People have gathered in groups for a long time. Friends meet to talk, families come together for meals, and teams join forces to work. Over time, people have created special phrases, or idioms, to describe these gatherings. These phrases make language more colorful and help people understand ideas better.
Idioms about gathering can describe different kinds of groups. Some show friendly meetings, while others talk about people coming together for a purpose. These idioms can be fun to learn and use. In this article, we will look at some common ones and see what they mean.
Idioms About Gathering
1. Join forces
Meaning: To work together for a shared goal.
Example Sentence:
- The students joined forces to clean the playground.
- The two companies joined forces to make a new video game.
Other ways to say: Work together, team up
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase comes from military language, where soldiers combined their strength in battle.
Usage: Used when people cooperate to achieve something.
2. Come together
Meaning: To unite as a group.
Example Sentence:
- The community came together to help after the storm.
- The team came together to win the championship.
Other ways to say: Gather, unite
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase became famous through the Beatles song Come Together.
Usage: Used when people unite for a cause or event.
3. Birds of a feather flock together
Meaning: People with similar interests stay together.
Example Sentence:
- The artists in town always hang out. Birds of a feather flock together.
- All the gamers in class sit at the same lunch table. Birds of a feather flock together.
Other ways to say: Like attracts like, similar people stick together
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase comes from the way birds of the same species group together.
Usage: Used to describe people who form groups based on common interests.
4. Rally around
Meaning: To support someone or something as a group.
Example Sentence:
- The team rallied around their injured player.
- The neighbors rallied around the family after the fire.
Other ways to say: Support, stand by
Fun Fact/Origin: “Rally” comes from an old French word meaning “to bring together.”
Usage: Used when people show support during hard 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 subway this morning.
- The concert was so full, we felt like sardines in a can.
Other ways to say: Cram in, squeeze in
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase comes from sardines being tightly packed in cans.
Usage: Used when a place is overcrowded.
6. Round up
Meaning: To gather people or things together.
Example Sentence:
- The teacher rounded up the students for a class picture.
- Dad rounded up the family for dinner.
Other ways to say: Gather, collect
Fun Fact/Origin: Cowboys used this phrase when gathering cattle.
Usage: Used when calling people or things together.
7. Pull together
Meaning: To work as a team.
Example Sentence:
- We need to pull together to finish the school project.
- The town pulled together to rebuild the park.
Other ways to say: Cooperate, work together
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from sailing, where pulling ropes together helped steer the ship.
Usage: Used when teamwork is needed.
8. Mob scene
Meaning: A place that is extremely crowded.
Example Sentence:
- The mall on Black Friday was a mob scene.
- The concert turned into a mob scene.
Other ways to say: Huge crowd, packed place
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the word “mob,” which means a large, noisy crowd.
Usage: Used when describing crowded places.
9. Gather steam
Meaning: To build energy or support over time.
Example Sentence:
- The fundraiser gathered steam as more people donated.
- The protest gathered steam after the news report.
Other ways to say: Gain momentum, pick up speed
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from steam engines, which gain power as steam builds up.
Usage: Used when something is gaining strength or popularity.
10. Clump together
Meaning: To form a close group.
Example Sentence:
- The kids clumped together on the playground.
- The tourists clumped together near the guide.
Other ways to say: Huddle, bunch up
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the word “clump,” which means a thick or close group.
Usage: Used when people or things gather closely.
11. Herd together
Meaning: To move as a group.
Example Sentence:
- The shoppers herded together when the doors opened.
- The students herded together into the auditorium.
Other ways to say: Crowd together, move in a group
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the way animals move in herds.
Usage: Used when people move in a large group.
12. Rub elbows with
Meaning: To mix with important or famous people.
Example Sentence:
- At the event, she rubbed elbows with celebrities.
- He rubbed elbows with top business leaders.
Other ways to say: Mingle with, meet important people
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from crowded events where people stand close together.
Usage: Used when someone meets important or well-known people.
13. Run with the crowd
Meaning: To follow what others are doing.
Example Sentence:
- He didn’t really like sports, but he ran with the crowd and joined the team.
- She started wearing trendy clothes to run with the crowd.
