Waves are fun to watch at the beach. They go up and down, crashing on the sand. But did you know we use wave words in talking, too? People sometimes use wave ideas to explain how they feel or what is happening in life. These are called idioms.
Idioms are phrases that don’t mean exactly what they say. “Ride the wave” doesn’t mean get on a real wave. It means go along with something that is already happening. In this article, we will learn some idioms that use waves. These idioms can help us talk about feelings, change, and trying hard.
Idioms about Waves
1. Ride the wave
Meaning: To go along with something that is already happening.
To Provide an Example: Jenna rode the wave of excitement during the school play. / Tom rode the wave of his team’s winning streak.
Alternative Meaning: He didn’t plan it, but he just rode the wave and had fun. / Sometimes it’s best to ride the wave and not worry too much.
2. Make waves
Meaning: To cause a big change or draw attention.
To Provide an Example: Liam made waves by bringing a new idea to class. / Her painting made waves at the school art show.
Alternative Meaning: He made waves with his new science project. / Sometimes making waves means you’re doing something brave.
3. Catch a wave
Meaning: To take a chance when something good is happening.
To Provide an Example: Mia caught a wave when she joined the fun game at recess. / He caught a wave and started a new club at school.
Alternative Meaning: She caught a wave and joined the music group. / They caught a wave by joining early and had a great time.
4. Wave of change
Meaning: A time when many things start to become different.
To Provide an Example: There was a wave of change when the school got a new principal. / A wave of change came when we moved to a new city.
Alternative Meaning: After the big storm, there was a wave of change in our town. / New rules brought a wave of change to the lunchroom.
5. Wave of emotion
Meaning: A strong feeling that comes quickly.
To Provide an Example: She felt a wave of emotion when she saw her lost dog. / A wave of emotion hit him during the school concert.
Alternative Meaning: He felt a wave of emotion when he got his medal. / Seeing the flag made her feel a wave of emotion.
6. Waves of laughter
Meaning: A lot of laughter that comes again and again.
To Provide an Example: The class burst into waves of laughter at the funny story. / Grandpa’s jokes always bring waves of laughter.
Alternative Meaning: There were waves of laughter during the puppet show. / The silly cat video made us laugh in waves.
7. Wave it off
Meaning: To ignore something or act like it’s not a big deal.
To Provide an Example: She waved off the mistake and kept playing. / He waved off the noise and finished reading.
Alternative Meaning: Mom waved off the mess and smiled. / They waved off the spill and kept eating.
8. Waves of energy
Meaning: Feeling full of energy that comes in bursts.
To Provide an Example: After the nap, he had waves of energy. / She felt waves of energy while dancing.
Alternative Meaning: They had waves of energy at recess. / Running in the yard gave us waves of energy.
9. Send out waves
Meaning: To cause people to notice or react.
To Provide an Example: Her big idea sent out waves in the classroom. / The team sent out waves after their big win.
Alternative Meaning: The loud music sent out waves at the party. / His cool project sent out waves at the fair.
10. In waves
Meaning: Happening again and again, like water waves.
To Provide an Example: The kids came in waves to the ice cream truck. / The snow fell in waves all afternoon.
Alternative Meaning: Rain came in waves during the storm. / People cheered in waves at the game.
11. Wave goodbye
Meaning: To say goodbye by moving your hand.
To Provide an Example: She waved goodbye to her friend on the bus. / We waved goodbye after the playdate.
Alternative Meaning: They waved goodbye to summer break. / Dad waved goodbye before leaving for work.
12. A wave of calm
Meaning: A sudden feeling of peace or quiet.
To Provide an Example: A wave of calm came over her before the test. / He felt a wave of calm while sitting by the lake.
Alternative Meaning: A wave of calm filled the classroom after the bell. / Mom felt a wave of calm after a busy day.
13. Wave someone over
Meaning: To ask someone to come closer by waving.
To Provide an Example: He waved his friend over to play. / She waved the teacher over to ask a question.
Alternative Meaning: Dad waved us over to the table. / The coach waved him over during practice.
14. A wave of heat
Meaning: A strong and sudden hot feeling.
To Provide an Example: A wave of heat hit us when we opened the car door. / She felt a wave of heat after running.
Alternative Meaning: The wave of heat made us go inside. / We stayed cool during the wave of heat.
15. Wave away
Meaning: To push something away with your hand.
To Provide an Example: He waved away the fly at lunch. / She waved away the smoke from the candle.
Alternative Meaning: Dad waved away the smell of burnt toast. / They waved away the dust from the books.
16. A wave of fear
Meaning: A strong feeling of being scared.
To Provide an Example: A wave of fear came when the lights went out. / She felt a wave of fear before her speech.
Alternative Meaning: He had a wave of fear during the thunderstorm. / The wave of fear passed when the dog stopped barking.
17. Wave back
Meaning: To wave after someone waves at you.
To Provide an Example: She waved back at her grandma. / The baby waved back at everyone.
Alternative Meaning: He smiled and waved back. / The class waved back at the mail carrier.
18. Big wave coming
Meaning: A big or exciting event is about to happen.
