Summer is a season many people look forward to. It brings warm weather, longer days, and time for fun. Kids are out of school, and families often go on trips. People enjoy going to the beach, eating ice cream, and playing outside. Because summer is so special, people have created sayings, or idioms, to talk about it.
Idioms about summer help us describe our feelings, the weather, and the things we do. These phrases use colorful language to make talking about summer more interesting. In this article, we will learn some fun idioms that people use during this sunny season. You’ll also see what they mean and how you can use them in real life.
Idioms About Summer
1. Dog Days of Summer
Meaning: The hottest part of summer.
Example Sentence:
• We stayed inside during the dog days of summer.
• The dog days of summer make me want cold lemonade.
Other ways to say: hottest days, peak heat
Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from ancient times when people noticed that the Dog Star, Sirius, appeared in the sky during the hottest days.
Usage: When talking about very hot summer days.
2. Catch Some Rays
Meaning: To sit or lie in the sun.
Example Sentence:
• Let’s go catch some rays at the beach.
• He caught some rays in the backyard.
Other ways to say: sunbathe, soak up the sun
Fun Fact/Origin: This means enjoying the sunshine, especially in warm weather.
Usage: When someone is relaxing in the sun.
3. Cool as a Cucumber
Meaning: To be very calm.
Example Sentence:
• She was cool as a cucumber before the test.
• He stayed cool as a cucumber at the doctor’s office.
Other ways to say: calm, chill
Fun Fact/Origin: Cucumbers stay cool inside, even on hot days.
Usage: When someone stays calm in tough moments.
4. Make Hay While the Sun Shines
Meaning: Do something while you have the chance.
Example Sentence:
• Let’s make hay while the sun shines and play outside.
• We made hay while the sun shined and picked berries.
Other ways to say: don’t waste time, take the chance
Fun Fact/Origin: Farmers made hay during sunny days because wet hay would spoil.
Usage: When someone uses a good moment to do something.
5. In the Heat of the Moment
Meaning: Doing something quickly without thinking because of strong feelings.
Example Sentence:
• He shouted in the heat of the moment.
• She quit the game in the heat of the moment.
Other ways to say: without thinking, acting fast
Fun Fact/Origin: This means strong emotions feel like heat.
Usage: When someone reacts fast because they are upset or excited.
6. Soak Up the Sun
Meaning: To enjoy being outside in the sunshine.
Example Sentence:
• She soaked up the sun by the pool.
• We soaked up the sun during our hike.
Other ways to say: enjoy the sun, sunbathe
Fun Fact/Origin: It compares people to sponges soaking water—except with sunlight.
Usage: Used when relaxing in sunny weather.
7. Hot Under the Collar
Meaning: Feeling angry or upset.
Example Sentence:
• He got hot under the collar when he lost the game.
• She was hot under the collar after the argument.
Other ways to say: mad, irritated
Fun Fact/Origin: When people are angry, they sometimes feel hot.
Usage: Used when someone is very mad.
8. Beat the Heat
Meaning: To stay cool during hot weather.
Example Sentence:
• We went to the pool to beat the heat.
• Fans and cold drinks helped beat the heat.
Other ways to say: stay cool, escape the heat
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase means trying to win against hot weather.
Usage: Talking about staying cool in summer.
9. Like a Frying Pan Outside
Meaning: It’s very hot outdoors.
Example Sentence:
• It feels like a frying pan outside today.
• The sun made the sidewalk feel like a frying pan.
Other ways to say: boiling hot, scorching
Fun Fact/Origin: Frying pans get very hot—just like pavement in summer.
Usage: Used to describe extreme heat.
10. A Ray of Sunshine
Meaning: Someone or something that makes people feel happy.
Example Sentence:
• Her smile was a ray of sunshine.
• The puppy was a ray of sunshine on a sad day.
Other ways to say: cheerful, bright
Fun Fact/Origin: Sunlight makes people feel warm and happy.
Usage: Used when someone brings joy.
11. Sun-Kissed
Meaning: Lightly tanned from being in the sun.
Example Sentence:
• After vacation, his skin was sun-kissed.
• Her cheeks were sun-kissed after a day at the beach.
Other ways to say: lightly tanned, touched by sun
Fun Fact/Origin: It means the sun gave you a soft tan, like a gentle kiss.
Usage: Describing someone who has been outside in summer.
12. Full of Hot Air
Meaning: Someone who talks too much without saying much.
Example Sentence:
• He’s full of hot air—don’t take him seriously.
• That speech was full of hot air.
Other ways to say: bragging, not serious
Fun Fact/Origin: Hot air rises and disappears, like silly talk.
