Autumn is a season when the leaves change color and the air feels cool. People wear warm clothes and drink hot drinks. Trees look red, orange, and yellow. It is a time when many animals get ready for winter. Some birds fly to warmer places. Squirrels look for nuts and hide them.
This season also has special sayings called idioms. These are short phrases that have meanings you might not guess just by looking at the words. In autumn, some idioms talk about change, hard work, or getting ready. These sayings help us understand ideas in fun ways. They can also show how people feel during this time of year. Let’s learn about a few autumn idioms and what they mean.
Idioms for Autumn
1. Turn over a new leaf
Meaning: To start fresh or make a change for the better.
To Provide an Example: After summer break, Mia wanted to turn over a new leaf and study more. / Jake turned over a new leaf by being nicer to his classmates.
Alternative Meaning: Trying something new after making a mistake. / Being a better person.
2. In the fall of life
Meaning: A time when someone is older and has lived most of their life.
To Provide an Example: Grandpa likes to sit on the porch in the fall of life and tell stories. / In the fall of life, Grandma enjoys baking cookies for her grandkids.
Alternative Meaning: Later years in life. / Time to enjoy the little things.
3. Harvest the fruits of your labor
Meaning: To enjoy the results of hard work.
To Provide an Example: After cleaning her room all week, Emma harvested the fruits of her labor with a trip to the zoo. / Liam studied hard and harvested the fruits of his labor by getting a gold star.
Alternative Meaning: Getting rewards after trying hard. / Seeing good things happen after working.
4. Apple of my eye
Meaning: Someone who is very special to you.
To Provide an Example: Mom says I’m the apple of her eye. / My puppy is the apple of my eye.
Alternative Meaning: Someone you love a lot. / A person or pet you care for deeply.
5. Fall into place
Meaning: When things start to work out or make sense.
To Provide an Example: After practicing every day, the puzzle finally fell into place for Ava. / Things fell into place when Max found his missing toy.
Alternative Meaning: Everything starts working. / Things go the right way.
6. Full of beans
Meaning: Very full of energy.
To Provide an Example: After lunch, Noah was full of beans and ran around the yard. / Ella was full of beans on the way to the pumpkin patch.
Alternative Meaning: Very excited. / Active and ready to play.
7. A cornucopia of ideas
Meaning: A big mix of many ideas.
To Provide an Example: For the school play, Sam had a cornucopia of ideas. / The class made a cornucopia of drawings for fall.
Alternative Meaning: A lot of fun thoughts. / Many different things to try.
8. Like leaves in the wind
Meaning: Changing a lot or hard to keep still.
To Provide an Example: Her thoughts were like leaves in the wind during story time. / Tommy ran like leaves in the wind across the field.
Alternative Meaning: Moving all around. / Not staying in one place.
9. A chill in the air
Meaning: A cool feeling that means fall is here.
To Provide an Example: When we went outside, there was a chill in the air. / I knew it was fall when I felt a chill in the air.
Alternative Meaning: Cool weather is starting. / A sign that it’s autumn.
10. Fall for something
Meaning: To believe something, sometimes too easily.
To Provide an Example: I fell for my brother’s silly trick. / Maya fell for the joke about candy rain.
Alternative Meaning: To be tricked. / To believe something that isn’t true.
11. Rake it in
Meaning: To get a lot of something, often money or rewards.
To Provide an Example: Sam raked in stickers for helping the teacher. / Our class raked in praise for our fall art.
Alternative Meaning: Getting a lot of something. / Being rewarded a lot.
12. As quick as a squirrel
Meaning: Very fast.
To Provide an Example: Mia was as quick as a squirrel during tag. / He grabbed the last cookie as quick as a squirrel.
Alternative Meaning: Moving fast. / Doing something quickly.
13. Fall flat
Meaning: When something doesn’t work or is not funny.
To Provide an Example: His joke fell flat in front of the class. / The toy fell flat when it broke right away.
Alternative Meaning: Doesn’t go well. / Not a success.
14. Autumn years
Meaning: The later part of someone’s life.
To Provide an Example: In his autumn years, Grandpa enjoys slow walks. / Grandma loves knitting in her autumn years.
Alternative Meaning: Older age. / Peaceful part of life.
15. Drop like leaves
Meaning: Many things or people leaving at once.
To Provide an Example: The players dropped like leaves when it got cold. / Toys dropped like leaves from the shelf.
Alternative Meaning: Going away fast. / A lot leaving or falling.
16. Squirrel something away
Meaning: To save or hide something for later.
To Provide an Example: She squirreled away candy in her desk. / He squirreled away his birthday money.
Alternative Meaning: Keeping something safe. / Hiding things to use later.
17. Blow away
Meaning: To be very surprised or amazed.
To Provide an Example: I was blown away by her painting. / He was blown away when he saw the big pumpkin.
