March is a special month in the USA. It marks the end of winter and the start of spring. In many places, the snow begins to melt, flowers start to bloom, and people get excited about warmer days ahead. This change in weather also brings changes in mood and energy. People feel more active, and the outdoors becomes more fun. Because of these changes, March has inspired many fun and useful idioms in the English language.
These idioms help explain feelings, actions, and weather patterns that often come with March. You might hear sayings about wind, lions, lambs, and moving forward. These phrases make language more colorful and help us talk about things in a simple, clear way. In this article, we will explore 28 idioms about March that many people in America use. Each one comes with a short meaning and easy-to-understand examples.
Idioms About March
1. Mad as a March hare
Meaning: Very excited or acting a little wild
Example Sentence:
• Tommy was mad as a March hare when he saw the candy aisle.
• The kids were running around mad as March hares at recess.
Other ways to say: Very hyper, full of energy
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from how hares act silly during spring in March.
Usage: Used when someone acts silly or overly excited.
2. March to the beat of your own drum
Meaning: Do things your own way
Example Sentence:
• Emma wears mismatched socks because she marches to the beat of her own drum.
• Jake doesn’t follow trends. He marches to his own beat.
Other ways to say: Be original, do your own thing
Fun Fact/Origin: From parades where drummers set the walking pace.
Usage: Used to describe someone who is independent.
3. In like a lion, out like a lamb
Meaning: March starts rough and ends calm
Example Sentence:
• The snowstorm came early in March. Looks like it came in like a lion.
• Now it’s sunny and warm—March is going out like a lamb.
Other ways to say: Starts strong, ends soft
Fun Fact/Origin: An old saying about March weather.
Usage: Used when talking about changing weather.
4. March on
Meaning: Keep going even when things are hard
Example Sentence:
• Even when tired, the team marched on to finish the race.
• We just have to march on and finish our homework.
Other ways to say: Keep going, push forward
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from soldiers continuing to move ahead.
Usage: Used to encourage someone to not give up.
5. The Ides of March
Meaning: March 15th; a date tied to bad luck
Example Sentence:
• Some people worry on the Ides of March because of old stories.
• The test is on the Ides of March—hope that’s not bad luck!
Other ways to say: Beware the date, a warning
Fun Fact/Origin: Julius Caesar was warned about this date.
Usage: Used when talking about March 15th or something unlucky.
6. March comes in roaring
Meaning: Starts with loud or wild weather
Example Sentence:
• A thunderstorm hit on March 1st—March came in roaring.
• Wind shook the windows—March sure came in loud.
Other ways to say: Starts wild, begins with a bang
Fun Fact/Origin: Based on strong winds common early in March.
Usage: Used when early March weather is strong.
7. A spring in your step
Meaning: Feeling happy and full of energy
Example Sentence:
• She walked to school with a spring in her step.
• He had a spring in his step after getting good news.
Other ways to say: Feeling cheerful, walking happily
Fun Fact/Origin: Commonly used when spring starts.
Usage: Used when someone seems upbeat.
8. Blow in like a March wind
Meaning: Arrive suddenly and with energy
Example Sentence:
• Grandma blew in like a March wind with hugs and stories.
• The kids blew in like March wind after school.
Other ways to say: Burst in, rush in
Fun Fact/Origin: Inspired by March’s fast winds.
Usage: Used when someone enters quickly or loudly.
9. Come alive in March
Meaning: Start feeling more active when spring begins
Example Sentence:
• Flowers come alive in March after winter’s chill.
• I always come alive in March when the sun comes out.
Other ways to say: Feel fresh, get active
Fun Fact/Origin: Springtime energy returns in March.
Usage: Used to describe new energy or action.
10. March madness
Meaning: A time of fun chaos, especially about basketball
Example Sentence:
• Everyone talks about basketball during March Madness.
• Our house gets loud during March Madness games.
Other ways to say: Wild time, sports craze
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to college basketball in the USA.