Usage: Used when someone talks a lot but says little.
13. Under the Sun
Meaning: Everything possible.
Example Sentence:
• We did everything under the sun on our trip.
• She asked every question under the sun.
Other ways to say: everything you can think of
Fun Fact/Origin: It means all things that exist during the day—under the sun.
Usage: When someone tries or sees many things.
14. Chasing the Sun
Meaning: Trying to follow warm weather.
Example Sentence:
• They traveled west, chasing the sun.
• We kept moving to keep chasing the sun.
Other ways to say: follow summer, stay in the sun
Fun Fact/Origin: People like warm places, so they move to stay in the sun.
Usage: Talking about people who love summer travel.
15. Hot Ticket
Meaning: Something very popular.
Example Sentence:
• The water park was the hot ticket this summer.
• That new game was the hot ticket at camp.
Other ways to say: popular, in demand
Fun Fact/Origin: Tickets to popular events “heat up” fast.
Usage: Describes something everyone wants.
16. Melt Like Ice Cream
Meaning: To get very hot and tired.
Example Sentence:
• We were melting like ice cream at the carnival.
• I melt like ice cream without shade.
Other ways to say: overheat, too hot
Fun Fact/Origin: Ice cream melts fast in summer, just like people feel tired in heat.
Usage: Used when someone is too hot.
17. Summer Fling
Meaning: A short summer romance.
Example Sentence:
• They had a summer fling at camp.
• It was just a summer fling, nothing serious.
Other ways to say: short crush, brief romance
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase means a fun and light summer relationship.
Usage: Talking about a short love story in summer.
18. Firecracker Personality
Meaning: Someone who is fun and full of energy.
Example Sentence:
• She has a firecracker personality—always loud and fun.
• He’s a firecracker at every party.
Other ways to say: lively, energetic
Fun Fact/Origin: Firecrackers are loud and exciting—like some people.
Usage: Describes someone exciting, often during summer fun.
19. Feel the Burn
Meaning: To feel sunburned or sore.
Example Sentence:
• I forgot sunscreen and now I feel the burn.
• After the run, I could really feel the burn.
Other ways to say: burn from sun, sore
Fun Fact/Origin: Feeling the burn can mean from sun or from working hard.
Usage: Talk about being sunburned or tired from activity.
20. Turn Up the Heat
Meaning: Make something more intense.
Example Sentence:
• The game turned up the heat in the last quarter.
• She turned up the heat to finish her project on time.
Other ways to say: make things harder, raise the pressure
Fun Fact/Origin: Heat rises when you work harder or compete.
Usage: When a situation becomes more serious or exciting.
21. Like a Day at the Beach
Meaning: Something easy and fun.
Example Sentence:
• The test was like a day at the beach—super easy!
• Compared to last year, this summer camp is like a day at the beach.
Other ways to say: easy, relaxing
Fun Fact/Origin: Beach days are usually simple and fun, so this compares things to that.
Usage: Used when something is simple and pleasant.
22. Sweating Buckets
Meaning: Sweating a lot.
Example Sentence:
• I was sweating buckets during soccer practice.
• He sweated buckets mowing the lawn in the sun.
Other ways to say: dripping sweat, very sweaty
Fun Fact/Origin: This funny phrase shows how much people sweat when it’s hot.
Usage: Talking about sweating in summer heat.
23. Burning Up
Meaning: Feeling very hot.
Example Sentence:
• I’m burning up—let’s find some shade.
• She was burning up after running laps.
Other ways to say: really hot, overheated
Fun Fact/Origin: Compares your body to fire when you’re too warm.
Usage: Used to show someone is too hot.
24. Sun-Drenched
Meaning: Covered in sunlight.
Example Sentence:
• The backyard was sun-drenched all afternoon.
• We had lunch in a sun-drenched park.
Other ways to say: bright, sunny
Fun Fact/Origin: “Drenched” usually means soaked, but here it means filled with sun.
Usage: Used when a place is full of bright sunshine.
25. Heat Wave
Meaning: A long time of very hot weather.
Example Sentence:
• The heat wave lasted all week.
• Everyone went swimming during the heat wave.
Other ways to say: long hot stretch, high temps
Fun Fact/Origin: A heat wave is a real weather term, often in summer.
Usage: Talking about a period of very hot days.
26. Like a Sauna
Meaning: Very hot and steamy.
Example Sentence:
• The gym felt like a sauna.
• After cooking, the kitchen was like a sauna.
Other ways to say: steamy, really hot
Fun Fact/Origin: A sauna is a hot room used to sweat, like how rooms can feel in summer.