Alternative Meaning: Really surprised. / Shocked in a happy way.
18. Fall behind
Meaning: To not keep up with others.
To Provide an Example: She fell behind on her reading. / I fell behind in the race but kept going.
Alternative Meaning: Going slower than others. / Not keeping up.
19. Like a pumpkin in the sun
Meaning: Getting tired or not looking fresh.
To Provide an Example: After recess, I felt like a pumpkin in the sun. / My costume looked like a pumpkin in the sun after Halloween.
Alternative Meaning: Tired or worn out. / Not at your best.
20. Cool as a crisp apple
Meaning: Calm and relaxed.
To Provide an Example: Liam was cool as a crisp apple during the test. / Even when she lost, Ava stayed cool as a crisp apple.
Alternative Meaning: Calm and okay. / Not upset.
21. Scarecrow smile
Meaning: A big, wide smile.
To Provide an Example: He had a scarecrow smile when he saw the pie. / She gave a scarecrow smile in the fall photo.
Alternative Meaning: A very happy face. / Smiling really big.
22. Sweater weather
Meaning: Time when it’s cool enough to wear sweaters.
To Provide an Example: It’s sweater weather, so I wore my red one. / We know it’s fall when it’s sweater weather.
Alternative Meaning: Cool days in autumn. / Time to dress warm.
23. Blow hot and cold
Meaning: To keep changing your mind.
To Provide an Example: He blew hot and cold about going to the corn maze. / One minute she wants pie, then she doesn’t—she blows hot and cold.
Alternative Meaning: Can’t decide. / Always changing thoughts.
24. Like falling leaves
Meaning: Something happening gently or slowly.
To Provide an Example: The song was soft like falling leaves. / Her tears came like falling leaves after the sad movie.
Alternative Meaning: Slow and quiet. / Soft and gentle.
25. A cozy corner
Meaning: A small, warm, and safe place.
To Provide an Example: I read books in my cozy corner at home. / The library has a cozy corner with bean bags.
Alternative Meaning: A comfy place. / Small space to relax.
26. Changing like the seasons
Meaning: Someone or something that changes a lot.
To Provide an Example: His moods are changing like the seasons. / Our class art wall is changing like the seasons.
Alternative Meaning: Always different. / Not the same for long.
27. Pile up like leaves
Meaning: To gather in a big amount.
To Provide an Example: My homework piled up like leaves. / Toys piled up like leaves in the living room.
Alternative Meaning: A lot gathering. / Things stacking up.
28. As bright as fall leaves
Meaning: Very colorful or cheerful.
To Provide an Example: Her dress was as bright as fall leaves. / The birthday party was as bright as fall leaves.
Alternative Meaning: Very happy or colorful. / Full of joy.
29. Like a breeze through trees
Meaning: Quick and peaceful.
To Provide an Example: The dance show was like a breeze through trees. / Her voice was like a breeze through trees when she sang.
Alternative Meaning: Calm and flowing. / Smooth and quiet.
30. Under the harvest moon
Meaning: A time to enjoy with family and friends.
To Provide an Example: We had a picnic under the harvest moon. / Grandma tells stories under the harvest moon.
Alternative Meaning: Happy time in fall. / Being with people you love.
31. Bundle up
Meaning: To put on warm clothes.
To Provide an Example: Mom told me to bundle up before we went outside. / We bundled up in hats and scarves for the football game.
Alternative Meaning: Dress warmly. / Wear layers for the cold.
32. Like a scarecrow in the wind
Meaning: Looking tired or messy.
To Provide an Example: After recess, I looked like a scarecrow in the wind. / His costume was all over, like a scarecrow in the wind.
Alternative Meaning: Messy and wild. / Out of place.
33. As busy as a squirrel
Meaning: Very active or working a lot.
To Provide an Example: She was as busy as a squirrel getting her homework done. / He was as busy as a squirrel packing for the trip.
Alternative Meaning: Doing many things. / Moving quickly and working hard.
34. Falling through the cracks
Meaning: Being forgotten or missed.
To Provide an Example: His paper fell through the cracks and didn’t get graded. / I felt like my idea fell through the cracks in group work.
Alternative Meaning: Not noticed. / Left out by accident.
35. Cold snap
Meaning: A sudden short time of cold weather.
To Provide an Example: We had a cold snap and needed coats today. / The cold snap made the pond freeze.
Alternative Meaning: Quick cold weather. / A sudden chill.
36. Falling for fall
Meaning: Really liking the autumn season.
To Provide an Example: I’m falling for fall because of apple pie. / She’s falling for fall with all her pumpkin crafts.
Alternative Meaning: Loving fall. / Enjoying the season.
37. As clear as a crisp fall morning
Meaning: Very easy to understand or see.
