– The kids joined forces to clean up the park.
– Two stores joined forces to hold a big sale.
Other ways to say: Work together, team up
Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from the military, where groups of soldiers would join to fight together.
Usage: Often used when people or groups decide to help each other.
2. Come together
Meaning: To unite as one group
Example Sentence:
– The town came together to fix the broken bridge.
– The classmates came together for a group photo.
Other ways to say: Unite, gather
Fun Fact/Origin: Made more popular by the Beatles’ song “Come Together.”
Usage: Common when people join for a reason or event.
3. Birds of a feather flock together
Meaning: People with similar interests stick together
Example Sentence:
– All the skaters hang out together—birds of a feather flock together.
– The chess club kids always sit together at lunch.
Other ways to say: Like attracts like, similar people stay close
Fun Fact/Origin: Inspired by how birds of the same kind fly together.
Usage: Used when people form groups based on what they like.
4. Rally around
Meaning: To support someone as a group
Example Sentence:
– The school rallied around the student who lost his pet.
– Neighbors rallied around a family after a fire.
Other ways to say: Stand by, support
Fun Fact/Origin: “Rally” comes from a French word that means to bring together.
Usage: Used when people show care or help during hard times.
5. Pack in like sardines
Meaning: To be very crowded in a space
Example Sentence:
– We were packed in like sardines on the school bus.
– The gym was packed in like sardines during the pep rally.
Other ways to say: Cram in, squeeze in
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from sardines being packed tightly in cans.
Usage: Used when there’s no room to move.
6. Round up
Meaning: To gather people or things
Example Sentence:
– The teacher rounded up the kids for story time.
– Dad rounded up the family to leave the park.
Other ways to say: Gather, collect
Fun Fact/Origin: Cowboys used it when gathering cattle.
Usage: Used when organizing a group.
7. Pull together
Meaning: To help each other and work as a team
Example Sentence:
– We all pulled together to clean the classroom.
– The town pulled together after the storm.
Other ways to say: Cooperate, help out
Fun Fact/Origin: From sailing—everyone pulls ropes together to steer a ship.
Usage: When teamwork is needed.
8. Mob scene
Meaning: A place that’s very crowded and noisy
Example Sentence:
– The store was a mob scene on Black Friday.
– The fair turned into a mob scene fast.
Other ways to say: Packed place, huge crowd
Fun Fact/Origin: “Mob” means a large, wild crowd.
Usage: Often used to describe events with too many people.
9. Gather steam
Meaning: To grow stronger or get more support
Example Sentence:
– The fundraiser gathered steam with every donation.
– Their project gathered steam as more students joined.
Other ways to say: Pick up speed, gain support
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from steam engines getting stronger with more steam.
Usage: Used when something builds up slowly.
10. Clump together
Meaning: To gather closely in a group
Example Sentence:
– The kids clumped together to stay warm.
– The birds clumped together on the wire.
Other ways to say: Huddle, group up
Fun Fact/Origin: “Clump” means a bunch or tight group.
Usage: Used when people or things are very close together.
11. Herd together
Meaning: To move or gather as a group
Example Sentence:
– The students herded together into the gym.
– The shoppers herded together at the store’s entrance.
Other ways to say: Crowd together, group up
Fun Fact/Origin: From how animals move in herds.
Usage: Used when people move as one big group.
12. Rub elbows with
Meaning: To meet or be around important people
Example Sentence:
– She rubbed elbows with famous authors at the book fair.
– He rubbed elbows with athletes at the sports banquet.
Other ways to say: Mingle with, meet
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from crowded parties where people stand close.
Usage: Used when meeting popular or well-known people.
13. Run with the crowd
Meaning: To follow what others are doing
Example Sentence:
– He joined a drama club just to run with the crowd.
– She started wearing what her friends wore to run with the crowd.
Other ways to say: Go with the flow, follow the group
Fun Fact/Origin: Based on people going along with others without thinking much.
Usage: Used when someone follows instead of leading.
14. Mix and mingle
Meaning: To talk and interact in a group
Example Sentence:
– The kids mixed and mingled at the school party.
– Parents mixed and mingled at the open house.