Usage: When a place feels too hot and moist.
27. Laze Around
Meaning: To relax and do nothing.
Example Sentence:
• We lazed around by the pool.
• They lazed around the house all day.
Other ways to say: lounge, chill
Fun Fact/Origin: “Laze” means to be lazy in a relaxed way.
Usage: When someone is enjoying rest, especially in summer.
28. Like Walking on the Sun
Meaning: Something extremely hot.
Example Sentence:
• The sand felt like walking on the sun.
• My car’s seat was like walking on the sun.
Other ways to say: very hot, boiling
Fun Fact/Origin: The sun is the hottest thing we know, so this compares things to it.
Usage: Used for extreme heat in summer.
29. Summer Breeze
Meaning: A soft and pleasant wind.
Example Sentence:
• The summer breeze felt nice after a hot day.
• We opened the windows to let in the summer breeze.
Other ways to say: gentle wind, warm air
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase often appears in songs and poems.
Usage: Used when a light wind feels good on a warm day.
30. Blazing Sun
Meaning: A sun that shines very strongly.
Example Sentence:
• We hiked under the blazing sun.
• The blazing sun made the sidewalk super hot.
Other ways to say: burning sun, strong sunlight
Fun Fact/Origin: “Blazing” means burning, like a fire.
Usage: Used when the sun feels extremely strong.
31. Hot as an Oven
Meaning: Very hot temperature.
Example Sentence:
• The car was hot as an oven inside.
• My room is hot as an oven when the fan breaks.
Other ways to say: burning up, boiling
Fun Fact/Origin: Ovens are very hot, just like some summer places.
Usage: Talking about a very hot area.
32. As Bright as the Sun
Meaning: Very shiny or cheerful.
Example Sentence:
• Her smile was as bright as the sun.
• The playground was as bright as the sun at noon.
Other ways to say: shiny, full of light
Fun Fact/Origin: The sun is the brightest thing we see.
Usage: Used to describe happy or glowing things.
33. Sun’s Out, Fun’s Out
Meaning: When it’s sunny, it’s time to have fun.
Example Sentence:
• Sun’s out, fun’s out—we’re heading to the beach!
• The kids ran outside yelling, “Sun’s out, fun’s out!”
Other ways to say: sunny day = playtime
Fun Fact/Origin: A fun rhyme people say on sunny days.
Usage: When enjoying the sunshine.
34. Heat Rises
Meaning: Things get more intense over time.
Example Sentence:
• The heat rose in the gym as more people showed up.
• Tension and heat rise during games.
Other ways to say: getting warmer, building pressure
Fun Fact/Origin: In science, heat rises upward in air.
Usage: Talking about increasing heat or tension.
35. Midsummer Madness
Meaning: Excitement or wild behavior during summer.
Example Sentence:
• It was midsummer madness at the fair.
• The kids had midsummer madness at the pool party.
Other ways to say: fun chaos, summer craziness
Fun Fact/Origin: Shakespeare used this phrase in a play.
Usage: When people act silly or wild in summer.
36. A Hot Mess
Meaning: Something disorganized or out of control.
Example Sentence:
• After the hike, I looked like a hot mess.
• The picnic became a hot mess when it rained.
Other ways to say: a disaster, very messy
Fun Fact/Origin: “Hot mess” can mean a funny or dramatic situation.
Usage: Talking about someone or something that’s a bit of a disaster.
37. Sun-Faded
Meaning: Lightened in color by the sun.
Example Sentence:
• The flag was sun-faded after summer.
• Her shirt looked sun-faded from all the beach trips.
Other ways to say: bleached, light-colored
Fun Fact/Origin: Sunlight can fade fabric and paint over time.
Usage: When something has changed color due to sun.
38. Like Watching Grass Grow
Meaning: Very boring.
Example Sentence:
• That movie was like watching grass grow.
• Waiting in the sun felt like watching grass grow.
Other ways to say: boring, slow
Fun Fact/Origin: Grass grows slowly—watching it is dull.
Usage: Used when something is slow or dull.
39. Sun-Kissed Memories
Meaning: Happy memories from sunny days.
Example Sentence:
• We took photos of our sun-kissed memories at camp.
• The beach trip gave us sun-kissed memories.
Other ways to say: sweet moments, happy times
Fun Fact/Origin: Sunlight makes good times feel even more special.
Usage: Talking about good times during summer.
40. Hotter Than July
Meaning: Extremely hot.
Example Sentence:
• It’s hotter than July in this classroom.
• The gym was hotter than July during the game.
