Idioms are vibrant, expressive phrases that add a splash of color and excitement to our language, often carrying meanings far deeper than their literal words suggest. They’re like little linguistic treasures, helping us convey emotions, experiences, and ideas with flair and creativity. For anyone planning or dreaming about a vacation, idioms can perfectly capture the joy, relaxation, or even the unexpected hiccups that come with travel. These phrases are not only fun to learn but also incredibly useful for describing the ups and downs of a getaway, whether you’re lounging on a beach, exploring a bustling city, or navigating a travel mishap. Vacation-related idioms can inspire wanderlust, encourage resilience, and make your storytelling more engaging. In this comprehensive blog post, you’ll discover 60 popular idioms related to vacations, their meanings, and examples of how to use them in everyday conversations. Plus, we’ve included a practical exercise to help you practice these idioms and enrich your vocabulary. So, pack your bags and let’s embark on a linguistic journey through the world of vacation idioms!
Idioms for Vacation
1. Hit the road
Meaning: To begin a journey or trip.
In a Sentence: After weeks of planning our summer getaway, we finally packed the car and hit the road to the mountains.
Other Ways to Say: Start the journey, Get going
2. Off the beaten path
Meaning: To visit less popular or unexplored places.
In a Sentence: Instead of staying in the crowded tourist areas, we ventured off the beaten path and discovered a charming little village.
Other Ways to Say: Out of the way, Unexplored
3. Catch some rays
Meaning: To spend time in the sun, usually to get a tan.
In a Sentence: While vacationing in Hawaii, I spent the whole afternoon by the pool catching some rays and sipping a cool drink.
Other Ways to Say: Sunbathe, Soak up the sun
4. Let your hair down
Meaning: To relax and enjoy yourself freely.
In a Sentence: After months of stressful work, I went on a cruise to let my hair down and dance the night away.
Other Ways to Say: Unwind, Have fun
5. Pack light
Meaning: To bring only the essentials when traveling.
In a Sentence: Since we were only staying for a weekend, I decided to pack light and fit everything into a small carry-on bag.
Other Ways to Say: Travel light, Keep it minimal
6. Get away from it all
Meaning: To escape daily routines and responsibilities.
In a Sentence: We booked a cabin in the woods to get away from it all and enjoy some peace and quiet for a few days.
Other Ways to Say: Escape the grind, Take a break
7. On the road again
Meaning: To resume traveling after a break.
In a Sentence: After a relaxing stop in Paris, we were on the road again, heading to the French Riviera for the next leg of our trip.
Other Ways to Say: Back to traveling, Keep moving
8. Live out of a suitcase
Meaning: To travel frequently with minimal possessions.
In a Sentence: During our month-long European adventure, we lived out of a suitcase, hopping from one city to another.
Other Ways to Say: Travel minimally, Constantly on the move
9. Take the scenic route
Meaning: To choose a longer but more visually appealing path.
In a Sentence: Instead of rushing to our destination, we took the scenic route through the countryside, enjoying breathtaking views.
Other Ways to Say: Go the long way, Enjoy the journey
10. Recharge your batteries
Meaning: To rest and regain energy.
In a Sentence: A week at the beach resort helped me recharge my batteries before returning to my hectic work schedule.
Other Ways to Say: Refresh, Rejuvenate
11. In the middle of nowhere
Meaning: A remote or isolated location.
In a Sentence: Our camping site was in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by nothing but trees and starry skies.
Other Ways to Say: Far from civilization, Out in the sticks
12. Go with the flow
Meaning: To adapt to whatever happens without stress.
In a Sentence: When our flight got delayed, we decided to go with the flow and explore the airport’s shops and restaurants.
Other Ways to Say: Roll with it, Be flexible
13. Bite the bullet
Meaning: To face a difficult situation head-on.
In a Sentence: I wasn’t thrilled about the long flight, but I bit the bullet and boarded the plane for my dream vacation.
Other Ways to Say: Face it, Get it over with
14. A home away from home
Meaning: A place where you feel as comfortable as your own home.
