Thanksgiving is a special time of year when families gather to celebrate and give thanks. It’s a holiday filled with traditions, food, and fun moments. In many cultures, expressing gratitude is a key part of Thanksgiving. One of the ways people do this is through saying things that show how thankful they are. Some of these sayings are idioms, which are phrases that don’t mean exactly what the words say. Instead, they have a deeper meaning that makes them more interesting.
Idioms related to Thanksgiving can make conversations more colorful and engaging. These idioms often reflect the warmth and happiness of the season. Whether it’s about sharing food or appreciating loved ones, these expressions help us talk about Thanksgiving in creative ways. Let’s explore some common idioms you might hear during this time of year!
Idioms about Thanksgiving
1. Counting your blessings
Meaning: To think about the good things you have in life.
Example: On Thanksgiving, we all sat around the table, counting our blessings. / After a hard year, she smiled, counting her blessings with her family.
Put Differently: We remember all the good things in our lives. / He felt happy when he started thinking about everything he’s grateful for.
2. A piece of the pie
Meaning: Getting a fair share of something.
Example: Everyone got a piece of the pie when it was time to split the food. / He helped out in the kitchen and got his piece of the pie when we ate.
Put Differently: Everyone got a part of what was there. / She worked hard and got her share of the fun.
3. Stuffed to the gills
Meaning: To eat a lot and feel very full.
Example: After dinner, we were all stuffed to the gills with turkey and mashed potatoes. / He felt stuffed to the gills after enjoying three servings of pumpkin pie.
Put Differently: We were so full from eating. / I couldn’t eat another bite; I was stuffed to the gills.
4. Give thanks
Meaning: To express gratitude or appreciation.
Example: On Thanksgiving, we give thanks for everything we have. / Before eating, we give thanks for the food and family.
Put Differently: We say thank you for all the good things. / Let’s show our thanks before we eat.
5. Bring something to the table
Meaning: To contribute something useful or valuable.
Example: She really brought something to the table by helping with the decorations. / At Thanksgiving, everyone brought something to the table, from food to games.
Put Differently: She added something special to the celebration. / Everyone had something to share for dinner.
6. Turkey day
Meaning: A fun way to say Thanksgiving Day.
Example: We always look forward to Turkey Day every year. / Turkey Day is my favorite holiday because of the big meal.
Put Differently: Thanksgiving Day is all about the turkey. / It’s Turkey Day, and we’re having the best feast!
7. Break bread
Meaning: To eat a meal, often with others.
Example: We always break bread with family on Thanksgiving. / It was nice to break bread together after a long day of work.
Put Differently: We share a meal together. / Breaking bread with family is always special.
8. To feast your eyes on
Meaning: To look at something with great pleasure.
Example: We feasted our eyes on the delicious Thanksgiving dinner spread out on the table. / The beautiful fall decorations made everyone feast their eyes on them.
Put Differently: We enjoyed looking at the food. / He couldn’t wait to feast his eyes on the delicious meal.
9. Pass the gravy
Meaning: To pass something around, especially in a meal setting.
Example: At Thanksgiving, we all take turns to pass the gravy around the table. / She passed the gravy to Grandpa before getting her own.
Put Differently: We share the food at the table. / He passed the gravy so everyone could have some.
10. Leftovers
Meaning: The food remaining after a meal, often saved for later.
Example: We ate the leftovers the next day for lunch. / There were so many leftovers from Thanksgiving dinner!
Put Differently: The food we didn’t finish gets saved for later. / We enjoyed the leftovers for days after the meal.
11. Put all your eggs in one basket
Meaning: To rely on one thing or one person for everything.
Example: Don’t put all your eggs in one basket by hoping just for the turkey to be perfect. / He put all his eggs in one basket by bringing only one dish to Thanksgiving.
Put Differently: Don’t depend on just one thing. / It’s not smart to only hope for one thing to go right.
12. A taste of your own medicine
Meaning: To experience something bad that you have done to others.
Example: When he accidentally knocked over the gravy, it was a taste of his own medicine. / After spilling the punch, it was a taste of his own medicine from all the times he spilled it!
Put Differently: He got back what he gave to others. / It was his turn to make a mess like he had before.
13. A feather in your cap
Meaning: An achievement that you are proud of.
Example: Baking the perfect pie was a real feather in her cap this Thanksgiving. / Helping set the table was a feather in his cap.
Put Differently: It was a proud moment for her. / He felt proud for helping out.
14. Like two peas in a pod
Meaning: Two people who are very similar or always together.
Example: The cousins were like two peas in a pod, always playing together at Thanksgiving. / They spent every Thanksgiving together, just like two peas in a pod.
Put Differently: They are always together and alike. / The kids were inseparable, just like peas in a pod.
15. In the same boat
Meaning: To be in the same situation as others.
