Waking up early is something many Americans try to do, especially on school days or workdays. It can be hard to leave the bed when it’s still dark outside, but some people believe that getting up early helps them have a better day. There are many sayings or phrases in the United States that talk about waking up early. These are called idioms. Idioms don’t always mean what the words say. They use fun or creative ways to explain something people do or feel.
In this article, you will learn different idioms that people use when they talk about waking up early. You’ll also see what each one means and how to use them in everyday life. These idioms are common in the USA and can help make your English sound more natural. Let’s take a look at some early-morning phrases that are used all across the country.
Idioms About Waking Up Early
1. The early bird catches the worm
Meaning: People who wake up early or start something early have an advantage.
Example Sentence:
– If you want to get the best deals on Black Friday, remember—the early bird catches the worm.
– Dad says waking up at 6 a.m. to study helps because the early bird catches the worm.
Other ways to say: First come, first served; Be ahead of the game.
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom comes from birds waking up early to find food. It’s been used in the USA since the 1600s.
Usage: Used when someone is rewarded for starting early.
2. Bright and early
Meaning: Very early in the morning.
Example Sentence:
– We left bright and early for our trip to the Grand Canyon.
– Mom wakes up bright and early to walk the dog.
Other ways to say: At the crack of dawn; Super early.
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom highlights the early morning sun being bright.
Usage: Used when someone does something early in the day.
3. Up with the chickens
Meaning: Waking up at the same time chickens usually do—very early.
Example Sentence:
– Grandpa is always up with the chickens, even on weekends.
– She was up with the chickens to bake pies before the fair.
Other ways to say: Rise early; Get up at sunrise.
Fun Fact/Origin: Chickens wake up at dawn. This idiom is often used in rural American towns.
Usage: Used to describe people who start their day early.
4. At the crack of dawn
Meaning: Right when the sun begins to rise.
Example Sentence:
– We started hiking at the crack of dawn to avoid the heat.
– Farmers often work at the crack of dawn to care for their animals.
Other ways to say: Very early; At sunrise.
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase refers to the very first light in the sky.
Usage: Used when talking about beginning something very early.
5. Rise and shine
Meaning: A friendly way to tell someone to wake up and start the day.
Example Sentence:
– Mom opened the curtains and said, “Rise and shine!”
– The coach yelled “Rise and shine!” before our early practice.
Other ways to say: Wake up! Time to get going!
Fun Fact/Origin: It has been used in the US military as a morning wake-up call.
Usage: Used to tell someone to wake up cheerfully.
6. Up and at ’em
Meaning: A way to tell someone to wake up and get moving.
Example Sentence:
– Dad clapped and said, “Up and at ’em, kids, time for school!”
– She heard “Up and at ’em!” and knew she had to hurry.
Other ways to say: Let’s go; Get up now.
Fun Fact/Origin: Short for “up and at them,” used during World War I.
Usage: Used to motivate people in the morning.
7. Start the day off right
Meaning: Begin the morning in a good way.
Example Sentence:
– A good breakfast helps you start the day off right.
– She does yoga to start the day off right.
Other ways to say: Begin the day well; Have a good start.
Fun Fact/Origin: Americans believe how you start your day can shape the rest of it.
Usage: Used to talk about good morning habits.
8. Get the jump on the day
Meaning: Start early to get ahead.
Example Sentence:
– He got the jump on the day by doing his homework before school.
– If you wake up early, you can get the jump on the day.
Other ways to say: Get ahead; Be first.
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom is often used in sports and business in the USA.
Usage: Used when people want to beat others by starting early.
9. Early riser
Meaning: Someone who wakes up early regularly.
Example Sentence:
– Grandma is an early riser; she’s up before 6 every day.
– I’ve become an early riser since school started.
Other ways to say: Morning person; Up early.
Fun Fact/Origin: Common in American families, especially for school and farming life.
Usage: Used to describe someone’s routine.
10. First light
Meaning: The very beginning of daylight.
Example Sentence:
– They reached the park at first light.
– Hunters often go out at first light.
Other ways to say: Dawn; Morning light.
Fun Fact/Origin: Used in weather reports and outdoor planning.
Usage: Used to describe the start of the day outdoors.
