Mastering Nature Idioms: Enhancing Your English Vocabulary for ESL Students
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Discover the Beauty of Nature Idioms
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Most Common Idioms about Nature
These are my top tips to learn first. We have Set 1 which are the most positive and Set 2 which are also top idioms to learn.
Idiom Meaning, Example Use, Origins and Audio
click the idiom to hear the correct pronunciation
SET 1
On cloud nine
- To be amazingly happy.
- Winning made me so happy, I was on cloud nine.
- If you measure your happiness in height then it is like being high up in the sky.
Over the moon
- To be extremely happy.
- She was over the moon when she received the scholarship.
- Imagine jumping so high with joy that you could reach the moon.
Native Speaker Insight: If you get a new job or a nice present then you would describe how you feel as over the moon. A higher level of happiness, like achieving a life goal, you would use the more extreme version of being ‘on cloud nine’.
A sight for sore eyes
- Someone (or something) you are really happy to see.
- It was a busy month at work but when she saw her pay slip it was a sight for sore eyes.
- This suggests that seeing something pleasant can “heal” your tired or unhappy eyes.
A breath of fresh air
- Something or someone that brings new and refreshing ideas or energy.
- The teacher was a breath of fresh air because he was always happy.
- From the feeling of freshness when going outside.
Good nature (good-natured)
- To have a good nature is to be a kind person.
- Leya always cares for her friends. She is so good-natured.
- Describes a pleasant person.
Some speakers say ‘well-natured’, this has the same meaning but this can be seen as incorrect.
Save for a rainy day
- To save money in case you need it in the future.
- She always saves some of her money for a rainy day.
- The phrase originates from preparing money or resources for difficult times, like bad weather.
The coast is clear
- There is no danger and you can continue.
- They waited until the coast was clear before setting up the surprise party.
- This originally referred to the coast being free of enemy ships or danger.
To help you learn these idioms try our nature idioms worksheet with answers (free download pdf)
SET 2
Human nature
- Human nature is the normal way for a person to behave.
- Often brothers fight despite caring for each other, it is human nature.
- This term suggests basic qualities are shared by all people.
Bird’s eye view
- A view from a high position, providing a good overview.
- From the top of the tower, we had a bird’s eye view of Paris.
- The view of below from a bird above.
Take a rain check
- To say no to an invitation but maybe you can do it at a later time.
- Sorry I’m not free tonight, but let’s take a rain check and do it soon.
- This began with event tickets that allowed entry on another day if it was cancelled because of rain.
Considered an American English phrase that others now use for politeness.
Tip of the iceberg
- A small part of a larger problem.
- This issue is just the tip of the iceberg; we need to change.
- You may only be able to see a small part, but there maybe a lot more that you can’t see.
Feel under the weather
- To feel a little unwell.
- I won’t be able to come to work today because I am feeling under the weather.
- Originated in sailing, where sick sailors were sent below deck.
- Speakers often shorten to “under the weather”
Under a cloud
- Having a negative thing stay with you, like being suspected of something..
- Since the questions started, he has been under a cloud of suspicion.
- This phrase compares a dark cloud hanging overhead to representing suspicion.
The meaning of suspicion is a feeling or thought that something is possible, likely, or true. It is used when a person is thought to be guilty of something but not proven yet.
Last straw
- The final event or action that causes someone to reach their limit and take action.
- His lateness today was the last straw; the manager decided to give him a warning..
- This comes from the idea of one final straw breaking a camel’s back, such that the final small event caused the big reaction.
To help you learn these idioms try our nature idioms worksheet 2 with answers (free download pdf)
Example Conversations
At the Office
- finally closed – finished buying a house
- cramped apartment – living area with little space
- down payment – payment made early, like a deposit
- ‘spent a fortune’ – spend a lot of money
- the movers – people moving the house items
Maya: Hey Tom! How was your weekend?
Tom: Oh man, I’m still on cloud nine! Sarah and I finally closed on our first house!
Maya: No way! Congratulations! You two must be over the moon.
Tom: We really are. And honestly, moving out of that cramped apartment will be a breath of fresh air. I can’t wait to have actual space.
Maya: I bet. So when’s the big move?
Tom: Probably next month. We’ve been saving for a rainy day for years, so we’re in pretty good shape financially. Though I’m realizing the down payment is just the tip of the iceberg—there’s so much more to buy!
Maya: Tell me about it. When we moved, we spent a fortune on furniture alone.
