Idioms/Nature

Idioms based on Nature and natural phenomena. Select an idiom for more details. Also try Nature Idioms Quiz.

a drop in the ocean British English

If an amount is a drop in the ocean, it's a very small portion of the amount that's needed.

a ray of sunshine

Something is a ray of sunshine if it brings happiness to someone.

a voice (crying) in the wilderness

You're a voice in the wilderness, or a voice crying in the wilderness, if you're expressing an unpopular opinion or insight.

answer the call of nature

If you answer the call of nature, you go to the toilet.

at sea | all at sea

If you're at sea, or all at sea, you're confused about something and not sure what to do.

beat around the bush | beat about the bush

If you beat around the bush, or beat about the bush, you don't say something directly, usually because you don't want to upset the person you're talking to.

can't see the forest for the trees American English

If you can't see the forest for the trees, you can't see the whole situation clearly because you're looking too closely at small details, or because you're too closely involved.

can't see the wood for the trees British English

If you can't see the wood for the trees, you can't see the whole situation clearly because you're looking too closely at small details, or because you're too closely involved.

down to earth

If someone is down to earth, they are practical and sensible.

go with the flow

If you go with the flow, you relax and go along with whatever is happening.

in deep water

If you're in deep water, you're in some sort of trouble or in a difficult situation.

make a mountain out of a molehill

If you make a mountain out of a molehill, you make a small problem seem to be a much bigger problem.

make hay while the sun shines

If you make hay while the sun shines, you make good use of the chance to do something while it lasts.

neck of the woods INFORMAL

A neck of the woods is a neighbourhood or a district, usually rural.

reach for the moon | reach for the stars

If you reach for the moon, or reach for the stars, you are aiming to achieve something great, or do something very challenging.

the tip of the iceberg

You can say something is the tip of the iceberg when it's just a small part of something much bigger.

under a cloud

If someone is under a cloud, they are suspected of having done something wrong.

under the weather

If you are under the weather, you're not feeling well.

virgin territory

You can say something is virgin territory if it's never been explored before or never been done before.

weather a storm

If you weather a storm, you survive a dangerous event or deal with a difficult situation.
Also try Nature Idioms Quiz.

Contributor: Matt Errey