To Provide an Example: The answer was as clear as a crisp fall morning. / Her picture was as clear as a crisp fall morning.
Alternative Meaning: Easy to see. / Makes perfect sense.
38. Roll with the leaves
Meaning: Go along with changes.
To Provide an Example: When our field trip changed, we rolled with the leaves. / She rolled with the leaves when the game rules changed.
Alternative Meaning: Being flexible. / Going with the flow.
39. Brown as a fall leaf
Meaning: Tanned or dirty from playing outside.
To Provide an Example: His knees were brown as a fall leaf from the playground. / After hiking, my shoes were brown as a fall leaf.
Alternative Meaning: Covered in dirt. / Colored like fall.
40. Fall feast
Meaning: A big, yummy meal during autumn.
To Provide an Example: We had a fall feast at school with apple pie and corn. / Grandma made a fall feast for the whole family.
Alternative Meaning: Big autumn meal. / Sharing food in fall.
41. Shake like a leaf
Meaning: To tremble or be very cold or scared.
To Provide an Example: I shook like a leaf during the windy walk. / He shook like a leaf before reading in class.
Alternative Meaning: Cold or nervous. / Shivering.
42. Wind at your back
Meaning: Things are going well or helping you.
To Provide an Example: With the wind at her back, she finished the race first. / His project had the wind at its back with help from friends.
Alternative Meaning: Getting support. / Everything is helping.
43. As soft as fall fog
Meaning: Very quiet or gentle.
To Provide an Example: Her voice was as soft as fall fog. / The kitten moved as soft as fall fog.
Alternative Meaning: Gentle and light. / Quiet and smooth.
44. Ride the breeze
Meaning: To take it easy or enjoy the moment.
To Provide an Example: We rode the breeze through the apple orchard. / I like to ride the breeze on weekends.
Alternative Meaning: Relaxing. / Taking your time.
45. Pumpkin smile
Meaning: A big, warm smile like a jack-o’-lantern.
To Provide an Example: She gave a pumpkin smile when she saw the candy. / His pumpkin smile lit up the room.
Alternative Meaning: Big happy grin. / Bright, cheerful face.
46. A breeze of change
Meaning: A small sign that things are different.
To Provide an Example: A breeze of change came when we switched seats. / New books brought a breeze of change to the class.
Alternative Meaning: Something new. / A little change.
47. Rustle up
Meaning: To quickly find or make something.
To Provide an Example: Dad rustled up a snack before the game. / We rustled up some crayons for the art project.
Alternative Meaning: Gather quickly. / Make or grab fast.
48. Dry as fall leaves
Meaning: Very dry or thirsty.
To Provide an Example: After gym, I was dry as fall leaves. / My hands were dry as fall leaves from the cold.
Alternative Meaning: Needing water. / Feeling rough.
49. Autumn glow
Meaning: A happy and peaceful feeling in fall.
To Provide an Example: The sunset gave the sky an autumn glow. / She smiled with an autumn glow after the walk.
Alternative Meaning: Warm and calm feeling. / Peaceful moment.
50. Catch the wind
Meaning: Trying to hold onto something that’s hard to keep.
To Provide an Example: Catching the wind is like trying to keep the weekend going. / His idea was like catching the wind—here and gone.
Alternative Meaning: Hard to hold. / Something that slips away.
Trials for Success: Idioms for Autumn
- After getting a bad grade, Jordan wanted to __________ and try harder next time.
- Grandma likes to sit outside and enjoy her stories in the __________ of life.
- Emily cleaned her room all week and got ice cream to __________.
- My little brother is the __________ of my eye.
- We wore jackets to school because there was a __________ in the air.
- Ben was __________ helping set the table for Thanksgiving.
- Emma was cold at the football game, so she had to __________ before the second half.
- We had a big meal of turkey and pie—it was a real __________.
- After recess, I looked like a __________ in the wind.
- The teacher gave us a new book, and it felt like a __________ in class.
- I was nervous before the spelling test and started to __________.
- Mom helped me __________ a quick snack after soccer practice.
- The dog ran through the leaves as __________.
- After losing his toy, Eli’s mood was changing like the __________.
- When we changed our weekend plan, Dad told us to just __________.
Answer Key
- turn over a new leaf
- fall
- harvest the fruits of her labor
- apple
- chill
- as busy as a squirrel
- bundle up
- fall feast
- scarecrow
- breeze of change
- shake like a leaf
- rustle up
- quick as a squirrel
- seasons
- roll with the leaves
Conclusion
Autumn brings cool air, bright leaves, and new feelings. People get ready for change, just like trees do. Idioms help us talk about these changes in fun ways.
These sayings come from real life. They help us understand each other better. When we hear phrases like “turn over a new leaf” or “bundle up,” we can picture what they mean. Learning idioms makes speaking and writing more fun in fall.