Other ways to say: Follow the group, go with the flow
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of people following a large group without thinking for themselves.
Usage: Used when someone follows others instead of making their own choices.
14. Mix and mingle
Meaning: To talk and interact in a social setting.
Example Sentence:
- At the wedding, guests mixed and mingled.
- The teacher told the students to mix and mingle at the party.
Other ways to say: Socialize, interact
Fun Fact/Origin: The word “mingle” means to blend or move around in a group.
Usage: Used when people are socializing at an event.
15. Band together
Meaning: To unite for a cause.
Example Sentence:
- The workers banded together to ask for better pay.
- The students banded together to clean up the schoolyard.
Other ways to say: Join forces, stick together
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of people forming a “band” or group to work toward something.
Usage: Used when people unite for a common goal.
16. Come in droves
Meaning: To arrive in large numbers.
Example Sentence:
- Fans came in droves to see the movie premiere.
- Shoppers came in droves for the holiday sale.
Other ways to say: Arrive in crowds, show up in large numbers
Fun Fact/Origin: “Droves” refers to herds of animals moving together.
Usage: Used when large groups of people gather at an event.
17. Circle the wagons
Meaning: To unite and protect against a common threat.
Example Sentence:
- The family circled the wagons when their business was in trouble.
- The team circled the wagons after losing their star player.
Other ways to say: Defend together, stand as one
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the Old West, where pioneers arranged their wagons in a circle for safety.
Usage: Used when a group comes together to protect itself.
18. Come out in full force
Meaning: To show up in large numbers for support.
Example Sentence:
- Fans came out in full force to cheer for the team.
- The community came out in full force to help after the flood.
Other ways to say: Show up strongly, gather in support
Fun Fact/Origin: “Full force” means using all available strength or numbers.
Usage: Used when people gather in large numbers to support something.
19. Pile in
Meaning: To enter a place in a hurried or crowded way.
Example Sentence:
- The kids piled into the car for the road trip.
- Fans piled into the stadium for the big game.
Other ways to say: Rush in, crowd in
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the image of people stacking up as they enter a space quickly.
Usage: Used when a group enters a place in a rushed or crowded way.
20. All hands on deck
Meaning: Everyone must help.
Example Sentence:
- It was all hands on deck to finish the school project.
- When the store was busy, it was all hands on deck.
Other ways to say: Everyone helps, teamwork needed
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from sailing, where all sailors were needed on deck in an emergency.
Usage: Used when everyone in a group must work together.
21. Form a line
Meaning: To gather in an orderly way.
Example Sentence:
- The students formed a line to enter the cafeteria.
- Shoppers formed a line outside the store before it opened.
Other ways to say: Line up, queue up
Fun Fact/Origin: The word “queue” is more common in British English for forming a line.
Usage: Used when people organize themselves in a line.
22. Close ranks
Meaning: To stick together in support.
Example Sentence:
- The team closed ranks after their coach was criticized.
- The family closed ranks during the difficult time.
Other ways to say: Stand together, support each other
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from military formations, where soldiers stood closer to protect each other.
Usage: Used when a group stands together to protect or support one another.
23. Muster up
Meaning: To gather strength, courage, or people.
Example Sentence:
- He mustered up the courage to speak in front of the class.
- The leader mustered up the workers for a meeting.
Other ways to say: Summon, gather
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from military language, where “muster” means to gather troops.
Usage: Used when someone gathers strength or brings people together.
24. Huddle up
Meaning: To gather closely, usually for discussion.
Example Sentence:
- The football team huddled up before the play.
- The family huddled up to plan their vacation.
Other ways to say: Gather, group up
Fun Fact/Origin: Common in sports, where players form a close circle to discuss strategy.
Usage: Used when a group gathers for a discussion or teamwork.
25. Go in droves
Meaning: To move somewhere in large numbers.
Example Sentence:
- People went in droves to see the new amusement park.
- Customers went in droves to buy the new phone.
Other ways to say: Show up in crowds, arrive in large groups
Fun Fact/Origin: “Droves” originally described large groups of livestock moving together.
Usage: Used when a large number of people go to a place.
26. Swarm around
Meaning: To gather closely around something or someone.
