Welcome to the hot summer days! As the longest season throughout the entire year, there are also lot of idioms related to summer. Let’s learn some of those and show off your English in front of your friends!
1. Dog days of summer
For many, the “dog days” may seem to be describing the hottest days when dogs would lie around the floor panting. In fact, the “dog days of summer” is used to refer to the devastatingly hot days. But it’s origin could be traced back to the ancient Greek Roman period. The dog days refer to Sirius, the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major, which means “the greatest dog”. The dog days appear when Sirius rises and sets with the sun. The Greek and Romans believed that it was Sirius which add extra heat to the summer and that was what made the hottest period of the year.
e.g., It’s scorching outside. We are well into the dog days of summer.
2. Take a shine to someone
You can say you have taken a shine to someone when you like that person at first sight.
e.g., Hey, don’t you think Athena is really a nice person? I took a shine to her.
3. A place in the sun
The literal meaning of this idiom would be a place under the sun. But this is not what it really means. The true meaning is a lucky place.
e.g., She certainly earned her place in the sun.
4. Ray of sunshine
Somone who makes others happy or brings hope, especially under difficult circumstances.
e.g., Her wife has provided him with a ray of sunshine after his dismissal from the company.
5. Walking on sunshine
It means to be extremely happy that you feel like you are walking on sunshine.
e.g., I was really walking on sunshine when I received the job offer.
6. To make hay while the sun shines
It means to take advantage of the situation that is favorable to them.
e.g., Make hay while the sun shines, or you’ll regret it 20 years later for not doing it today.