Example: On Thanksgiving, we were all in the same boat, waiting for dinner to be served. / During the holiday, we are all in the same boat, excited for the big meal.
Put Differently: We were all together, waiting for the feast. / Everyone was in the same situation, hungry and waiting.
16. Eat humble pie
Meaning: To admit you were wrong or apologize.
Example: After the misunderstanding about the mashed potatoes, he had to eat humble pie. She had to eat humble pie when she realized she was wrong about the dessert.
Put Differently: He said sorry for what happened. / She admitted her mistake and apologized.
17. A wolf in sheep’s clothing
Meaning: Someone pretending to be nice but is actually bad.
Example: He acted all nice at dinner, but he was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, taking the last slice of pie. / The way she tricked us into giving her the biggest piece of cake made her a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Put Differently: He pretended to be kind, but wasn’t. / She fooled us by pretending to be nice.
18. Don’t cry over spilled milk
Meaning: Don’t be upset over something that can’t be fixed.
Example: We spilled the juice, but it’s no use crying over spilled milk; we just cleaned it up. / Don’t cry over spilled milk, just clean it up and move on!
Put Differently: It’s not worth getting upset about. / We can’t change it, so let’s clean up and go on.
19. Bite the hand that feeds you
Meaning: To hurt or offend someone who is helping you.
Example: You shouldn’t bite the hand that feeds you by complaining about the food your mom made for Thanksgiving. / Don’t bite the hand that feeds you by being rude to Grandma when she serves you dinner.
Put differently: Don’t be mean to someone who helps you. / Be kind to the person who does things for you.
20. Your cup runneth over
Meaning: To have more than enough of something, especially joy.
Example: After spending time with my family, my cup runneth over with happiness. / We felt so much joy after Thanksgiving dinner; our cup truly runneth over.
Put Differently: We had so much happiness. / We were so full of joy, we couldn’t contain it.
21. The icing on the cake
Meaning: Something that makes a good situation even better.
Example: The turkey was delicious, but the pie was the icing on the cake. / After the amazing dinner, playing games with family was the icing on the cake.
Put Differently: The pie made everything even better. / It made the day even more fun after the meal.
22. Like a kid in a candy store
Meaning: To be excited or happy about something.
Example: She was like a kid in a candy store when she saw the Thanksgiving desserts. / The kids were like kids in a candy store when they saw the table full of food.
Put Differently: They were so excited about it. / She couldn’t believe how much food there was!
23. On cloud nine
Meaning: To be very happy.
Example: After getting the last piece of pie, he was on cloud nine. / She was on cloud nine after the Thanksgiving dinner was a big success.
Put Differently: He was very happy. / She was in the best mood ever.
24. Salt of the earth
Meaning: A very good and humble person.
Example: Grandpa is the salt of the earth, always helping with Thanksgiving dinner. / Aunt Laura is the salt of the earth; she always makes the best stuffing.
Put Differently: He is a kind, good person. / She is the most helpful person I know.
25. Bring home the bacon
Meaning: To earn money or succeed in something.
Example: He really brought home the bacon by cooking the turkey perfectly. / After all the hard work, she brought home the bacon by winning the pie contest.
Put Differently: He did something great. / She succeeded in what she set out to do.
26. The ball is in your court
Meaning: It’s your turn to make a decision or take action.
Example: We finished setting the table; now the ball is in your court to start the dinner. / Now that we’ve planned everything, the ball is in your court to say grace.
Put Differently: It’s your turn to decide. / It’s up to you to take the next step.
27. Make a mountain out of a molehill
Meaning: To make a small problem seem much bigger than it is.
Example: Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill just because the mashed potatoes got a little cold./ It’s not a big deal, don’t make a mountain out of a molehill over the spilled water.
Put Differently: Don’t blow things out of proportion. / It’s not that serious; let’s not make it a huge problem.
28. Cry over spilled milk
Meaning: To worry or be upset over something that cannot be fixed.
Example: The turkey was a little overcooked, but don’t cry over spilled milk. / It’s okay that we ran out of gravy, no need to cry over spilled milk.
Put Differently: Don’t get upset over it. / There’s no need to cry about what’s already done.
29. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
Meaning: It’s better to hold on to something you have than risk losing it by trying for something better.
Example: We may not have the best turkey, but a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. / Don’t wish for a better dessert when we already have enough pie, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
Put Differently: It’s better to keep what we have than to try and get more and risk losing it. / What we have is enough, no need to chase after more.
30. Make hay while the sun shines
Meaning: To take advantage of a good situation while it lasts.
Example: Let’s enjoy the sunny weather and set up for the picnic; make hay while the sun shines. / The food is hot, so let’s eat and make hay while the sun shines!
Put Differently: Let’s enjoy this moment while it lasts. / We should make the most of it while we can.
