50 Idioms for Summer

Ready to spice up your summer conversations? Idioms for Summer bring the fun and excitement of the season right into your words. From beach days to backyard barbecues, summer is all about making memories, and what better way to capture that than with summer idioms? These lively summer phrases and playful summer slang can turn a simple chat into a burst of sunshine. Ever heard someone described as “cool as a cucumber”? That’s one of the many ways idioms for summer can brighten your talk.

As the sun blazes and the heat kicks in, phrases with summer help you express everything from a summer fling to a sun-soaked afternoon. Whether you’re talking about idioms about summer or just soaking in the season’s vibe, these colorful expressions bring warmth and fun to your language. So, why not let summer idioms give your words a little extra sparkle?

Idioms for Summer

1. Cool as a cucumber

Meaning: This idiom refers to someone who remains calm and collected, even when things are stressful or chaotic. It’s often used to describe a person who handles pressure with ease.
In a Sentence: Even though the temperatures soared, Tom stayed cool as a cucumber, never letting the heat get to him.
Other Ways to Say: Calm under pressure, Unflustered, Collected.

2. Dog days of summer

Meaning: The dog days of summer refer to the hottest part of the year, typically from late July to early August. It’s a time when the weather is scorching and often uncomfortable.
In a Sentence: During the dog days of summer, we retreat indoors to escape the blistering heat and enjoy some air conditioning.
Other Ways to Say: Midsummer heat, Sweltering days, Summer peak.

3. Beach bum

Meaning: Refers to someone who spends a lot of time at the beach, often enjoying the relaxed, carefree lifestyle associated with it.
In a Sentence: Sarah’s a true beach bum, spending every weekend by the ocean, soaking up the sun.
Other Ways to Say: Beach lover, Sun-seeker, Ocean enthusiast.

4. Catch some rays

Meaning: To spend time in the sun, usually to get a tan or simply enjoy the warmth.
In a Sentence: We went to the park to catch some rays and relax after a busy week.
Other Ways to Say: Soak up the sun, Sunbathe, Get some sunlight.

5. Drop like flies

Meaning: To describe people or things that fall, disappear, or die in large numbers, often unexpectedly.
In a Sentence: During the heatwave, the kids seemed to drop like flies, one by one, exhausted from the scorching temperatures.
Other Ways to Say: Drop out in droves, Fall quickly, Drop rapidly.

6. In hot water

Meaning: To be in trouble or facing difficulties, often due to one’s own actions.
In a Sentence: After forgetting his sunscreen, Jake found himself in hot water with a painful sunburn.
Other Ways to Say: In trouble, In a bind, In a jam.

7. Beat the heat

Meaning: To take action to avoid or cool off from the hot weather, usually by finding a way to stay comfortable during the summer’s high temperatures.
In a Sentence: We grabbed some cold drinks and went to the beach to beat the heat and enjoy the refreshing water.
Other Ways to Say: Stay cool, Escape the heat, Chill out.

8. Ray of sunshine

Meaning: A person or thing that brings happiness, warmth, or positivity to others, much like a burst of sunlight on a cloudy day.
In a Sentence: Even on the hottest days, his cheerful attitude was a true ray of sunshine for everyone around him.
Other Ways to Say: Bright spot, Beacon of happiness, Burst of joy.

9. Summer fling

Meaning: A short, casual romance or relationship that typically occurs during the summer, often carefree and temporary.
In a Sentence: Their summer fling was full of adventure, but they both knew it would end once the season was over.
Other Ways to Say: Short-term romance, Summer affair, Brief relationship.

10. High and dry

Meaning: To be left in a difficult or abandoned situation, often unexpectedly, without help or support.
In a Sentence: After her friend canceled at the last minute, she was left high and dry with no ride to the party.
Other Ways to Say: Abandoned, Stranded, Left in the lurch.

11. Out of the frying pan into the fire

Meaning: To move from one difficult or bad situation to an even worse one.
In a Sentence: First, the family lost power during the storm, and then, out of the frying pan into the fire, the roof started leaking.
Other Ways to Say: Into deeper trouble, Worse situation, From bad to worse.

12. On thin ice

Meaning: This idiom means being in a precarious or risky situation, where something bad could happen at any moment. It often refers to a situation that requires careful action.
In a Sentence: He was on thin ice after breaking the rules at work, and one more mistake could cost him his job.
Other Ways to Say: In danger, In a risky situation, Walking a tightrope.