Tom: Yeah, I’m starting to see that. Hey, by the way, is the coast clear to leave early on Friday? I need to meet with the movers.
Maya: Should be fine. Johnson’s out of town all week.
Friends Meeting Up
- insane – (means crazy) used as very busy
- make their mark – enforce their way of working
- micromanaging – managing every person and task
- criticized – say what is bad
- that’s rough – difficult
- booming – very favorable, doing well
Rachel: Work has been insane lately.
Lisa: Everything okay?
Rachel: Just tired. My new boss has been… difficult. I’m kind of under a cloud at work right now.
Lisa: Oh no, what happened?
Rachel: It’s human nature, I guess—new manager comes in, wants to make their mark. But she’s been micromanaging everything. This morning she criticized my report for the third time, and that was the last straw. I’m seriously considering looking for something else.
Lisa: Wow, that’s rough. Well, from a bird’s eye view, maybe it’s actually a good time to explore options? I heard your industry is booming right now.
Rachel: Maybe you’re right. But let’s not talk about work anymore—tell me about your trip to Costa Rica!
Lisa: Oh, it was incredible! Best vacation I’ve ever taken. I have so many photos to show you.
Rachel: I’d love to see them! Though can I take a rain check on coffee next week? I need to catch up on sleep this weekend.
Types of Nature Idioms
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Everyday Nature Idioms in English
These are very popular English idioms related to nature that native speakers do use frequently. We have grouped them to help learn related expressions together.
Weathering Life: Idioms About Challenges & Trouble
- Calm before the storm
- Weather the storm
- In deep water
- Walking on thin ice
- A drop in the ocean
- Make waves
- All at sea
Taking Risks & Trying New Things: Idioms for Adventure
- Go out on a limb
- Test the waters
- Off the beaten path
- Throw caution to the wind
- Break the ice
- To be a guinea pig
- New horizons
Nature’s Wisdom: Idioms About Feelings & Behavior
- Down to earth
- Head in the clouds
- Go with the flow
- Beat around the bush
- Cat got your tongue
- Get wind of something
- Dawn on someone
Easy or Impossible? Idioms About Difficulty & Simplicity
- A walk in the park
- Like looking for a needle in a haystack
- Wild goose chase
- Like a fish out of water
- Second nature
- Over the hill
- Cuts no ice
Growth & Change: Idioms About New Beginnings
- Turn over a new leaf
- Nip it in the bud
- Hit the ground running
- Out of the woods
- Up in the air
- Get the green light
- To go green
Rare & Wonderful: Idioms for Special Moments
- Once in a blue moon
- Have a whale of a time
- The best of both worlds
- Grass is always greener on the other side
- As pure as the driven snow
- Drop a bombshell
- In broad daylight
Earth Idioms
Enjoy idioms related to the earth with earth idioms in nature
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English Language Expressions Used in Conversation
Our level three collection of expressions are also used and worth knowing when learning English. Again we have grouped phrases under a similar meaning.
Lightning Strikes & Thunder Rolls: Idioms for Surprise & Emotion
- A bolt from the blue
- Face like thunder / Have a face like thunder
- As high as a kite
- Green with envy
- Steal your thunder
- Take the wind out of someone’s sails
Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Idioms About Tough Situations
- Caught between a rock and a hard place
- It’s a jungle out there
- A snowball’s chance in hell / When hell freezes over
- Barking up the wrong tree / To back the wrong horse
- Can’t see the wood for the trees / Can’t see the forest for the trees
- Make a mountain out of a molehill / To make a mountain out of a molehill
- Clear as mud
Come Rain or Shine: Idioms of Certainty & Resilience
- Come rain or shine
- In the eye of the storm
- Ride out the storm
- Break the mold
- Bite the bullet
- In full swing
Earthly Roots & Distant Shores: Idioms of Place & Community
- Put down roots
- Neck of the woods
- Hail from (a place)
- Off the beaten path / Go off the beaten path
- Heaven on earth
- Every nook and cranny
- X marks the spot
Don’t Rain on My Parade: Idioms of Conflict & Peace
- Don’t rain on my parade / Rain on someone’s parade
- Olive branch
- Draw a line in the sand
- Blow hot and cold
- Fair-weather friend
- Shrinking violet
- Water under the bridge
Nature’s Course: Idioms of Life, Time & Inevitability
- Pushing up daisies
- Many moons ago
- Answer the call of nature / Call of Nature
- Mother Nature
- On the rocks
- A force of nature
- Shoot for the moon
Moon Idioms
There are a few idioms that are related to the moon, would you like to learn them? Enjoy idioms related to the moon
Plant Idioms
Interested in idioms related to the plants, trees and flowers? If so visit plant idioms in nature
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A List of Nature Idioms: Vocabulary for ESL Students
These are not used in conversation as much as our previous examples but they are still vocabulary that are nature-inspired idioms.