Example Sentence:
- Fans swarmed around the celebrity for autographs.
- Bees swarmed around the picnic table.
Other ways to say: Crowd around, gather tightly
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the movement of swarms of insects, especially bees.
Usage: Used when a group quickly surrounds something or someone.
27. Draw a crowd
Meaning: To attract many people.
Example Sentence:
- The magician’s tricks drew a crowd at the park.
- The new restaurant is drawing a crowd every night.
Other ways to say: Gather attention, bring people in
Fun Fact/Origin: The word “draw” means to pull, as in pulling people toward an event.
Usage: Used when someone or something attracts a large group.
28. Call a meeting
Meaning: To ask a group to come together for discussion.
Example Sentence:
- The teacher called a meeting to talk about the field trip.
- The coach called a meeting before the big game.
Other ways to say: Gather people, hold a discussion
Fun Fact/Origin: The word “meeting” comes from an old English word meaning “to come together.”
Usage: Used when someone organizes a group discussion.
29. Pack the house
Meaning: To fill a place with many people.
Example Sentence:
- The concert packed the house with excited fans.
- The school play packed the house on opening night.
Other ways to say: Fill up, bring in a large crowd
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from theater language, where a “packed house” means a full audience.
Usage: Used when an event attracts a full crowd.
30. Cram in
Meaning: To fit too many people or things into a space.
Example Sentence:
- We crammed into the elevator to get upstairs faster.
- The students crammed into the classroom before the bell rang.
Other ways to say: Squeeze in, stuff in
Fun Fact/Origin: The word “cram” originally meant pushing things into space forcefully.
Usage: Used when a place is overcrowded.
31. Flood in
Meaning: To arrive in large numbers at once.
Example Sentence:
- People flooded in when the store doors opened on Black Friday.
- Fans flooded into the stadium before the big game.
Other ways to say: Rush in, pour in
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the way water rushes in during a flood.
Usage: Used when people enter a place in large numbers.
32. Stick together
Meaning: To stay close as a group.
Example Sentence:
- The students stuck together on the field trip.
- Families need to stick together during tough times.
Other ways to say: Stay close, remain together
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of glue or sticky substances holding things together.
Usage: Used when a group stays united.
33. Heap up
Meaning: To pile up in a large group.
Example Sentence:
- The fallen leaves heaped up in the yard.
- Dirty dishes heaped up in the sink after dinner.
Other ways to say: Pile up, stack up
Fun Fact/Origin: “Heap” comes from an old word meaning “a great pile.”
Usage: Used when things gather into a large pile.
34. Jam-packed
Meaning: Completely full with no extra space.
Example Sentence:
- The theme park was jam-packed on the weekend.
- The bus was jam-packed during rush hour.
Other ways to say: Overcrowded, completely full
Fun Fact/Origin: “Jam” originally referred to squeezing things tightly together.
Usage: Used when a place is very crowded.
35. Line up
Meaning: To form a row or wait in order.
Example Sentence:
- The kids lined up for recess.
- People lined up to buy tickets for the movie.
Other ways to say: Queue up, get in order
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the basic idea of standing in a straight line.
Usage: Used when people or things arrange themselves in an orderly row.
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: The phrase “meet” comes from an old English word meaning “to come face to face.”
Usage: Used when friends or groups arrange to see each other.
37. Round the troops
Meaning: To gather people together for action.
Example Sentence:
- Mom rounded the troops to clean the house.
- The coach rounded the troops before the big game.
Other ways to say: Call together, assemble
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from military language, where “troops” refer to soldiers.
Usage: Used when calling people to take action.
38. Shoulder to shoulder
Meaning: Standing closely together.
Example Sentence:
- The fans stood shoulder to shoulder in the crowded stadium.
- We worked shoulder to shoulder to finish the project.
Other ways to say: Side by side, packed together
Fun Fact/Origin: The phrase comes from soldiers standing in a tight formation.
Usage: Used when people stand very close or work together closely.
39. Rope in
Meaning: To persuade someone to join.
Example Sentence:
- She roped me into helping with the school play.
- He roped his friends into playing basketball.
Other ways to say: Convince, bring in
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from cowboy culture, where a rope is used to catch animals.