11. Get up and go
Meaning: Energy or motivation to start the day.
Example Sentence:
– I drank some orange juice to get up and go.
– She lost her get up and go after staying up too late.
Other ways to say: Energy; Pep.
Fun Fact/Origin: Used in the USA to describe morning energy.
Usage: Used when someone is ready (or not) to begin the day.
12. Wakey-wakey
Meaning: A playful way to wake someone up.
Example Sentence:
– Mom whispered, “Wakey-wakey, it’s time for school.”
– He said “Wakey-wakey!” while shaking his dog awake.
Other ways to say: Time to wake up; Morning call.
Fun Fact/Origin: A childlike way used often by parents in the USA.
Usage: Used to gently wake up someone, often kids.
13. Morning glory
Meaning: A person who is cheerful in the morning.
Example Sentence:
– My sister is a morning glory, always singing at 6 a.m.
– No one wants to talk to a morning glory before coffee.
Other ways to say: Early bird; Morning person.
Fun Fact/Origin: Also the name of a flower that blooms early in the day.
Usage: Describes people full of energy in the morning.
14. Shake off the sleep
Meaning: Wake up and get moving.
Example Sentence:
– I need a cold shower to shake off the sleep.
– He ran laps to shake off the sleep before practice.
Other ways to say: Wake up fully; Get moving.
Fun Fact/Origin: Common in American sports and fitness talk.
Usage: Used when someone needs help waking up.
15. Hit the ground running
Meaning: Start your day quickly and actively.
Example Sentence:
– Teachers hit the ground running on the first day of school.
– I hit the ground running after waking up late.
Other ways to say: Start strong; Jump right in.
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from soldiers jumping out of planes.
Usage: Used when someone starts their morning tasks fast.
16. Beat the sun up
Meaning: Wake up before sunrise.
Example Sentence:
– I beat the sun up to go fishing with Uncle Joe.
– She beat the sun up to make pancakes for the family.
Other ways to say: Wake up early; Up before daylight.
Fun Fact/Origin: Used often in American camping or farming.
Usage: Describes waking up very early.
17. Jump-start the day
Meaning: Do something to get going early and fast.
Example Sentence:
– A jog helps me jump-start the day.
– He jump-starts the day with a hot shower and music.
Other ways to say: Begin with energy; Start strong.
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from jump-starting a car with cables.
Usage: Used when something helps wake you up fast.
18. Early out of the gate
Meaning: Starting earlier than others.
Example Sentence:
– She was early out of the gate on her science project.
– Being early out of the gate gave him more free time later.
Other ways to say: Ahead of time; Early start.
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from horse racing, where gates open at the start.
Usage: Used when someone starts faster or earlier than others.
19. Chirp like a morning bird
Meaning: Be cheerful and talkative early in the day.
Example Sentence:
– She chirps like a morning bird before breakfast.
– Not everyone wants to chirp like a morning bird at 5 a.m.
Other ways to say: Be chatty; Talk a lot early.
Fun Fact/Origin: Inspired by birds singing at sunrise.
Usage: Used for people who are too happy early in the day.
20. Up before the alarm
Meaning: Wake up without needing the alarm clock.
Example Sentence:
– He was up before the alarm on the first day of school.
– I’m always up before the alarm when I’m excited.
Other ways to say: Wake up on your own; Rise early.
Fun Fact/Origin: Common in U.S. homes and school talk.
Usage: Used when someone naturally wakes up early.
21. Crack of the rooster’s crow
Meaning: Wake up super early, like when roosters crow.
Example Sentence:
– Grandpa was up at the crack of the rooster’s crow.
– She makes breakfast at the crack of the rooster’s crow.
Other ways to say: Very early; At dawn.
Fun Fact/Origin: Roosters are known to crow at first light.
Usage: Used in farm towns and country living.
22. Sun’s barely up
Meaning: Just after sunrise.
Example Sentence:
– The sun’s barely up and you’re already playing outside?
– We left for the airport while the sun’s barely up.
Other ways to say: Just after dawn; Early morning.
Fun Fact/Origin: Common in American homes when people rise early.
Usage: Used when it’s very early in the day.
23. Up before the coffee’s ready
Meaning: Waking up really early, even before morning coffee is done.