Sunny Forecasts & Silver Linings: Idioms of Hope & Opportunity
- A ray of hope
- A ray of sunshine
- Chase rainbows
- Reach for the moon
- Make hay while the sun shines
- Every cloud has a silver lining
- Planted the seed
When the Heavens Open: Idioms About Storms & Rain
- A storm is brewing
- It’s raining cats and dogs / Rain cats and dogs
- Storm in a teacup
- Blood and Thunder
- Gone with the wind
- Against the wind
Roots, Blooms & New Growth: Nature's Life Cycle Idioms
- As fresh as a daisy
- Late bloomer
- Green thumb / Green fingers
- Bed of roses
- Oops-a-daisy
- Hit the hay
- You can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs
The Lay of the Land: Idioms of Place & Exploration
- Across the pond
- Off the grid
- Virgin territory
- Out of your element
- Below the surface
- Old flame (as uncharted emotional “territory”)
- Knock on wood (for luck in a new venture)
The Birds & The Bees: Idioms of Nature's Truths
- The birds and the bees
- Birds of a feather flock together
- Nature of the beast
- Force of Nature / Freak of nature
- A cold day in July (an unlikely natural event)
- The winds of change / Tides of change
Against All Odds: Idioms of Resilience & Reality
- You can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs
- Against the wind
- Nature of the beast (accepting difficulty)
- Blood and Thunder (difficult conflict)
- A cold day in July (an improbable challenge)
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Other English Idiomatic Expressions
The last set is just for reference in case you need to know the meanings.
Bloom & Blossom: Idioms of Growth & Opportunity
- April showers bring May flowers (proverb/idiom about reward after difficulty)
- Burst into bloom / In full bloom (to suddenly develop or flourish)
- Field of dreams (a place or project full of potential)
- Beyond the horizon (future possibilities)
- Back to nature (returning to a simpler, natural life)
Lost & Trapped: Idioms for Confusion and Trouble
- Up a tree (in a difficult situation with no easy escape)
- In a fog (confused, unable to think clearly)
- Lost in the shuffle (overlooked amidst chaos or many things)
- A voice in the wilderness (an unheeded warning or unpopular opinion)
- Zero hour (the critical moment when action must begin, often under pressure)
All That Glitters: Idioms About Attraction & Illusion
- Like a moth to a flame (powerfully and dangerously attracted)
- Paper tiger (something that appears threatening but is powerless)
- A rose by any other name (what matters is what something is, not what it’s called)
- King of the castle (someone in charge of a small domain, sometimes arrogantly)
- Too many to shake a stick at (a very large number)
The Human Condition: Idioms of Nature & State of Being
- Green around the gills (looking sick or nauseated)
- A rolling stone gathers no moss (a person who avoids responsibilities or never settles down)
- Under the same sun (sharing the same human experience despite differences)
- Dead air (an awkward period of silence, e.g., in conversation or broadcasting)
- Spit into the wind (to do something pointless and likely to backfire)
Community & Movement: Grassroots and Momentum
- Grass roots (the most basic level of an organization or community; ordinary people)
- Lost in the wilderness (figuratively aimless, without direction, often from a group or ideology)
- A rolling stone gathers no moss (can also fit here as a commentary on lifestyle)
- Back to nature (can also fit as a social movement)
- Paper tiger (can fit in political/geopolitical contexts)
Improve your English skills with these nature idioms.
We have gathered the greatest resource to learn about these English expressions and grouped them to be easier to learn for ESL students.
In the world around us we hear these words and can be confused., so we have packed in great insight to hopefully inspire and motivate you to understand these phrases like a native.
Start with the most common idioms listed first.
The others can be learnt in your own time if and when you are ready. Look at the images to help you gain interest and search for the meaning, example use and origin if you wish.
Remember the meaning of the words is different from the literal meaning of each word together.
We split the nature idioms into 5 levels, from the best idioms to learn first and to understand, then the next level that are commonly used. Level 3 are idioms that are also used but perhaps not as much, whilst level 4 are useful but not essential for an ESL student. Finally level 5 are included to make this a complete resources in case you wish to know the meanings.