Usage: Used when getting someone to join an activity.
40. Drift in
Meaning: To arrive slowly and casually.
Example Sentence:
- Guests drifted in throughout the evening.
- Students drifted into class just before the bell.
Other ways to say: Wander in, arrive slowly
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the way objects float and move slowly in water.
Usage: Used when people arrive at different times without hurry.
41. Come in waves
Meaning: To arrive in large groups at different times.
Example Sentence:
- Shoppers came in waves during the holiday sale.
- Fans came in waves before the concert started.
Other ways to say: Arrive in groups, come in bursts
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from ocean waves that roll in one after another.
Usage: Used when groups arrive in stages rather than all at once.
42. Pile on
Meaning: To add more to a group or situation.
Example Sentence:
- More students piled on when they heard about the free snacks.
- The reporters piled on with more questions.
Other ways to say: Add to, increase
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of stacking things on top of each other.
Usage: Used when more people or things are added to a situation.
43. Join the crowd
Meaning: To become part of a group or event.
Example Sentence:
- He decided to join the crowd at the concert.
- She joined the crowd in the lobby for the movie premiere.
Other ways to say: Blend in, be part of the group
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase comes from the idea of being one of many in a large group.
Usage: Used when someone joins a large group of people.
44. Gather around
Meaning: To come together in a close group.
Example Sentence:
- The teacher asked the students to gather around the reading corner.
- The family gathered around the table for dinner.
Other ways to say: Gather together, come close
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase is often used to call a group of people to a specific place.
Usage: Used when asking people to come close or form a group.
45. In the same boat
Meaning: To be in the same situation as others.
Example Sentence:
- We’re all in the same boat when it comes to studying for the test.
- After the game, the team was in the same boat—feeling proud of their effort.
Other ways to say: In the same situation, facing the same challenge
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea that if everyone is in the same boat, they must face the same challenges together.
Usage: Used when people share a common experience or challenge.
Quiz: Idioms About Gathering
1. What does “round up” mean?
A) To scatter things around.
B) To gather people together.
C) To organize things randomly.
2. If a group is “packing the house,” what does it mean?
A) The room is full of people.
B) People are leaving the house.
C) People are hiding inside.
3. When someone says, “We need to pull together,” what are they asking?
A) To relax and take a break.
B) To cooperate and work as a team.
C) To separate into smaller groups.
4. If people “flood into an event, what is happening?
A) People are slowly leaving.
B) A large number of people are arriving quickly.
C) The event is over, and people are going home.
5. What does “join the crowd” mean?
A) To join a group of people at an event.
B) To leave the group and go home.
C) To tell others to leave the group.
6. If you “stick together,” what does that mean?
A) You are staying close and helping each other.
B) You are going in different directions.
C) You are splitting up into smaller groups.
7. What is meant by “clump together”?
A) To run away from a group.
B) To gather in a small space or group.
C) To argue with others in a group.
8. When people “circle the wagons,” what are they doing?
A) Moving away from each other.
B) Working together to protect themselves.
C) Going to a different place.
9. If people are “coming in droves,” what is happening?
A) People are leaving in small numbers.
B) People are arriving in large groups.
C) People are getting lost in the crowd.
10. What does “huddle up” mean?
A) To break into different groups.
B) To gather together closely for a talk.
C) To go in separate directions.
Answers:
- B) To gather people together.
- A) The room is full of people.
- B) To cooperate and work as a team.
- B) A large number of people are arriving quickly.
- A) To join a group of people at an event.
- A) You are staying close and helping each other.
- B) To gather in a small space or group.
- B) Working together to protect themselves.
- B) People are arriving in large groups.
- B) To gather together closely for a talk.
Wrapping Up
In this article, we explored 45 idioms about gathering. These phrases help describe how people come together in different situations. From “round up” to “huddle up,” each idiom paints a picture of people joining forces or coming together for a common goal. Understanding these idioms can make it easier to talk about teamwork, events, and social gatherings.
Now that you know more about gathering idioms, try using them in your own conversations. The next time you’re at an event or working on a group project, you can share these fun phrases with your friends! Keep practicing, and soon, these idioms will feel like second nature.