Other ways to say: Chat, socialize
Fun Fact/Origin: “Mingle” means to blend or move around.
Usage: Often used at social events.
15. Band together
Meaning: To unite to do something
Example Sentence:
– The class banded together to clean the playground.
– Neighbors banded together to help clean up the street.
Other ways to say: Unite, come together
Fun Fact/Origin: From forming a “band” or group to get something done.
Usage: When people join for a cause.
16. Come in droves
Meaning: To arrive in big numbers
Example Sentence:
– Fans came in droves to the football game.
– People came in droves to see the fireworks.
Other ways to say: Show up in crowds, large turnout
Fun Fact/Origin: “Droves” means large groups of animals or people.
Usage: Describes large groups arriving.
17. Circle the wagons
Meaning: To unite and protect each other
Example Sentence:
– The team circled the wagons after losing their star player.
– The family circled the wagons during tough times.
Other ways to say: Stand together, protect the group
Fun Fact/Origin: From the Old West when wagons were circled for safety.
Usage: Used when people protect each other as a team.
18. Come out in full force
Meaning: To show up in large numbers
Example Sentence:
– Fans came out in full force for the game.
– The town came out in full force to support the parade.
Other ways to say: Turn out big, show strong support
Fun Fact/Origin: “Full force” means all available people or strength.
Usage: When many people show up for something.
19. Pile in
Meaning: To rush into a space quickly
Example Sentence:
– The kids piled into the van after school.
– Fans piled into the movie theater for the premiere.
Other ways to say: Crowd in, rush in
Fun Fact/Origin: From the image of people stacking up as they enter quickly.
Usage: Used when people go into a space fast.
20. All hands on deck
Meaning: Everyone needs to help
Example Sentence:
– It was all hands on deck to get ready for the class party.
– When the storm hit, it was all hands on deck in the neighborhood.
Other ways to say: Everyone pitch in, full teamwork
Fun Fact/Origin: From sailing, when every sailor was needed on deck.
Usage: Used when everyone’s help is needed.
21. Form a line
Meaning: To stand in an organized row
Example Sentence:
– The students formed a line to get lunch.
– People formed a line to enter the concert.
Other ways to say: Line up, get in order
Fun Fact/Origin: “Line” means to stand in order. “Queue” is used more in the UK.
Usage: Used when people wait their turn.
22. Close ranks
Meaning: To stay united and support each other
Example Sentence:
– The team closed ranks after the tough loss.
– The family closed ranks during hard times.
Other ways to say: Stand together, support one another
Fun Fact/Origin: From soldiers standing close to protect each other.
Usage: When a group stays strong together.
23. Muster up
Meaning: To gather people, courage, or strength
Example Sentence:
– She mustered up the courage to speak in class.
– The leader mustered up the team for a talk.
Other ways to say: Gather, summon
Fun Fact/Origin: “Muster” comes from military use, gathering soldiers.
Usage: Used when building up courage or gathering people.
24. Huddle up
Meaning: To gather closely to talk
Example Sentence:
– The football team huddled up before the play.
– We huddled up to plan our class skit.
Other ways to say: Group up, gather in
Fun Fact/Origin: Used in sports before calling plays.
Usage: Used when discussing something in a close group.
25. Go in droves
Meaning: To go somewhere in large numbers
Example Sentence:
– People went in droves to the fall festival.
– Families went in droves to the pumpkin patch.
Other ways to say: Arrive in groups, show up together
Fun Fact/Origin: “Droves” originally meant large animal herds.
Usage: When many people go to the same place.
26. Swarm around
Meaning: To gather around quickly and closely
Example Sentence:
– Kids swarmed around the ice cream truck.
– Fans swarmed around the player for autographs.
Other ways to say: Crowd around, rush in
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from how bees gather quickly in swarms.
Usage: Used when people gather tightly and fast.
27. Draw a crowd
Meaning: To attract many people
Example Sentence:
– The magician drew a crowd at the park.
– The new restaurant is drawing big crowds.
Other ways to say: Bring people in, get attention
Fun Fact/Origin: “Draw” means to pull in, like pulling people to a show.