13. Chasing rainbows

Meaning: This idiom refers to pursuing unrealistic or impossible dreams or goals, often leading to disappointment. It’s about striving for something that is out of reach.
In a Sentence: Karen was chasing rainbows when she tried to turn her hobby into a full-time job, knowing it wasn’t financially feasible.
Other Ways to Say: Foolish pursuit, Unrealistic dream, Pursuing the impossible.

14. Under the sun

Meaning: This phrase is used to refer to everything in existence, or the entire world. It’s often used to describe something that is all-encompassing.
In a Sentence: There’s nothing more beautiful than a sunset under the sun, with all its colors lighting up the sky.
Other Ways to Say: In the world, In existence, Everywhere.

15. Sunny disposition

Meaning: This idiom describes a person with a cheerful and optimistic attitude, always looking on the bright side of things.
In a Sentence: Even on rainy days, her sunny disposition brightens up the whole office and lifts everyone’s mood.
Other Ways to Say: Cheerful nature, Positive attitude, Bright personality.

16. Sun-soaked

Meaning: This idiom refers to something that has been exposed to and enjoyed the warmth of the sun, often used to describe a sunny location or experience.
In a Sentence: They spent the day lounging on the sun-soaked beach, enjoying the warmth and the sound of the waves.
Other Ways to Say: Sun-drenched, Bathed in sunlight, Sunny.

17. Heatwave

Meaning: A prolonged period of excessively hot weather, often above normal temperatures, making it uncomfortable to be outside.
In a Sentence: The heatwave this summer has made it impossible to go outside without feeling drenched in sweat.
Other Ways to Say: Hot spell, Scorching temperatures, Extreme heat.

18. Butterflies in one’s stomach

Meaning: This idiom describes the nervous feeling or excitement in your stomach, often experienced before a big event.
In a Sentence: Before the performance, she felt butterflies in her stomach, unsure of how the audience would react.
Other Ways to Say: Nervous excitement, Pre-performance jitters, Anxious feeling.

19. Keep one’s cool

Meaning: To stay calm and composed, especially in a stressful or heated situation.
In a Sentence: Even during the intense meeting, Sarah managed to keep her cool, handling every question with grace.
Other Ways to Say: Stay calm, Remain composed, Stay level-headed.

20. A breath of fresh air

Meaning: This idiom refers to something or someone that brings new, refreshing, or revitalizing energy, often after a period of monotony.
In a Sentence: After a long week of work, the weekend getaway was truly a breath of fresh air, helping her recharge.
Other Ways to Say: Refreshing change, Welcome relief, Revitalizing experience.

21. Hot under the collar

Meaning: This idiom means to be angry or upset, often to the point of showing frustration or irritation.
In a Sentence: He got hot under the collar when his coworkers didn’t follow through with their responsibilities.
Other Ways to Say: Annoyed, Furious, Upset.

22. Make hay while the sun shines

Meaning: This idiom encourages taking advantage of opportunities when they arise, especially during favorable conditions.
In a Sentence: Since the weather was perfect, we decided to make hay while the sun shines and have a picnic.
Other Ways to Say: Seize the moment, Take advantage of opportunity, Act while the conditions are right.

23. The dog days are over

Meaning: This idiom signifies the end of the hottest period of summer, often indicating relief from the intense heat.
In a Sentence: After weeks of sweltering heat, it was a relief to feel the cool breeze—the dog days are over.
Other Ways to Say: End of summer heat, Relief from the heat, Cool weather returns.

24. Summer blockbuster

Meaning: This term refers to a highly successful or popular movie released during the summer season, often generating big box office sales.
In a Sentence: The new superhero movie quickly became a summer blockbuster, attracting huge crowds to theaters across the country.
Other Ways to Say: Box office hit, Summer hit, Must-see movie.

Related Guide:

35 Idioms for Home

25. A fish out of water

Meaning: This idiom describes someone who feels uncomfortable or out of place in a new or unfamiliar situation.
In a Sentence: When Mark joined the dance class, he felt like a fish out of water, unsure of the moves.
Other Ways to Say: Out of one’s element, Uncomfortable, Out of place.