Other ways to say: boiling, super hot
Fun Fact/Origin: July is often the hottest month of the year.
Usage: Used when the heat feels extra strong.
41. Summer State of Mind
Meaning: Feeling relaxed and happy, like it’s summer.
Example Sentence:
• After school ended, I was in a summer state of mind.
• She always has a summer state of mind—cheerful and easygoing.
Other ways to say: relaxed mood, happy vibes
Fun Fact/Origin: Summer makes people feel free and joyful.
Usage: Describes someone feeling carefree.
42. Catch the Summer Bug
Meaning: Start to feel excited about summer.
Example Sentence:
• I caught the summer bug and can’t wait for vacation.
• She caught the summer bug after seeing the pool open.
Other ways to say: excited for summer
Fun Fact/Origin: Like catching a cold, but instead catching fun feelings.
Usage: When someone starts to feel summer joy.
43. Burning Daylight
Meaning: Wasting time when you could be doing something.
Example Sentence:
• Let’s go! We’re burning daylight!
• Stop stalling—we’re burning daylight!
Other ways to say: wasting time, hurry up
Fun Fact/Origin: The sun gives only so much light each day.
Usage: When urging someone to get moving.
44. Flip-Flop Season
Meaning: Time to wear flip-flops—summer time.
Example Sentence:
• It’s flip-flop season—let’s head to the beach.
• I love the flip-flop season because it means warm weather.
Other ways to say: sandal weather, summer shoes
Fun Fact/Origin: Flip-flops are common summer footwear in the U.S.
Usage: Talking about warm weather and what people wear.
45. Summer Is in Full Swing
Meaning: Summer has fully started with lots of activity.
Example Sentence:
• Summer is in full swing with barbecues and pool days.
• You can tell summer is in full swing when the parks are packed.
Other ways to say: summer has begun, peak summer
Fun Fact/Origin: “In full swing” means at its most active time.
Usage: Describing when summer is busy and exciting.
Quiz: Idioms About Summer
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 “dog days of summer” mean?
A) The time when dogs bark a lot
B) The hottest days of summer
C) A time when people adopt dogs
2. If someone is “cool as a cucumber,” what are they like?
A) Very calm and relaxed
B) Cold and angry
C) Trying to stay warm
3. What does “catch some rays” mean?
A) Chase animals
B) Get sunburned
C) Enjoy the sunshine
4. What does it mean if someone says “make hay while the sun shines”?
A) Collect hay on sunny days
B) Take a nap
C) Do something while you have the chance
5. What does “hot under the collar” mean?
A) Wearing warm clothes
B) Feeling angry
C) Washing your shirt
6. If someone is “sweating buckets,” what are they doing?
A) Drinking water
B) Playing with buckets
C) Sweating a lot
7. What does “burning daylight” mean?
A) Getting a sunburn
B) Wasting time
C) Watching the sunset
8. If a place is “like a frying pan,” what does that mean?
A) It smells good
B) It’s very hot
C) It’s full of food
9. What does “summer fling” mean?
A) A long winter story
B) A short summer romance
C) Throwing something in summer
10. What does “sun’s out, fun’s out” mean?
A) Go to bed when it’s sunny
B) Sunny days are for fun
C) It’s too hot to play
11. If someone “catches the summer bug,” what happens?
A) They get a cold
B) They feel excited about summer
C) They get stung by a bee
12. What does “like watching grass grow” mean?
A) Something is very boring
B) Something is exciting
C) Watching a race
13. What does “flip-flop season” mean?
A) Time to play in snow
B) Time to wear warm boots
C) Time to wear sandals
14. If a room feels “like a sauna,” what is it like?
A) Very cold
B) Very hot and steamy
C) Full of people
15. What does “summer is in full swing” mean?
A) Summer is almost over
B) Summer hasn’t started yet
C) Summer is busy and fun
Answer Key
- B – The hottest days of summer
- A – Very calm and relaxed
- C – Enjoy the sunshine
- C – Do something while you have the chance
- B – Feeling angry
- C – Sweating a lot
- B – Wasting time
- B – It’s very hot
- B – A short summer romance
- B – Sunny days are for fun
- B – They feel excited about summer
- A – Something is very boring
- C – Time to wear sandals
- B – Very hot and steamy
- C – Summer is busy and fun
Wrapping Up
Summer idioms can be fun to learn. They help us talk about heat, sunshine, and all the exciting things we do during the season. From playing outside to cooling off with cold drinks, these idioms paint a clear picture with just a few words.
Using summer idioms can also make your conversations more interesting. Now that you know what they mean, try using them in your everyday life—especially when the sun is shining and the days are long.
