Spring is in the air!

While daily temperatures are warming up, we all have got a spring in our steps and a couple of English idioms that are related to springtime came to mind!

Spring is the season of various activities and rapid growth. The weather warms up. Trees and shrubs begin to grow new tender leaves again. In some months colorful flowers will start to bloom. The days are getting longer, the nights are getting shorter, most of us feel happier and as a result more energized. It is a time that has inspired many English idioms.

Be sure to find various English idioms about every season. Yet, spring is the most generous one when we speak about English sayings and idioms. Most of them are related to spring, mirroring the energetic and growing nature of springtime. They say that one of the best ways to remember English idioms is to put them into categories. So, here are 10 English idioms which are inspired by spring. I am sure once you have heard of any of them.

Spring into Actions - This English idiomatic expression is used when something or someone is quiet and calm then suddenly becomes active and starts moving or working. It is done quickly and often with energy or force. For example: “The lifesaver was ready to spring into action at once as he noticed somebody drowning”; or “Predators often watch their prey silently. Wild beasts can spring into action immediately.”

No spring chicken - When we call someone a spring chicken it means they are young. We underline their youthfulness and full of energy mood just like the season implies. On the other hand, saying that someone is no “spring chicken” emphasizes that they are not young anymore, and their abilities might show this. In other occasions it is used to underline that although someone is not young, they are still capable. For example: “Tim is no spring chicken. Yet, he can still swim as fast as people half his age”; or “He looks pretty good taking into account he is no spring chicken”.

A spring in someone’s step - This English idiom is related to the way someone walks when he or she is happy and full of energy. Like a spring, they keep bouncing off the ground. It often shows that someone is feeling good. For example: “Mike could tell John got hired for the new job because John walked out of the office with spring in his step”; or “She had a spring in her step. The thing was that she had won the lottery!”.

To spring to mind - When something suddenly comes to your thoughts. Or you on the spot think of someone or something. I hope that as soon as someone mentions spring, all these brilliant English idioms will spring to your mind! For example: “When one speaks of Spain, I must admit that red dry wine and Mediterranean food springs to my mind”; or “Say the word “London” and sights of the Piccadilly Circus and British Parliament spring to mind”.

To spring to life - To start moving suddenly, to become very active or busy. For example: “The city is quiet in the morning, but it suddenly springs to life around 7 o’clock when the shops and marketplaces open”; or “The clubbing scene is supposed to spring to life after 11 o’clock”.

To spring out of something - The meaning is to jump out of something, or jump out at someone. For example: “He often wakes up in a great mood. He has a habit to spring out of bed every morning!”; or “A grasshopper sprang out at Mary when she was watering the plants in the garden”.

To spring something on someone - It is used when one shares news or an announcement on somebody without any warning or context. You just say something unexpected suddenly. Using this very idiom implies that it would be better to have a warning beforehand. For example: “A good manager tries to keep the employees informed of decisions along the way and does not just spring it on them all of a sudden one day”.

To be full of the joys of spring - It is a common British idiom used to say that someone is very lively, jolly and cheerful. For example: “I wish I understood her ability to be full of the joys of spring at 6 a.m. on a gray Monday morning!”

Spring cleaning - The process of thorough cleaning a place, especially in springtime. For example: “Ann was 100 percent sure that on Sunday she would start spring cleaning. Time has come”.

Spring fever - Spring fever is considered to be mentioned to reflect any change in one’s mood or behavior which is experienced with the beginning of spring. Usually a light feeling of restlessness and excitement as spring is coming, and the weather is getting warmer. For example: “John, let’s just stop and think it over. It looks like you have spring fever”.

Want to learn more idioms? There is a way English Idioms of Dictionary.