To Provide an Example: There’s a big wave coming with the school party. / A big wave is coming when summer starts.
Alternative Meaning: Get ready, a big wave is coming for field day. / The big wave came when the band started playing.
19. Wave through
Meaning: To let someone go past by waving.
To Provide an Example: The guard waved us through the gate. / Mom waved the car through at pickup.
Alternative Meaning: The teacher waved us through the hallway. / The coach waved the team through the door.
20. Make a splash
Meaning: To get a lot of attention or do something exciting.
To Provide an Example: He made a splash at the talent show. / Her drawing made a splash on the wall.
Alternative Meaning: The new student made a splash on her first day. / His funny story made a splash at lunch.
21. Wave goodbye to worries
Meaning: To stop being worried or scared.
To Provide an Example: She waved goodbye to worries before the game. / He waved goodbye to worries after talking to his mom.
Alternative Meaning: The story helped them wave goodbye to worries. / Breathing slow helped her wave goodbye to worries.
22. Feel the wave
Meaning: To notice something strong, like a feeling or idea.
To Provide an Example: She felt the wave of joy during the song. / He felt the wave of fun on the roller coaster.
Alternative Meaning: We felt the wave of cheering at the game. / The movie made me feel the wave of hope.
23. Ride out the wave
Meaning: To stay calm and wait until something hard is over.
To Provide an Example: We rode out the wave during the storm. / She rode out the wave of loud noise at the party.
Alternative Meaning: He rode out the wave of being nervous. / They rode out the wave until it was quiet again.
24. A wave of ideas
Meaning: A lot of ideas that come at once.
To Provide an Example: I had a wave of ideas for my drawing. / A wave of ideas came during group time.
Alternative Meaning: The wave of ideas helped us plan the game. / She had a wave of ideas while daydreaming.
25. Tiny ripple, big wave
Meaning: A small thing can lead to something big.
To Provide an Example: Saying hi was a tiny ripple that made a big wave of friendship. / One smile made a big wave of kindness.
Alternative Meaning: The tiny ripple of help started a big wave. / Her little idea made a big wave in the class.
26. Calm before the wave
Meaning: A quiet time before something busy or loud happens.
To Provide an Example: The classroom was quiet, the calm before the wave of lunch. / It was calm before the wave of kids ran outside.
Alternative Meaning: We had a calm moment before the wave of noise. / She sat still in the calm before the wave of fun.
27. Wave goodbye to the past
Meaning: To move on from old things or memories.
To Provide an Example: He waved goodbye to the past when he changed schools. / She waved goodbye to the past and made new friends.
Alternative Meaning: We waved goodbye to the past after moving. / It was time to wave goodbye to the past and start fresh.
28. On the same wave
Meaning: Thinking or feeling the same way as someone else.
To Provide an Example: We were on the same wave during the team game. / She and her friend were on the same wave in art class.
Alternative Meaning: He and his brother were on the same wave about dinner. / The team was on the same wave and won.
29. Lost in the waves
Meaning: Feeling confused or left out.
To Provide an Example: He felt lost in the waves on the first day. / She got lost in the waves of noise at the party.
Alternative Meaning: I felt lost in the waves when I didn’t know what to do. / The dog looked lost in the waves of people.
30. Making ripples
Meaning: Starting something small that spreads out.
To Provide an Example: Her kind words made ripples in the classroom. / He made ripples by helping someone new.
Alternative Meaning: Sharing made ripples of smiles. / The story made ripples of good feelings.
31. A rising wave
Meaning: Something is growing or getting stronger.
To Provide an Example: A rising wave of cheers filled the gym. / There was a rising wave of fun during the parade.
Alternative Meaning: A rising wave of excitement came before the show. / A rising wave of clapping made her smile.
32. Ride the ripple
Meaning: Follow a small event and see where it goes.
To Provide an Example: She rode the ripple and joined the singing. / He rode the ripple of fun into a new game.
Alternative Meaning: They rode the ripple and made a new friend. / The ripple of laughter made us all giggle.
33. Send waves of joy
Meaning: Make people feel happy.
To Provide an Example: Her gift sent waves of joy to the whole class. / His joke sent waves of joy around the table.
Alternative Meaning: The story sent waves of joy through the room. / Their dancing sent waves of joy to everyone.
34. A wave of noise
Meaning: A loud sound that comes all at once.
To Provide an Example: A wave of noise filled the gym when the team won. / A wave of noise came from the playground.
Alternative Meaning: The movie ended with a wave of noise from the crowd. / We heard a wave of noise from the lunchroom.
35. Just a ripple
Meaning: Something small that isn’t a big deal.
To Provide an Example: The mess was just a ripple, and we cleaned it fast. / Her worry was just a ripple and went away.
Alternative Meaning: It was just a ripple, nothing to be upset about. / The small mistake was just a ripple in the day.
36. A wave of silence
Meaning: A sudden quiet moment.
To Provide an Example: A wave of silence came when the teacher walked in. / There was a wave of silence before the winner was named.
Alternative Meaning: After the bell, a wave of silence filled the room. / A wave of silence came after the loud song ended.
