English Idioms about Fall
The time has come for Americans to kiss summer goodbye and welcome fall (also known as autumn). For most people, especially those living in the north or northeast part of the country, fall means cool evenings, pumpkin spice lattes, apple and pumpkin picking, but above all, beautiful fall foliage! Foliage is what we call it when the leaves on the trees change from green to beautiful shades of orange and red. A popular American hobby is to visit states such as Michigan, Vermont or Maine to “peep” (or view) the foliage!
Read on for idioms that relate to fall!
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree
If a child has very similar traits or characteristics to their parents, we say that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. The apple represents the child, and the tree is a symbol for their parents.
Other common expressions with the same meaning are a chip off the old block, or like father, like son.
Examples
Even at a young age, Brandon's son is great at soccer, and seems to have inhereted his father's athetlic abilities. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, I guess!
Just look at all that curly hair. It's just like your mothers! The apple doesn't fall far from the tree!
I've tried to change my ways, but I'm as stubborn as my mom. I think what they say is true, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
Turn over a new leaf
When someone decides to make a big life change, and start acting in a better way, you can say that they are turning over a new leaf.
Examples
Smoking is a bad habit that Jeff had been trying to break for years. He finally decided to turn over a new leaf and stop smoking for good when his wife became pregnant!
My boss and I could never agree on anything but we finally had a big discussion and developed a plan to work better together. I am hopeful that we are both turning over new leaves!
Last year, Casey got in trouble constantly at school for missing classes and not doing her homework. This year, though, she seems to really have turned over a new leaf! and hasn't had any problems!
Apple of MY eye
The apple of my eye is an expression that we use to describe someone or something that we love, or are especially proud of.
Mom would never admit it, but out of my five siblings, I'm truly the apple of her eye.
As a math teacher, Mrs. Temple isn't supposed to choose a favorite student, but Kat is so bright and eager when the rest of the class is half asleep, that she is the apple of Mrs. Temple's eye.
My dog finished his obedience classes, and came in first place! I know he's just a dog, but he's the apple of my eye!
squirrel away
If you secretly save something to use in the future, we can say that you squirrel it away.
Squirrel squirreling away a peanut! 🐿🥜
We use this expression because squirrels are known for hiding nuts and other food to eat during the winter!
Examples
Julia loves Halloween candy so much that she wanted to make it last as long as possible, so she squirreled away some of her favorite candy bars to eat the next month.
It's hard for me to save money, but I really wanted to buy a new computer, so I forced myself to squirrel some money away and eventually I could afford my computer!
Jill's roommate was always eating her food without her permsission, so she squirreled away her favorite food in the back of the refrigerator.
Go out on a limb
To go out on a limb means to take a risk, and put yourself in a vulnerable situation. This is another one of those great visual idioms, because you can imagine the risk someone is taking of falling of they go far out on a limb, or branch, of a tree.
This panda went out on a limb but it didn’t end very well…
Examples
I really went out on a limb when I recommended Andrea for a job at my company, so when she missed a week of work, it made me look very bad!
Brenda decided to go out on a limb and ask Anthony on a date. She was so relieved when he said yes!
Alexa went out on a limb and proposed a new idea at work. Her team knew that she had the facts to back up her proposal, so luckily, they supported her.
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