Idioms Reading Comprehension

Figurative Language: Summer Idioms to Enrich Your Expressions

Summer Idioms

  1. Catch some rays- an idiom that comes from the surfer culture. To go outside and enjoy the sunny day.  After being cooped up inside, I’m looking forward to riding my bike and catching some rays.
  2. Soak up the sun-to enjoy the sunshine.  Children need to go outside and soak up the sun.
  3. Come rain or shine-no matter what, whatever happens nothing will stop you.  The postman delivers the mail come rain or shine.
  4. Dog days of summer–from July 3 to August 11 this idiom is based on Sirius, the dog star. The ancient Romans believed that the star gave off heat and caused  the sultry and unbearably hot days of the summer. You’ll also hear a reference to dog days. During the dog days of summer, we make sure to stay hydrated.
  5. Under the sun-this idiom references the large number of anything that exists on earth “under the sun”. What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 1:9)
  6. A place in the sun-is to have a successful or favorable position. After many years of struggling as a writer, Leon finally found his place in the sun.
  7. A ray of sunshine-a person or thing that brings you happiness. My grandchild is a little ray of sunshine.
  8. Make hay while the sun shines- to make the most of a favorable situation.  This idiom is very old, dating back to Medieval times. Rain would often ruin the process of making hay. So, farmers had no choice but to make hay when the sun was shining.​
  9. Take a shine to someone/something-to begin to like someone or something. After getting to know him, Sheila took a shine to her new boss.
  10. One swallow doesn’t make a summer–means that you cannot rely on a situation that is working out. Just because it’s going well or has been good, it doesn’t mean that that streak will continue. Don’t rest on your laurels and think everything will go your way. One swallow doesn’t make a summer. One swallow does not make a summer, neither does one fine day; similarly one day or brief time of happiness does not make a person entirely happy.”
  11. To shine someone on–to deceive someone on. Rick told me he would pay back the loan, but he shined me on and never did.

Summer Idioms Reading Passage

I’ve worked so hard to get this promotion that I feel like I’ve finally found my place in the sun. The new boss took a shine to me and gave me this wonderful opportunity. I know, however, that one swallow doesn’t make a summer. I have to continue to work hard and show that I’m worthy of the promotion.

I have to make hay while the sun shines.I wouldn’t want my boss to think that I shined him on and am not qualified for the job. These are the dog days of summer and business is slow so I have to hustle and secure some new accounts. I’ll do everything under the sun to ensure I bring in new clients.

Once I prove myself, I’ll take a vacation. Come rain or shine, I’ll go where the sun is shining and the warm winds are blowing. Knowing that I’ll be on a plane to a tropical island where I can catch some rays and soak up the sun is the little ray of sunshine that keeps me motivated.

File name : Summer-Idioms-Figurative-Language.pdf

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