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Christmas Idioms
What is an Idiom? An Idiom is a phrase whose meaning cannot be deduced by the literal translation of the individual group of words. The ones we have sourced all have a festive twist!
Here’s a list of Christmas Idioms, catchy taglines and Popular Short Phrases that are all Christmas themed.
A Gift that Keeps on Giving
What does the gift that keeps on giving mean?
The idiom ‘the gift that keeps on giving’ is usually an item gifted to a person which has continuing consequences. Some people are also referred to as gifts that keep on giving when they continue to impact someone’s life (usually negatively).
Example: My ex’s debts are still rolling in years later, he really is the gift that keeps on giving!
Presence over Presents
What does presence over presents tree mean?
The idiom ‘presence over presents’ is the gift of giving your time and attention to loved ones over expensive gifts. Time with friends and family is priceless.
Example: I’m skint this year so won’t be buying gifts, but I will be visitng everyone, for me it’s presence over presents.
Lit up like a Christmas Tree
What does lit up like a Christmas tree mean?
The idiom ‘lit up like a Christmas tree’ can be used to describe a facial expression of sudden happiness or an item that is covered in or decorated with bright lights.
Example: When the love of his life walked into the room, his face ‘lit up like a Christmas tree’
Eat Drink and Be Merry
What does eat, drink and be merry mean?
The Idiom ‘Eat, Drink & Be Merry’ is derived from a passage in the bible from 1 Corinthians 15:32. The full phrase is’ Let us eat drink and be merry for tomorrow we die’.
This means eat as much as you like, drink as much as you like and enjoy the moment because it could be your last chance.
Example: Thanks for coming to this party, please ‘Eat, Drink and be Merry’
Good Things Come in Small Packages
What does good things come in small packages mean?
The idiom ‘Good things come in small packages’ means that the size of something does not always properly indicate the item’s value inside. This idiom is often used to describe petite or short people.
Example: I had a beautiful pair of diamond earrings for Christmas, It’s true when they say good things come in small packages.
Christmas Comes but Once a Year
What does Christmas comes but once a year mean?
The Idiom ‘Christmas comes but once a year’ is a phrase that is often used to defend the over-the-top celebrations of Christmas, on the basis that Christmas only happens once a year, so should be enjoyed to the fullest.
Example: I know I go way over the top, but as the saying goes,Christmas comes but once a year
Deck the Halls
What does deck the halls mean?
The Idiom ‘Deck the Halls’ is a phrase used to state that someone is decorating their home with Christmas decorations. Deck is an abbreviation of Decraote (English) and to cover (Decken in Middle Dutch)
The phrase became popular from the traditional Christmas carol of the same name.
Example: Go up in the attic and bring down the Christmas decorations, it’s time to deck the halls
Left out in the Cold
What does left out in the cold mean?
The idiom ‘Left out in the cold’ refers to being excluded or left out of a situation like you’re worthless.
Example: All my friends have gone to a Christmas party tonight, and I have been left out in the cold
Like Turkeys Voting for Christmas
What does like Turkeys voting for Christmas mean?
The Idiom ‘Like Turkeys voting for Christmas’ is about people who choose or accept a situation that is not in their best interest or will directly harm them. Turkeys are mass slaughtered for Christmas meals, so would vote to end Christmas if given the chance.
Example: Why would you willingly put yourself in such a dangerous position? That’s ‘Like Turkeys Voting for Christmas’
White Christmas
What does white Christmas mean?
The Idiom White Christmas’ comes primarily from the 1942 Irving Berlin song of the same name, where there is heavy snowfall or snow-covered ground on Christmas Day
Example I hope it snows this year because I’m dreaming of a white Christmas
Trim the Tree
What does trim the tree mean?
The Idiom ‘trim the tree’ in the context of Christmas means to decorate the tree. It seems an odd verb to use, because “trim” usually means to cut or take material away, but in this context, trim is simply short for trimmings.
Example: Pass the box of decorations because I’m going to trim the tree
The More, The Merrier
What does the more the merrier mean?
The Idiom ‘the more the merrier’ means the more people or objects there are, the better a situation will be.
Example: Can I invite my friend to the party as well? Yes of course, the more the merrier
Christmas Came Early
What does Christmas Came Early mean?
The idiom ‘Christmas came early’ is when something surprising but very welcomed happens, often used when given gifts before the Christmas period.
Example: I had an unexpected windfall today, it’s like Christmas came early
All my Christmases Have Come at Once
What does all my Christmases have come at once mean?
The Idiom ‘all my Christmases have come at ones’ is used to express a moment when all of one’s desires or dreams are fulfilled simultaneously.
Example: I just won the lottery, it’s like all my Christmases have come at once
Be There with Bells on
What does be there with bells on mean?
The Idiom ‘be there with bells on’ refers to attending something with great eagerness, excitement, and enthusiasm and dressed up to the nines. A person who is said to turn up with bells on will be noticed.
Example: Don’t forget the party is fancy dress! Oh don’t worry I’ll be there will bells on
Home for the Holidays
What does home for the holidays mean?
Home for the holidays means to be in or return home to your house or the place you grew up for the Christmas Period.
Example: Working away is hard but I always make sure I am home for the holidays
Idioms Related to Winter
Skating on Thin Ice
Snowball Effect
A Snowball Chance in Hell
Snowed Under
Cold Wave /Snap /Spell
Dead of Winter
Put Something on Ice
Out Cold
We hope you enjoyed this list of Christmas Idioms, if you know of any others you think should be added to this list, please let us know in the comments below…