In a Sentence: The cozy bed-and-breakfast we stayed at felt like a home away from home with its warm hospitality.
Other Ways to Say: Second home, Comfortable retreat
15. Jump on the bandwagon
Meaning: To join a popular trend or activity.
In a Sentence: Everyone was raving about the new island resort, so we jumped on the bandwagon and booked a stay.
Other Ways to Say: Follow the trend, Join the craze
16. Burn the candle at both ends
Meaning: To exhaust yourself by doing too much.
In a Sentence: I burned the candle at both ends during our city tour, sightseeing all day and partying all night.
Other Ways to Say: Overdo it, Push too hard
17. Leave no stone unturned
Meaning: To explore every possible option or place.
In a Sentence: While in Rome, we left no stone unturned, visiting every museum, café, and hidden alley we could find.
Other Ways to Say: Explore thoroughly, Check everything
18. Make a clean break
Meaning: To completely disconnect from routine or responsibilities.
In a Sentence: I turned off my phone and made a clean break from work to fully enjoy my tropical vacation.
Other Ways to Say: Cut ties, Disconnect
19. The time of your life
Meaning: An extremely enjoyable experience.
In a Sentence: Skydiving in New Zealand was the time of my life—I’ll never forget that adrenaline rush!
Other Ways to Say: Unforgettable experience, Best time ever
20. Get your feet wet
Meaning: To try something new for the first time.
In a Sentence: I’d never been snorkeling before, but I got my feet wet on the coral reef and loved it.
Other Ways to Say: Dip your toes in, Try it out
21. On cloud nine
Meaning: Extremely happy or excited.
In a Sentence: After arriving at the luxurious Maldives resort, I was on cloud nine, surrounded by turquoise waters.
Other Ways to Say: Over the moon, Thrilled
22. Take a rain check
Meaning: To politely decline or reschedule an invitation.
In a Sentence: I was too tired to join the group hike, so I took a rain check and stayed at the hotel.
Other Ways to Say: Postpone, Pass for now
23. Spill the beans
Meaning: To reveal a secret.
In a Sentence: Don’t spill the beans about our surprise beach party for Sarah’s birthday!
Other Ways to Say: Let it slip, Tell the secret
24. Keep your eyes peeled
Meaning: To stay alert and watchful.
In a Sentence: While hiking in the jungle, we kept our eyes peeled for exotic birds and wildlife.
Other Ways to Say: Stay vigilant, Watch closely
25. Under the weather
Meaning: Feeling sick or unwell.
In a Sentence: I caught a cold on the plane, so I spent the first day of vacation feeling under the weather.
Other Ways to Say: Not feeling well, Sick
26. A blessing in disguise
Meaning: Something bad that turns out to be good.
In a Sentence: Missing our train was a blessing in disguise because we found a quaint café to spend the day in.
Other Ways to Say: Hidden benefit, Unexpectedly good
27. Barking up the wrong tree
Meaning: To make a wrong assumption.
In a Sentence: If you think I forgot to book the hotel, you’re barking up the wrong tree—I confirmed it weeks ago.
Other Ways to Say: Mistaken, Wrong idea
28. Cost an arm and a leg
Meaning: Something very expensive.
In a Sentence: The guided tour to Machu Picchu cost an arm and a leg, but it was worth every penny.
Other Ways to Say: Super pricey, Costs a fortune
29. Don’t cry over spilled milk
Meaning: Don’t worry about things that have already happened.
In a Sentence: I lost my sunglasses on the trip, but I won’t cry over spilled milk—it’s just a small thing.
Other Ways to Say: Move on, Let it go
30. Go the extra mile
Meaning: To make extra effort to do something.
In a Sentence: The tour guide went the extra mile, sharing local secrets and ensuring we had an amazing experience.
Other Ways to Say: Do more than expected, Put in extra effort
31. Kill two birds with one stone
Meaning: To solve two problems with one action.
In a Sentence: We killed two birds with one stone by visiting the museum and completing our school project research.