31. A watched pot never boils
Meaning: Time seems to move slowly when you are waiting for something.
Example: Don’t stand there watching the turkey cook; a watched pot never boils. / Stop staring at the oven, a watched pot never boils!
Put Differently: Don’t rush time, it’ll take as long as it takes. / Things seem slower when you’re constantly watching.
32. Under the weather
Meaning: To feel sick or unwell.
Example: I’m feeling a little under the weather and might need to skip the Thanksgiving dinner. / She didn’t come to Thanksgiving dinner because she was feeling under the weather.
Put Differently: I’m not feeling well. / She was sick and couldn’t come.
33. Cat’s out of the bag
Meaning: A secret is revealed.
Example:The surprise dinner plans were ruined when the cat’s out of the bag. / He accidentally let it slip, and now the cat’s out of the bag about Thanksgiving dinner.
Put Differently: The secret’s out. / Everyone knows now!
34. It’s a piece of cake
Meaning: Something that is very easy to do.
Example: Don’t worry about setting the table, it’s a piece of cake. / The pie recipe is easy, it’s a piece of cake!
Put Differently: It’s really easy. / You’ll have no problem with it!
35. Burn the midnight oil
Meaning: To stay up late working on something.
Example: She had to burn the midnight oil to finish the Thanksgiving dessert. / We were burning the midnight oil to get everything ready for dinner.
Put Differently: We stayed up late finishing the work. / She worked really late to get it done.
36. Kick the bucket
Meaning: A funny way to say someone has passed away.
Example: Grandpa joked about kicking the bucket, but we all know he’s doing just fine. / The turkey nearly kicked the bucket after it fell on the floor.
Put Differently: He joked about dying. / The turkey almost fell and broke.
37. Hit the nail on the head
Meaning: To do something exactly right.
Example: She hit the nail on the head with the mashed potatoes; they were perfect! / You hit the nail on the head with your pumpkin pie; it’s delicious.
Put Differently: You did it perfectly. / That was exactly right!
38. Close but no cigar
Meaning: Almost succeeding but not quite.
Example: You almost won the pie contest, but it was close, but no cigar. / That was a great try, but close, but no cigar for the turkey!
Put Differently: You were very close, but not quite there. / You almost made it, but not yet.
39. Let the cat out of the bag
Meaning: To reveal a secret.
Example: She let the cat out of the bag about the surprise Thanksgiving dinner. / Don’t let the cat out of the bag about the surprise gift.
Put Differently: She ruined the surprise. / The secret is out now.
40. Keep your fingers crossed
Meaning: To hope for good luck.
Example: Let’s keep our fingers crossed that the turkey turns out perfect. / Keep your fingers crossed that the weather stays nice for Thanksgiving!
Put Differently: Let’s hope it goes well. / I hope everything works out perfectly.
“Rewrite the Sentence “Activity: Idioms about Thanksgiving
Below are 10 simple sentences about Thanksgiving. Your job is to rewrite each one using an idiom from the list you learned. Make sure your new sentence still makes sense and sounds natural.
Sentences to Rewrite
- I’m really happy about the Thanksgiving dinner this year.
- Everyone was excited when they saw the big feast on the table.
- After dinner, we felt full and couldn’t eat any more.
- We worked together to set the table for the Thanksgiving meal.
- I was so excited to see all my cousins at the dinner.
- I had to apologize after I spilled the punch on the table.
- We all took turns sharing what we are thankful for.
- The kids were having a blast playing games after dinner.
- The turkey was cooked perfectly this year, just like always.
- We can’t worry about the little things that went wrong, it’s over now.
Answer Key
- I was on cloud nine about the Thanksgiving dinner this year.
- Everyone was like kids in a candy store when they saw the big feast on the table.
- After dinner, we were stuffed to the gills and couldn’t eat any more.
- We brought something to the table to help set it for the Thanksgiving meal.
- I was like a kid in a candy store when I saw all my cousins at the dinner.
- I had to eat humble pie after I spilled the punch on the table.
- We all took turns counting our blessings and sharing what we are thankful for.
- The kids were like popcorn popping, having a blast playing games after dinner.
- The turkey was the icing on the cake, cooked perfectly this year, just like always.
- We can’t cry over spilled milk, it’s over now.
Conclusion
Thanksgiving is a time to gather with family and friends and show gratitude. Using idioms related to Thanksgiving can make the day even more fun and exciting. These idioms help express feelings of joy, pride, and thankfulness in a creative way. By learning them, you can make your conversations more interesting and colorful.
Whether you’re talking about how full you feel after dinner or how grateful you are for your loved ones, idioms can help you communicate in a way that feels both fun and meaningful. Keep practicing, and soon these idioms will become a natural part of your language, making your Thanksgiving celebrations even more memorable!