26. Make waves

Meaning: This idiom means to cause a stir, create a noticeable impact, or bring attention to something, often disrupting the norm.
In a Sentence: Her bold decision to change the company’s policy definitely made waves in the office, sparking many discussions.
Other Ways to Say: Cause a stir, Create a buzz, Shake things up.

27. Water under the bridge

Meaning: This idiom refers to past events or issues that are no longer important or relevant, often because they have been forgiven or forgotten.
In a Sentence: We had our disagreements, but it’s all water under the bridge now, and we’re getting along perfectly.
Other Ways to Say: Forgotten issue, Past conflict, No longer a problem.

28. In the swim

Meaning: This idiom means to be actively involved in something or to be part of a particular group or activity.
In a Sentence: She’s always in the swim of things at work, staying updated on every project and meeting.
Other Ways to Say: Actively involved, In the loop, Engaged.

29. Turn up the heat

Meaning: This idiom means to increase the pressure, intensity, or difficulty of a situation, often making it more challenging.
In a Sentence: The competition is about to turn up the heat, as the final round of auditions is just around the corner.
Other Ways to Say: Raise the stakes, Increase the intensity, Intensify the situation.

30. Sunkissed

Meaning: This idiom describes the warm, glowing effect of sunlight on someone’s skin, often used to describe a tan or a warm day.
In a Sentence: After a day at the beach, she looked beautifully sunkissed, with a golden glow on her skin.
Other Ways to Say: Sunbathed, Sunlit, Golden glow.

31. A hot potato

Meaning: This idiom refers to a difficult or controversial issue that is hard to deal with or handle.
In a Sentence: The issue of the new policy became a hot potato, with everyone avoiding taking responsibility for it.
Other Ways to Say: Sensitive topic, Controversial matter, Uncomfortable issue.

32. Take a dip

Meaning: This idiom means to go for a short swim, typically in a pool, lake, or the ocean.
In a Sentence: On the hot afternoon, we decided to take a dip in the pool to cool off.
Other Ways to Say: Go swimming, Take a swim, Jump in the water.

33. Sweat it out

Meaning: This idiom means to endure something difficult or uncomfortable, often through physical exertion or heat.
In a Sentence: We had to sweat it out under the sun during the soccer game, but the victory made it worth it.
Other Ways to Say: Tough it out, Endure the heat, Bear the discomfort.

34. Melt away

Meaning: This idiom refers to something disappearing or fading gradually, often used to describe stress or discomfort vanishing.
In a Sentence: The tension in the room seemed to melt away after they solved the problem with a quick discussion.
Other Ways to Say: Fade away, Dissipate, Vanish.

35. Summer breeze

Meaning: This idiom describes a light, pleasant wind, often associated with warm and relaxing summer days.
In a Sentence: We sat on the porch, enjoying the summer breeze as the sun set over the horizon.
Other Ways to Say: Gentle wind, Soft breeze, Warm wind.

36. Sun hat

Meaning: This idiom refers to a wide-brimmed hat worn to protect from the sun, often a summer accessory for outdoor activities.
In a Sentence: She wore her sun hat to the beach to keep her face shaded from the intense sun.
Other Ways to Say: Sun protection hat, Wide-brimmed hat, Summer hat.

37. Summer camp

Meaning: This idiom refers to a recreational camp, typically for children or teenagers, during the summer months, focused on outdoor activities.
In a Sentence: Every summer, the kids look forward to summer camp, where they enjoy hiking, swimming, and making new friends.
Other Ways to Say: Camp session, Outdoor adventure camp, Youth camp.

38. Beat the heat

Meaning: This idiom means to find ways to stay cool or endure the hot summer weather, often by taking specific actions.
In a Sentence: To beat the heat, we stayed indoors all afternoon, enjoying ice cream and air conditioning.
Other Ways to Say: Cool off, Stay cool, Escape the heat.

39. Endless summer

Meaning: This idiom describes a period of time when the warmth and fun of summer seem to last forever, often associated with a carefree vibe.
In a Sentence: We spent the whole season at the beach, making it feel like an endless summer that never ended.
Other Ways to Say: Perpetual summer, Forever summer, Never-ending summer.

40. Summer solstice

Meaning: This idiom refers to the longest day of the year, marking the official start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, usually around June 21st.
In a Sentence: On the summer solstice, we celebrated with a bonfire, enjoying the longest day of the year.
Other Ways to Say: Midsummer, Solstice day, Longest day.