Other Ways to Say: Accomplish two things, Be efficient
32. Break the ice
Meaning: To start a conversation in a relaxed way.
In a Sentence: At the resort, I told a funny travel story to break the ice with the other guests.
Other Ways to Say: Make things less awkward, Start chatting
33. Pull someone’s leg
Meaning: To joke or tease someone.
In a Sentence: He said the hotel was haunted, but he was just pulling my leg to scare me.
Other Ways to Say: Kid around, Joke
34. Let sleeping dogs lie
Meaning: To leave a situation alone to avoid trouble.
In a Sentence: We didn’t mention the delayed flight again and let sleeping dogs lie to keep the mood light.
Other Ways to Say: Leave it alone, Don’t stir things up
35. Two peas in a pod
Meaning: Two people who are very alike.
In a Sentence: My travel buddy and I are like two peas in a pod, always picking the same activities.
Other Ways to Say: Like twins, Perfect match
36. Hit the ground running
Meaning: To start something quickly and with enthusiasm.
In a Sentence: As soon as we arrived in Tokyo, we hit the ground running, exploring the vibrant streets.
Other Ways to Say: Dive in, Get started quickly
37. Cold feet
Meaning: Feeling nervous or uncertain about something.
In a Sentence: I got cold feet about bungee jumping, but my friends convinced me to try it.
Other Ways to Say: Feel nervous, Have second thoughts
38. Beat around the bush
Meaning: To avoid saying something directly.
In a Sentence: Don’t beat around the bush—just tell me if you want to change our travel plans.
Other Ways to Say: Be indirect, Avoid the point
39. Burn bridges
Meaning: To ruin relationships.
In a Sentence: I didn’t argue with the hotel staff about the mix-up so I wouldn’t burn bridges for future stays.
Other Ways to Say: Damage relationships, Ruin connections
40. Make a mountain out of a molehill
Meaning: To make a big deal out of something small.
In a Sentence: Forgetting the itinerary isn’t a big deal, so don’t make a mountain out of a molehill.
Other Ways to Say: Overreact, Blow things out of proportion
41. Keep your chin up
Meaning: Stay positive even when things are tough.
In a Sentence: Even when it rained all day, we kept our chins up and found fun indoor activities.
Other Ways to Say: Stay strong, Don’t give up
42. The ball is in your court
Meaning: It’s your turn to make a decision or take action.
In a Sentence: I’ve planned the flights; now the ball is in your court to pick the hotel.
Other Ways to Say: Your move, It’s up to you
43. Throw in the towel
Meaning: To give up or admit defeat.
In a Sentence: Despite the bad weather, we didn’t throw in the towel and still enjoyed our camping trip.
Other Ways to Say: Quit, Surrender
44. Add fuel to the fire
Meaning: To make a situation worse.
In a Sentence: Complaining about the delayed tour only added fuel to the fire and upset everyone more.
Other Ways to Say: Make it worse, Stir things up
45. A penny for your thoughts
Meaning: Asking someone what they are thinking.
In a Sentence: You’ve been quiet since we arrived at the beach—a penny for your thoughts?
Other Ways to Say: What’s on your mind? Tell me what you’re thinking
46. Smooth sailing
Meaning: An easy, trouble-free experience.
In a Sentence: Once we figured out the train schedule, the rest of our trip was smooth sailing.
Other Ways to Say: Easy going, No problems
47. Fish out of water
Meaning: Feeling uncomfortable in an unfamiliar situation.
In a Sentence: At the fancy resort, I felt like a fish out of water among all the high-end guests.
Other Ways to Say: Out of place, Uncomfortable
48. Kick back
Meaning: To relax completely.
In a Sentence: After a day of sightseeing, we kicked back at the hotel with a movie and snacks.
Other Ways to Say: Chill out, Take it easy
49. Run out of steam
Meaning: To lose energy or enthusiasm.
In a Sentence: By the third day of hiking, I ran out of steam and needed a rest day.
Other Ways to Say: Get tired, Lose momentum
50. Once in a blue moon
Meaning: Something that happens very rarely.