Usage: Used during March for fun or busy times.
11. March weather
Meaning: Weather that changes quickly
Example Sentence:
• It was sunny, then snowy—typical March weather.
• You need a coat and shorts in March weather.
Other ways to say: Unpredictable skies, mix of sun and snow
Fun Fact/Origin: March is known for changing seasons.
Usage: Used when weather is all over the place.
12. March right in
Meaning: Enter boldly without waiting
Example Sentence:
• He marched right in and told the teacher his idea.
• She marched into the kitchen asking for a snack.
Other ways to say: Walk in confidently, jump in
Fun Fact/Origin: Often said about someone brave or bold.
Usage: Used when someone takes action fast.
13. Like a lamb
Meaning: Very gentle or calm
Example Sentence:
• She acted like a lamb during the dentist visit.
• The baby slept like a lamb all night.
Other ways to say: Calm, peaceful
Fun Fact/Origin: Lambs are baby sheep and very quiet.
Usage: Used when something is soft and peaceful.
14. Follow like sheep
Meaning: Go along with others without thinking
Example Sentence:
• He followed his friends like a sheep without asking why.
• The kids followed the leader like sheep.
Other ways to say: Copy others, go with the crowd
Fun Fact/Origin: Sheep usually stay in a group.
Usage: Used when people don’t think for themselves.
15. Winds of change
Meaning: A sign that something new is coming
Example Sentence:
• The warm air feels like the winds of change.
• March brings winds of change after a long winter.
Other ways to say: Big changes coming, something new
Fun Fact/Origin: March winds often signal spring’s arrival.
Usage: Used when things are starting to shift.
16. Lion-hearted
Meaning: Brave and strong
Example Sentence:
• She was lion-hearted during the fire drill.
• He showed lion-hearted courage when he spoke up.
Other ways to say: Brave, bold
Fun Fact/Origin: Lions are often seen as brave animals.
Usage: Used to praise someone’s bravery.
17. Spring forward
Meaning: Move ahead or make progress
Example Sentence:
• Let’s spring forward and finish the project early.
• We spring forward an hour during daylight savings.
Other ways to say: Move ahead, go forward
Fun Fact/Origin: Linked to time change in March in the USA.
Usage: Used for both time change and motivation.
18. A fresh breeze
Meaning: Something new and pleasant
Example Sentence:
• Her idea was a fresh breeze in the classroom.
• The new teacher is like a fresh breeze.
Other ways to say: Refreshing, something new
Fun Fact/Origin: Spring winds feel fresh and new.
Usage: Used when something feels good and new.
19. Spring cleaning
Meaning: Cleaning or starting fresh
Example Sentence:
• We did spring cleaning and threw out old clothes.
• Mom says it’s time for spring cleaning again.
Other ways to say: Tidy up, clean out
Fun Fact/Origin: A common tradition in March in the USA.
Usage: Used when people get organized after winter.
20. Shake off the winter blues
Meaning: Feel better after winter ends
Example Sentence:
• I feel happy now—time to shake off the winter blues.
• She danced in the sun to shake off the winter blues.
Other ways to say: Feel better, get happier
Fun Fact/Origin: Winter can make people feel tired or sad.
Usage: Used when people start to feel more upbeat.
21. Burst into bloom
Meaning: Grow or shine suddenly
Example Sentence:
• Flowers burst into bloom in March.
• She burst into bloom with confidence this spring.
Other ways to say: Grow, blossom
Fun Fact/Origin: Spring flowers bloom in March.
Usage: Used when someone or something grows fast.
22. Wind in your sails
Meaning: Having support or energy
Example Sentence:
• Her teacher’s praise put wind in her sails.
• The sunny day gave us wind in our sails.
Other ways to say: Feel powered up, feel encouraged
Fun Fact/Origin: From sailing—wind helps boats move.
Usage: Used when someone gets a boost.
