Holiday idioms

December is here and so is my first blog post.

2013 ends and this little language kitchen, hopefully, begins.

What I will share in this blog is my love for the English language, literature and culture, my ideas and experiences, some random thoughts and information, and I will help you, English Language Learners (and Teachers), enjoy your language journey.

In the spirit of the upcoming festive season, let's see what idiomatic expressions we can use when referring to holidays.

1. A change is as good as a rest {UK saying} - you can get as much good from changing the work you do as from having a rest.
'Are you having a holiday this year, Jenny?'
- 'I'm going to look after my sister's children for a week. It's not exactly a holiday but you know what they say - a change is as good as a rest.'

2. Have a whale of a time {informal}- to enjoy yourself very much.
'You've been on a skiing holiday, haven't you? What was it like?'
- 'Yes, I went with some friends. It was great. We had a whale of a time.'

3. Everything but/except the kitchen sink {humorous}- a much larger number of things than is necessary.
'Are you sure everything's in the cases?'
-'Yes, positive. We've packed everything except the kitchen sink.'

4. There's no place like home - your home is a special place.
'Are you glad to be back?'
-'Very much! We had a wonderful holiday, but you know what they say - There's no place like home.

5. Home from home {UK}; Home away from home {US}- a place where you feel as comfortable as you do in your own home.
'Did you stay in a hotel or an apartment?'
-'An apartment. It had everything - fridge, microwave, LED TV, even a washing machine. It was like home from home.'

6. Travel light - to make a journey without taking a lot of heavy things with you.
'Would you like to borrow my suitcase or have you got one of your own?'
-'It' OK, thanks. I don't need it. I always travel light.'

7. Just what the doctor ordered - exactly what is wanted or needed.
'Welcome back, Peter. You look well. Did you have a good time?'
- 'Fantastic. Sun, sea and excellent food. It was just what the doctor ordered.'

8. Recharge your batteries - to have a period of rest and relaxation so that you feel energetic again.
'But there's nothing to do in the middle of the forest! How will you fill your days?'
-'You don't go to Sweden for a wild time! We're going to recharge our batteries.'

9. Get away from it all - to go somewhere completely different from what is usual.
'When are off on holiday?'
- 'Tomorrow. I can't wait. I'm really looking forward to getting away from it all.'

10. (In) the middle of nowhere {informal, disapproving} - describes a place far away from any towns and cities and where few people live.
'Where's this cottage you're renting in Switzerland?'
-'Oh, it's miles from anywhere in the middle of nowhere.'

11. Short break - a period of time devoted to pleasure and rest, especially one with pay granted to an employee.
'Did I hear you were off on holiday next week?'
-'Yes, we're just having a short break. I'm back in again on Thursday.'


12. Watch the world go by - to look at people as they go past.
'Have you been to London?'
-'Yes, I love London. I love sitting in a cafe watching the world go by.'

13. The time of your life - an extremely enjoyable experience.
'How was your holiday, Jane?'
-'Fabulous! We had the time of our lives.'

14. Let your hair down {old-fashioned, informal}- to allow yourself to behave much more freely than usual and enjoy yourself.
'Why do you always go to Ios?'
-'You've never been? It's the best place to really let your hair down.'

15. Make a nice change - we often use this expression when talking about something pleasant that we don't often do.
'You normally go to Sarti in the summer, don't you?'
-'Yes, but this year we're going cycling in the Alps. It'll make a nice change.'

16. Off the beaten track {US also off the beaten path}- in a place where few people go, far from any main roads and towns.
'The best thing about the town was it was so quiet. We were the only tourists.'
-'Yes, I'm like you. I prefer places off the beaten track.'