Usage: Used when something is interesting or exciting.
28. Call a meeting
Meaning: To ask a group to gather and talk
Example Sentence:
– The coach called a meeting before the big game.
– The teacher called a meeting about the class trip.
Other ways to say: Hold a meeting, gather people
Fun Fact/Origin: The word “meeting” means “to come together.”
Usage: When someone brings people together to talk.
29. Pack the house
Meaning: To fill a place with people
Example Sentence:
– The school play packed the house.
– The concert packed the house with fans.
Other ways to say: Fill up, full crowd
Fun Fact/Origin: From theater shows with every seat filled.
Usage: When many people come to watch something.
30. Cram in
Meaning: To put too many people or things into a space
Example Sentence:
– We crammed into the car for the trip.
– Students crammed into the small classroom.
Other ways to say: Squeeze in, stuff in
Fun Fact/Origin: “Cram” means to forcefully stuff something.
Usage: Used when a place is very full.
31. Flood in
Meaning: To come in quickly and in large numbers
Example Sentence:
– Fans flooded into the stadium.
– People flooded in as soon as the store opened.
Other ways to say: Pour in, rush in
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from water rushing in like a flood.
Usage: Used when many people arrive at once.
32. Stick together
Meaning: To stay close and support each other
Example Sentence:
– The friends stuck together on the field trip.
– Families need to stick together in hard times.
Other ways to say: Stay close, stay united
Fun Fact/Origin: Like glue holding things close.
Usage: When people support one another.
33. Heap up
Meaning: To pile or gather things in a big group
Example Sentence:
– Leaves heaped up in the backyard.
– Laundry heaped up after the weekend.
Other ways to say: Pile up, stack
Fun Fact/Origin: “Heap” comes from an old word for a large pile.
Usage: Used when something collects in a large group.
Quiz: Idioms for Assembly
Instructions: Choose the best meaning for each idiom. Each question has one correct answer.
Question Key
1. What does “pack in like sardines” mean?
A) Everyone is relaxing in a big space
B) People are stuffed tightly into a space
C) People are dancing freely
2. If people “rally around” someone, what are they doing?
A) Ignoring them
B) Teasing them
C) Supporting them together
3. What does it mean to “pull together”?
A) Work as a team
B) Go your own way
C) Run a race
4. If you “rub elbows with” someone famous, what does that mean?
A) You play sports with them
B) You get close and meet them
C) You fight them
5. What happens when a group “comes in droves”?
A) They come in small numbers
B) They come in large groups
C) They leave quietly
6. If a group is “shoulder to shoulder,” what does it mean?
A) Standing far apart
B) Standing closely together
C) Arguing with each other
7. What does “round up” mean in a group setting?
A) To make everyone leave
B) To gather people or things
C) To break into small groups
8. What does “circle the wagons” mean?
A) Go shopping
B) Protect and support each other
C) Start a party
9. What does “muster up” mean?
A) To give up
B) To gather courage or people
C) To stay quiet
10. If someone “runs with the crowd,” what are they doing?
A) Making their own path
B) Following what everyone else does
C) Hiding from the group
11. What does “draw a crowd” mean?
A) To take attendance
B) To attract many people
C) To chase people away
12. If someone says “it’s all hands on deck,” what do they mean?
A) Everyone should help
B) Everyone should relax
C) Only the leader should work
Answer Key
- B – People are stuffed tightly into a space
- C – Supporting them together
- A – Work as a team
- B – You get close and meet them
- B – They come in large groups
- B – Standing closely together
- B – To gather people or things
- B – Protect and support each other
- B – To gather courage or people
- B – Following what everyone else does
- B – To attract many people
- A – Everyone should help
Wrapping Up
Idioms about assembly are used often in the USA, from school settings to community events. These expressions help describe how people come together, whether for fun, work, or support. Learning these phrases can make it easier to understand what others are saying and help you express your own ideas clearly.
From “join forces” to “pack the house,” these idioms give color to everyday language. Now that you’ve seen 33 of them, try listening for them in conversations, shows, or books. You’ll notice how often Americans use these phrases in real life.