37. Surfer of life
Meaning: Someone who handles things calmly, like a surfer on waves.
To Provide an Example: She was a surfer of life, always calm during changes. / He was like a surfer of life, smiling even when plans changed.
Alternative Meaning: The surfer of life just goes with the flow. / Being a surfer of life means staying cool when things get busy.
38. The next wave
Meaning: Something new is coming soon.
To Provide an Example: The next wave of students came to the library. / We got ready for the next wave of kids in line.
Alternative Meaning: The next wave of games started after lunch. / A next wave of fun is coming tomorrow.
39. Let the wave pass
Meaning: Wait until a problem or strong feeling goes away.
To Provide an Example: He sat and let the wave of sadness pass. / She let the wave of anger pass before talking.
Alternative Meaning: It’s okay to sit quiet and let the wave pass. / I let the wave pass before I answered.
40. In a wave
Meaning: All together or at the same time.
To Provide an Example: The kids ran out in a wave when the bell rang. / Laughter came in a wave from the back of the room.
Alternative Meaning: Hugs came in a wave at the party. / Everyone cheered in a wave after the show.
41. Splash in the wave
Meaning: To jump into something fun or exciting.
To Provide an Example: He splashed in the wave by joining the dance. / She splashed in the wave of singing with her friends.
Alternative Meaning: They splashed in the wave of fun during the fair. / I splashed in the wave when the music started.
42. A friendly wave
Meaning: A kind greeting with your hand.
To Provide an Example: He gave the bus driver a friendly wave. / She gave her neighbor a friendly wave each morning.
Alternative Meaning: The mailman smiled and gave a friendly wave. / A friendly wave can make someone’s day better.
43. Wave off fear
Meaning: To stop feeling scared.
To Provide an Example: She waved off fear before jumping in the pool. / He waved off fear and stood up in front of the class.
Alternative Meaning: I waved off fear and tried something new. / The wave of fear went away when I saw my mom.
44. Like waves on a beach
Meaning: Something that keeps happening again and again.
To Provide an Example: The questions came like waves on a beach. / Laughter came like waves on a beach.
Alternative Meaning: The hugs came like waves on a beach. / Her silly jokes were like waves on a beach.
45. Wave of ideas
Meaning: Many new thoughts or plans.
To Provide an Example: He had a wave of ideas for his drawing. / She had a wave of ideas during reading time.
Alternative Meaning: A wave of ideas helped us build the tower. / My brain had a wave of ideas before bed.
46. Be the wave
Meaning: Be the one who starts something.
To Provide an Example: She was the wave of kindness at school. / He was the wave that made everyone laugh.
Alternative Meaning: Be the wave that brings smiles. / I want to be the wave that helps others.
47. Waves of wonder
Meaning: Feeling amazed or excited.
To Provide an Example: I felt waves of wonder at the museum. / He had waves of wonder while watching the rocket.
Alternative Meaning: The fireworks gave us waves of wonder. / She had waves of wonder reading the space book.
48. Behind the wave
Meaning: Trying to catch up or feeling slow.
To Provide an Example: I felt behind the wave on the math test. / He was behind the wave during the race.
Alternative Meaning: She felt behind the wave during the game. / They were behind the wave but caught up soon.
49. Rise like a wave
Meaning: To grow stronger or more confident.
To Provide an Example: He rose like a wave during the spelling bee. / She rose like a wave and shared her story.
Alternative Meaning: We rose like a wave and sang together. / The team rose like a wave and worked hard.
50. A wave of dreams
Meaning: A strong feeling of hopes or wishes.
To Provide an Example: I had a wave of dreams about summer camp. / He felt a wave of dreams after the movie.
Alternative Meaning: Her wave of dreams gave her courage. / A wave of dreams filled my heart that night.
Trials for Success: Idioms about Waves
- After winning the soccer game, the crowd cheered in a __________.
- When the school got new swings, it caused a big __________.
- At the end of the school year, we waved goodbye to the __________.
- During the fireworks show, I felt __________ of wonder.
- I felt a __________ of fear before my spelling test, but I still tried.
- The teacher __________ us over to sit on the rug.
- I smiled and gave a __________ to my neighbor.
- The music was so loud, it sent out a __________ of noise.
- After recess, we were full of __________ of energy.
- My idea was small, but it made a big __________ in class.
- It was quiet just before the bell rang, like the calm before the __________.
- When I helped clean up, it started a __________ of kindness.
- At the birthday party, we laughed in __________.
- The teacher waved me __________ when I had a question.
- I was nervous to start the new class, but I tried to __________ the wave.
Answer Key
- wave
- splash
- past
- waves
- wave
- waved
- friendly wave
- wave
- waves
- ripple
- wave
- wave
- waves
- over
- ride
Conclusion
Waves are more than water at the beach. They help us talk about feelings, actions, and changes in life. Idioms with waves make our words more fun and clear.
Now that you know some wave idioms, you can use them when you speak or write. It’s like giving your words a little splash of color. Keep learning, and you’ll find more ways to talk about your thoughts in smart and simple ways.