23. March into action
Meaning: Start doing something right away
Example Sentence:
• The class marched into action when the bell rang.
• We marched into action to clean the park.
Other ways to say: Get started, jump into it
Fun Fact/Origin: Sounds like military drills.
Usage: Used when people start working quickly.
24. Spring has sprung
Meaning: Springtime has begun
Example Sentence:
• The flowers are blooming—spring has sprung.
• I saw birds building nests—spring has sprung.
Other ways to say: Spring is here, the season has changed
Fun Fact/Origin: A cheerful saying in early March
Usage: Used when signs of spring appear.
25. Turn over a new leaf
Meaning: Start fresh
Example Sentence:
• He turned over a new leaf by being nicer.
• March is a good time to turn over a new leaf.
Other ways to say: Make a fresh start, begin again
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to pages (leaves) in books.
Usage: Used when someone wants to improve.
26. Spring into action
Meaning: Start doing something quickly
Example Sentence:
• We sprang into action to catch the dog.
• The firefighters sprang into action fast.
Other ways to say: Act fast, get moving
Fun Fact/Origin: “Spring” means jump or move quickly.
Usage: Used when people act without delay.
27. Season of renewal
Meaning: A time to start fresh or grow
Example Sentence:
• March is a season of renewal for nature.
• She called spring her season of renewal.
Other ways to say: Time to refresh, time to grow
Fun Fact/Origin: Spring is when plants and animals grow again.
Usage: Used when describing spring’s new start.
28. March into spring
Meaning: Move happily into the spring season
Example Sentence:
• We marched into spring with a picnic.
• Let’s march into spring with new goals.
Other ways to say: Step into spring, enter springtime
Fun Fact/Origin: March is the first month of spring in the USA.
Usage: Used when welcoming the spring season.
Quiz: Idioms About March
Instructions: Choose the best answer that matches the meaning of each idiom. There is only one correct answer for each question.
Question Key
1. What does “mad as a March hare” mean?
A) Very sleepy
B) Acting silly or wild
C) Quiet and calm
2. If someone “marches to the beat of their own drum,” what are they doing?
A) Following the group
B) Doing things their own way
C) Playing music
3. What does “in like a lion, out like a lamb” mean about March?
A) The month is cold and stays that way
B) The month starts wild and ends calm
C) March is full of animals
4. When someone “marches right in,” what are they doing?
A) Entering slowly
B) Knocking before coming in
C) Entering boldly and without waiting
5. What does “March madness” usually mean in the USA?
A) Time to clean the house
B) A month of quiet fun
C) A wild time of basketball games
6. If someone has “a spring in their step,” how are they feeling?
A) Tired and bored
B) Happy and energetic
C) Lazy and slow
7. What does “spring cleaning” mean?
A) Cleaning during winter
B) Deep cleaning your home
C) Making messes on purpose
8. If someone is “lion-hearted,” what does it mean?
A) They are very scared
B) They are brave and strong
C) They like animals
9. When we “spring forward,” what are we doing?
A) Moving the clock ahead one hour
B) Taking a big jump
C) Getting ready for winter
10. What does “turn over a new leaf” mean?
A) Pick up leaves from the ground
B) Start fresh or try to do better
C) Rake the yard
Answer Key
- B) Acting silly or wild
- B) Doing things their own way
- B) The month starts wild and ends calm
- C) Entering boldly and without waiting
- C) A wild time of basketball games
- B) Happy and energetic
- B) Deep cleaning your home
- B) They are brave and strong
- A) Moving the clock ahead one hour
- B) Start fresh or try to do better
Wrapping Up
March is full of change and energy. In the USA, it brings new weather, fresh flowers, and new beginnings. The idioms we learned today show how people use language to describe this exciting time of year. Some idioms are fun, some are about weather, and others talk about starting fresh.
Now you can use these March idioms in everyday life. Whether it’s “March madness” at school or feeling “a spring in your step,” these sayings make talking more colorful and fun.