41. Picnic

Meaning: This idiom refers to an outdoor meal, usually enjoyed on a warm day in a park or at the beach.
In a Sentence: We packed sandwiches and drinks for a lovely picnic by the lake.
Other Ways to Say: Outdoor meal, Al fresco dining, Lunch in the park.

42. Lifeguard

Meaning: This idiom refers to a trained professional who watches over swimmers and ensures safety at beaches or pools.
In a Sentence: The lifeguard blew his whistle when someone struggled in the water, ensuring everyone’s safety.
Other Ways to Say: Pool attendant, Beach guard, Rescue professional.

43. Ice cream

Meaning: This idiom is used to refer to the popular cold dessert, often associated with cooling off during hot summer days.
In a Sentence: We stopped for ice cream after our swim, enjoying the sweet treat in the summer heat.
Other Ways to Say: Frozen treat, Gelato, Sorbet.

44. Swimming pool

Meaning: This idiom refers to a man-made pool filled with water, used for swimming and cooling off during the summer.
In a Sentence: We spent the afternoon in the swimming pool, playing games and splashing around.
Other Ways to Say: Pool, Backyard pool, Water oasis.

45. Sunscreen

Meaning: This idiom refers to a lotion or spray applied to protect skin from sunburn and harmful UV rays.
In a Sentence: Don’t forget to apply sunscreen before you go to the beach to protect your skin.
Other Ways to Say: Sunblock, SPF lotion, Sun protection.

46. Summer party

Meaning: This idiom refers to a gathering or celebration held during the summer, typically with outdoor activities, food, and music.
In a Sentence: We had a fantastic summer party with barbecues, music, and games all night long.
Other Ways to Say: Summer bash, Beach party, Warm-weather gathering.

47. Sun kissed

Meaning: This idiom describes someone or something that has been lightly tanned or touched by the sun, often in a pleasant way.
In a Sentence: After our beach trip, my skin looked sun-kissed with a golden glow.
Other Ways to Say: Bronzed, Sunlit, Tanned.

48. Sunlight

Meaning: This idiom refers to the light or rays from the sun, often symbolizing warmth or positivity.
In a Sentence: We sat outside, soaking up the sunlight while sipping our cold drinks.
Other Ways to Say: Sunshine, Daylight, Sunbeams.

49. Tanning

Meaning: This idiom refers to the process of getting a darker skin tone by being exposed to the sun, often for cosmetic purposes.
In a Sentence: She spent the afternoon tanning by the pool, enjoying the warm rays.
Other Ways to Say: Sunbathing, Getting a tan, Bronze.

50. Outdoor activities

Meaning: This idiom refers to recreational activities done outdoors, such as hiking, swimming, or playing sports, especially in the summer.
In a Sentence: Outdoor activities like hiking and biking are perfect for enjoying the summer weather.
Other Ways to Say: Outdoor sports, Recreational activities, Fresh-air fun.

FAQ’s 

What is the idiom for summertime?

Idioms for summer like “dog days of summer” capture the hot, lazy days of the season when everything slows down and the heat takes over.

What is the idiom for summer sun?

An example of idioms for summer related to the sun is “catch some rays,” meaning to enjoy the sunlight or soak up the sun’s warmth.

What is a phrase for summer?

A common summer phrase is “sunkissed,” which describes the golden, warm glow you get after spending time under the sun during the summer months.

What is the idiom based on the summer season?

One popular idiom for summer is “make hay while the sun shines,” meaning to take advantage of good opportunities while they last, especially during the summer.

What is the idiom for hot weather?

Idioms for summer like “in hot water” refer to being in trouble, but can also simply describe the uncomfortable effects of scorching summer heat.

Conclusion

Idioms for Summer bring a fresh and fun vibe to your conversations. Whether you’re chilling at the beach or enjoying a summer festival, these summer idioms help capture the essence of the season. They make talking about warm days and sunny afternoons more colorful. Using a summer phrase like “beat the heat” or “catch some rays” instantly paints a picture of summer fun.

There are so many summer slang expressions and phrases with summer to use. They can describe your mood, your plans, or even the hot weather! From idioms about summer like “dog days of summer” to the carefree vibe of a summer fling, these expressions let you add some flair to your language. So, next time you’re chatting about summer, try out some idioms for summer. They’re the perfect way to bring the sunshine into your words!