Holiday rush 2023

It is the eve of the Lunar New Year holidays, also known as the Spring Festival. Chinese transport ministry said that more than 2 billion trips are expected in the weeks surrounding the holidays. Beijing’s central rail station has already been packed with passengers who are leaving the capital in recent days. People travel thousands of kilometers to visit their parents these days.

So, the season when people greet each other and wish each other well more often than usual continues. Different English-speaking countries use certain vocabulary, as well as expressions, and greetings for wishing each other a happy holiday. Usually students like to learn these English holiday expressions, idioms, and other common phrases. What’s more, tutors can make this into a productive lesson by teaching them when to capitalize holiday-specific terms.

If you have a multicultural class, let students compare English holiday idioms and festive expressions with what they say in their own languages. I hope you are ready to start teaching your students some fun holiday-related vocabulary and expressions. Let’s start right now!

1. The more the merrier

Meaning: the more people have gathered, the more enjoyable the event will be

Sarah: “Would you mind if I bring my colleagues along?” Bobby: “Not at all! The more the merrier!”

2. Be/feel stuffed

Meaning: to be/feel full after eating a heavy meal

No more turkey for me, thanks. I’m stuffed!

3. Deck the halls

Meaning: to decorate the inside of the rooms of your home for the holidays

This weekend I plan to deck the halls with lights, shiny tinsel, and mistletoe.

4. Snowed in

Meaning: unable to leave the house because there’s too much snow outside

My house is 30 kilometers from Quebec, so sometimes I'm snowed in for a week or so.

5. Get into the holiday spirit

Meaning: to feel joyful throughout the holiday season

Anna baked gingerbread cookies and put on some Christmas music to help her get into the holiday spirit.

6. Scrooge/Grinch

Meaning: a grumpy as well as unkind person who doesn’t like celebrating during the holidays

Mike wouldn’t even let me listen to some holiday rhymes. What a Scrooge!

7. Be there with bells on

Meaning: to be eager and at the same time to be more than happy to do something or to go somewhere

I asked her if she was coming to the party. She told me she’ll be there with bells on!

8. Ring in the New Year

Meaning: to celebrate the end of the previous year and to mark the beginning of the new one

My friends and I all rang in the New Year with a wild party at Sarah's house.

9. To take things easy

Meaning: to relax

This pretty traditional cottage gives guests the opportunity to simply sit back and take things easy.

10. Off the Beaten Track

Meaning: quiet and isolated, not visited by many tourist groups

My last holiday was brilliant. No internet or traffic jams or anything like that for a whole month. It was overwhelmingly off the beaten track.

11. Go Dutch

Meaning: to split the bill when everyone shares the cost equally

Andrew and I have decided to go Dutch on a subscription for this music streaming platform.

12. Pack light

Meaning: to travel with a small amount of luggage

To maneuver down Seoul’s crowded streets, I have decided to pack light by using only one backpack for my trip.