In a Sentence: We only get to go on a big family vacation once in a blue moon, so we make it special.
Other Ways to Say: Rarely, Hardly ever
51. Catch someone off guard
Meaning: To surprise someone unexpectedly.
In a Sentence: The sudden festival in the town caught us off guard, but it made our trip unforgettable.
Other Ways to Say: Surprise, Take by surprise
52. Get the ball rolling
Meaning: To start something.
In a Sentence: We got the ball rolling on our vacation by booking our flights six months in advance.
Other Ways to Say: Kick things off, Begin
53. In the same boat
Meaning: In the same situation as someone else.
In a Sentence: When our luggage got lost, we were all in the same boat, waiting for the airline to help.
Other Ways to Say: In the same situation, On the same page
54. Paddle your own canoe
Meaning: To be independent and self-reliant.
In a Sentence: On my solo trip, I learned to paddle my own canoe and navigate new cities confidently.
Other Ways to Say: Do it yourself, Be independent
55. Tip of the iceberg
Meaning: A small part of a much larger situation.
In a Sentence: The beautiful beach was just the tip of the iceberg—there was so much more to explore in the area.
Other Ways to Say: Just the beginning, Surface level
56. Up in the air
Meaning: Uncertain or undecided.
In a Sentence: Our travel plans are still up in the air because we haven’t chosen a destination yet.
Other Ways to Say: Not decided, Uncertain
57. When in Rome
Meaning: To adopt the customs or habits of a place you’re visiting.
In a Sentence: We ate pasta every day on our Italy trip because, when in Rome, you do as the Romans do!
Other Ways to Say: Follow local customs, Blend in
58. Bite off more than you can chew
Meaning: To take on more than you can handle.
In a Sentence: I bit off more than I could chew by planning a packed itinerary for our short trip.
Other Ways to Say: Overcommit, Take on too much
59. Make waves
Meaning: To cause a disturbance or create excitement.
In a Sentence: Our group made waves at the resort with our lively beach volleyball games.
Other Ways to Say: Stir things up, Cause a scene
60. See the world
Meaning: To travel and experience different cultures.
In a Sentence: My goal during my gap year is to see the world, visiting at least five continents.
Other Ways to Say: Travel globally, Explore the globe
Practical Exercise
Fill in the blanks:
- After months of saving, we finally _______ the road for our dream beach vacation.
- The resort was so cozy it felt like a _______ away from home.
- I was so tired after hiking that I just wanted to _______ back and relax by the pool.
- Visiting the hidden waterfall was an adventure _______ the beaten path.
- Our flight cancellation was a _______ in disguise because we explored a nearby town instead.
- By booking both the hotel and tour together, we _______ two birds with one stone.
- I was _______ cloud nine when I saw the stunning views from the mountain summit.
- The expensive cruise _______ an arm and a leg, but it was an unforgettable experience.
- We decided to _______ with the flow when our tour schedule changed unexpectedly.
- Don’t _______ a mountain out of a molehill just because we missed one attraction.
- The vibrant festival _______ us off guard, but it made our trip even more fun.
- To fully enjoy the trip, I made a _______ break from checking work emails.
Answers:
hit, home, kick, off, blessing, killed, on, cost, go, make, caught, clean
Conclusion
Idioms are a delightful way to spice up your conversations and share your vacation experiences with vivid, memorable expressions. They bring a sense of fun and creativity to storytelling, whether you’re describing a relaxing beach day, an adventurous hike, or an unexpected travel hiccup. By incorporating these vacation-related idioms into your vocabulary, you can make your travel tales more engaging and relatable, whether you’re chatting with friends, writing a travel journal, or posting about your adventures online.
Practice using these idioms in real-life scenarios, such as when planning your next trip, sharing stories with family, or even navigating travel challenges. Over time, they’ll become a natural part of how you express yourself, adding a touch of flair to your language. So, the next time you hit the road or catch some rays, sprinkle in a few idioms to make your vacation stories truly unforgettable!