Example Sentence:
– She’s always up before the coffee’s ready on weekdays.
– I was up before the coffee’s ready to catch the bus.
Other ways to say: Super early; Before breakfast.
Fun Fact/Origin: Coffee is a big part of morning routines in the USA.
Usage: Used for very early risers.
24. Rooster-ready
Meaning: Being wide awake and ready to go early in the morning.
Example Sentence:
– He’s always rooster-ready for morning chores.
– You’ve got to be rooster-ready to work at the farm.
Other ways to say: Full of energy early; Ready to go.
Fun Fact/Origin: Based on how roosters start their day with energy.
Usage: Used to describe active early birds.
25. Up with the sun
Meaning: Wake up at sunrise.
Example Sentence:
– They were up with the sun to drive to the beach.
– She gets up with the sun every summer morning.
Other ways to say: Wake at dawn; Start early.
Fun Fact/Origin: Many outdoor activities in the U.S. begin with sunrise.
Usage: Used when describing routines that begin with sunlight.
26. Eyes open before the clock
Meaning: Wake up on your own, without an alarm.
Example Sentence:
– I had my eyes open before the clock this morning.
– He always opens his eyes before the clock during school season.
Other ways to say: Awake early; No alarm needed.
Fun Fact/Origin: A common phrase in U.S. military and sports settings.
Usage: Used to describe early and natural waking.
27. Crack-of-dawn energy
Meaning: Having lots of energy early in the day.
Example Sentence:
– She’s full of crack-of-dawn energy every day.
– I wish I had crack-of-dawn energy like my brother.
Other ways to say: Early boost; Morning pep.
Fun Fact/Origin: Used in American health and fitness talk.
Usage: Used to describe someone who is very active in the morning.
28. Alarm beater
Meaning: Someone who wakes up before their alarm clock.
Example Sentence:
– Dad is an alarm beater—he’s always up before it rings.
– I became an alarm beater during football camp.
Other ways to say: Early riser; Wake on your own.
Fun Fact/Origin: Commonly said in U.S. households and sports programs.
Usage: Used to show someone who rises earlier than needed.
Quiz: Idioms About Waking Up Early
Instructions: This quiz has 10 questions. Choose the best answer for each one.
Question Key
1. What does “the early bird catches the worm” mean?
A) Birds like worms
B) Being early helps you succeed
C) Worms are out at night
2. If someone is “up with the chickens,” what are they doing?
A) Sleeping in late
B) Going to the zoo
C) Waking up very early
3. What does “rise and shine” mean?
A) Go to sleep
B) Wake up and start your day
C) Turn off the lights
4. What does it mean to “beat the sun up”?
A) It’s too hot outside
B) You woke up before sunrise
C) You went to bed at sunrise
5. What does “bright and early” mean?
A) The sun is too bright
B) You start late
C) Very early in the morning
6. What does it mean to be an “early riser”?
A) You get up early
B) You stay up late
C) You take long naps
7. What does “hit the ground running” mean?
A) Start the day fast and ready
B) Trip and fall
C) Run in a race
8. If someone has “crack-of-dawn energy,” what does that mean?
A) They are sleepy
B) They have lots of energy early
C) They eat too much
9. What does “alarm beater” mean?
A) A person who breaks alarms
B) A person who wakes up before the alarm
C) A person who hates alarms
10. What does “get the jump on the day” mean?
A) Jump on your bed
B) Sleep more
C) Start early and get ahead
Answer Key
- B) Being early helps you succeed
- C) Waking up very early
- B) Wake up and start your day
- B) You woke up before sunrise
- C) Very early in the morning
- A) You get up early
- A) Start the day fast and ready
- B) They have lots of energy early
- B) A person who wakes up before the alarm
- C) Start early and get ahead
Wrapping Up
Waking up early is something many people in the USA try to do every day. From parents getting kids ready for school to workers starting the day with coffee, early mornings matter. These idioms help describe that time of day in fun and clever ways. Whether you’re an early riser or still learning how to be one, knowing these sayings helps you sound more natural in everyday conversations.
Now that you’ve read these 28 idioms, you can talk about mornings like a real early bird. Keep practicing, and maybe you’ll be up with the chickens next time.
