Holidays are a time to relax, celebrate, and create happy memories. In English, there are many holiday idioms that make conversations more colorful and meaningful. These idioms are often used to express joy, excitement, and special feelings during festive times. Learning them can help you speak more naturally and understand native speakers better. In this article, you will learn popular holiday idioms with their clear meanings and pictures to make learning easy and fun. This will help you use these expressions confidently in your daily conversations.
Holiday Idioms in English with Their Meanings
Idiom | Meaning |
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Home for the holidays | Returning home to celebrate a holiday |
Holiday spirit | Feeling happy and festive |
Spread holiday cheer | Share joy and kindness during holidays |
Light up like a Christmas tree | Look very bright and happy |
The more the merrier | More people make an occasion better |
Ring in the New Year | Celebrate the beginning of a new year |
Stuffed like a turkey | Eat too much during a holiday meal |
Trim the tree | Decorate the Christmas tree |
Snowed under | Very busy (like during holidays) |
Eat, drink, and be merry | Enjoy life during celebrations |
Good things come in small packages | Small gifts can be special |
Wrapped up like a gift | Covered tightly |
White Christmas | A Christmas with snow |
Deck the halls | Decorate for Christmas |
Leftovers feast | Holiday food eaten the next day |
No place like home | Best feeling is being home |
New Year’s resolution | Promise to improve something in the new year |
Santa’s little helper | Someone who helps during Christmas |
Under the mistletoe | Tradition to kiss under the mistletoe |
Season’s greetings | A polite holiday wish |

Holiday Idioms in English with Their Meanings
Master Holiday Idioms in English with Meaning
Idiom | Meaning |
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Holiday blues | Feeling sad during holidays |
Break the ice | Start a conversation at gatherings |
Christmas comes but once a year | Reminder to enjoy the holiday fully |
Gift of gab | Ability to talk well (like during parties) |
Party animal | Someone who loves parties |
New Year, new beginnings | Fresh start with the new year |
Stocking stuffer | Small inexpensive gift |
All wrapped up | Finished or completed |
Full plate | Too many things to do during holidays |
Knock back a few | Drink alcohol socially |
Turkey trot | A run or race held around Thanksgiving |
Out with the old, in with the new | Replace the past with new things |
Blow out the candles | Birthday or holiday tradition |
Join the festivities | Take part in celebrations |
Ring bells | Remind or signal something festive |
Feasting and fun | Enjoy food and happiness |
Lay the table | Prepare food table for holidays |
Party spirit | Excited feeling at an event |
Pop the champagne | Celebrate an occasion |
Bundle of joy | Baby born during the holiday season |

Master Holiday Idioms in English with Meaning
100 Holiday Idiom with Their Meanings
Idiom | Meaning |
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Holiday rush | Busy shopping or travel season |
Light at the end of the tunnel | Hope after difficulty |
Over the moon | Extremely happy (like after gifts) |
Snowball effect | One small thing growing bigger |
Give the cold shoulder | Ignore someone, even during holidays |
Spread joy | Make others happy |
Table talk | Conversations at holiday meals |
In high spirits | Very cheerful |
Party pooper | Someone who ruins the fun |
Eat like a horse | Eat a lot at celebrations |
Go on holiday | Take a vacation |
Make merry | Celebrate happily |
Holiday treat | Special food for the holiday |
Blow off steam | Relax or release stress during holiday |
Ring out the old year | Say goodbye to the past year |
The holiday of a lifetime | Best holiday experience ever |
Cold turkey | Stop something suddenly (often after New Year) |
Snowed in | Stuck inside because of heavy snow |
Travel bug | Strong desire to travel |
Packed like sardines | Crowded places during holiday travel |

100 Holiday Idiom with Their Meanings
Popular Holiday Idioms in English with Pictures
Idiom | Meaning |
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Like clockwork | Perfectly on schedule (like holiday plans) |
All in one piece | Arrive safely after travel |
Fun and games | Enjoyable activities |
Cast in stone | Plans that cannot be changed |
Short break | A quick holiday |
Long weekend | Extra holiday with a weekend |
Burning the candle at both ends | Working or celebrating too much |
Food for thought | Something to think about during gatherings |
Take a trip down memory lane | Remember the past |
Snowed with gifts | Receiving many presents |
Hit the road | Start traveling |
Holiday highlight | Best part of the holiday |
Wish upon a star | Make a wish (often during Christmas) |
Santa’s list | A list of good or bad behavior |
Open house | Celebration where guests may visit freely |
Brighten the day | Make someone’s day happier |
In the bag | Certain to happen |
Have a blast | Enjoy a lot |
Fireworks display | Holiday celebration with fireworks |
Holiday getaway | A short trip to relax |

Popular Holiday Idioms in English with Pictures
Powerful Idiom with Their Meanings with Pictures
Idiom | Meaning |
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Bundle up | Wear warm clothes in winter holidays |
Gift horse | A present not to be questioned |
Out of this world | Amazing experience |
Snowed with work | Busy before holidays |
Paint the town red | Go out celebrating |
Let your hair down | Relax and enjoy |
Sweet tooth | Love for holiday sweets |
Winter wonderland | Snowy holiday scene |
Blow hot and cold | Change moods quickly (even in holidays) |
Christmas bonus | Extra money from work at holiday time |
Hit the jackpot | Get lucky (like in holiday games) |
Holiday cheer | Happiness spread during holidays |
Santa’s sack | Bag full of gifts |
Big bash | A large holiday party |
Joy to the world | Happiness everywhere |
Frosty reception | Cold welcome |
Bells and whistles | Extra special features (like gifts or plans) |
Let the good times roll | Celebrate happily |
Holiday hangover | Tiredness after too much fun |
Feast your eyes | Look at something beautiful |

Powerful Holiday Idioms with Their Meanings
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