Have you ever watched ocean waves move up and down at the beach? Waves are always changing, sometimes calm and sometimes strong. Just like real waves, our feelings and life events can also go up and down. To talk about these changing moments, people often use idioms, or special phrases, about waves.
In this article, you’ll learn idioms about waves. Idioms help us describe things clearly and in an interesting way. Knowing these idioms will help you understand what people mean when they talk about life’s ups and downs. You’ll also practice how to use these idioms yourself, so your writing and speaking can become clearer and more creative. Let’s dive into learning idioms about waves!
Idioms about Waves
1. Make waves
Meaning: Cause a big change or get lots of attention
Example: Jake made waves when he started a new club at school. / Her bright costume made waves at the party.
Put Differently: He stood out and got noticed. / She did something different that got everyone talking.
2. Ride the wave
Meaning: Go along with something exciting or popular
Example: The team is riding the wave after winning three games in a row. / She’s riding the wave of her art contest win.
Put Differently: They’re enjoying the good moment. / She’s using her success to do more.
3. Wave of emotion
Meaning: A strong feeling that comes suddenly
Example: A wave of emotion hit me when I saw my lost dog. / He felt a wave of sadness after losing the game.
Put Differently: I suddenly felt really emotional. / He was quickly overcome with feeling.
4. Make a splash
Meaning: Get noticed in a big way
Example: Lily made a splash with her science project. / The new student made a splash on his first day.
Put Differently: She impressed everyone. / He got a lot of attention right away.
5. Go against the tide
Meaning: Do something different from others
Example: He went against the tide by wearing a homemade costume. / She went against the tide by standing up for her friend.
Put Differently: He didn’t follow the crowd. / She made a bold choice.
6. Catch the wave
Meaning: Take an opportunity at the right time
Example: I caught the wave and joined the spelling bee just in time. / She caught the wave and entered the art contest.
Put Differently: I jumped in at the perfect time. / She joined while it was still open.
7. Wave of the future
Meaning: Something that will be popular soon
Example: Using tablets in school is the wave of the future. / Online classes are the wave of the future.
Put Differently: This is something we’ll see more of soon. / It’s a new thing that will become normal.
8. Make waves in a good way
Meaning: Do something great that gets noticed
Example: Tim made waves in a good way by helping others. / She made waves with her kindness.
Put Differently: He got attention for doing something right. / People noticed her good actions.
9. On the same wavelength
Meaning: Thinking the same way as someone else
Example: My best friend and I are on the same wavelength. / We were on the same wavelength during our group work.
Put Differently: We understand each other. / We think alike.
10. A wave of excitement
Meaning: Feeling very excited all of a sudden
Example: A wave of excitement ran through the class before the field trip. / He felt a wave of excitement before the race.
Put Differently: Everyone got really excited quickly. / He felt super happy all at once.
11. Wave goodbye to
Meaning: Let go of something or say goodbye
Example: I had to wave goodbye to summer vacation. / We waved goodbye to the broken toy.
Put Differently: We said goodbye to it. / We let it go.
12. Waves of laughter
Meaning: A lot of people laughing loudly and happily
Example: The room filled with waves of laughter during the play. / We had waves of laughter at the party.
Put Differently: Everyone was laughing again and again. / Laughter kept coming.
13. Wave through
Meaning: Let someone pass or go ahead
Example: The teacher waved us through the hallway. / The guard waved us through the gate.
Put Differently: They allowed us to go on. / We didn’t have to stop.
14. In waves
Meaning: Coming again and again
Example: The students arrived in waves before the assembly. / The pain came in waves after I fell.
Put Differently: It happened more than once. / It kept coming back.
15. Wave off
Meaning: Ignore or not worry about something
Example: I waved off the teasing from my classmates. / He waved off the warning and kept going.
Put Differently: I didn’t let it bother me. / He didn’t pay attention.
16. Make a wave
Meaning: Start something big
Example: Her idea made a wave at the student council meeting. / That change made a wave in the lunch rules.
Put Differently: It caused something important to happen. / It made people notice.
17. First wave
Meaning: The first group or part of something
Example: The first wave of kids went out for recess. / The first wave of snow started falling this morning.
Put Differently: The first group arrived. / The start of something.
18. Last wave
Meaning: The final group or part
Example: The last wave of runners finished the race. / The last wave of kids cleaned up the room.
Put Differently: The final part happened. / The end group came.
19. A wave of fear
Meaning: A sudden strong feeling of fear
Example: A wave of fear hit me before I gave my speech. / She felt a wave of fear in the dark hallway.
Put Differently: I got scared quickly. / She felt nervous suddenly.
20. Wave them over
Meaning: Ask someone to come closer by waving
Example: I waved my friend over to sit by me. / The coach waved the team over to talk.
Put Differently: I used my hand to ask them to come. / He signaled them to come near.
21. Wave down
Meaning: Use your hand to stop someone
Example: I waved down the ice cream truck. / We waved down the bus driver.
Put Differently: I signaled to stop them. / We used a wave to get attention.
22. New wave
Meaning: A fresh idea or group
Example: This book starts a new wave of adventure stories. / A new wave of games came out this year.
Put Differently: A new trend is starting. / A new group is here.
23. Wave away
Meaning: Dismiss or ignore something
Example: He waved away my worries. / She waved away the mistake and kept going.
Put Differently: He told me not to worry. / She didn’t let the mistake bother her.
24. Wave off the thought
Meaning: Stop yourself from thinking about something
Example: I waved off the thought of losing. / She waved off the thought of quitting.
Put Differently: I tried not to think about it. / She didn’t let the idea grow.
25. Waves of change
Meaning: Big changes happening
Example: There are waves of change coming to the school rules. / The town saw waves of change after the storm.
Put Differently: Many things are changing. / Big changes are happening.
26. Second wave
Meaning: A new part after the first
Example: The second wave of students entered the classroom. / A second wave of rain started.
Put Differently: Another group came next. / The next part began.
27. Wave like crazy
Meaning: Wave a lot with excitement
Example: We waved like crazy when the parade passed. / She waved like crazy when she saw her dad.
Put Differently: We waved really fast and a lot. / She waved with joy.
28. Like waves on the ocean
Meaning: Something that happens again and again
Example: The feelings came like waves on the ocean. / Her thoughts returned like waves on the ocean.
Put Differently: They came back over and over. / It kept happening.
29. Wave of support
Meaning: Lots of help or care from people
Example: He got a wave of support after his speech. / She felt a wave of support from her friends.
Put Differently: Many people helped him. / Her friends stood by her.
30. High wave
Meaning: A big or strong event or emotion
Example: We felt a high wave of excitement during the game. / A high wave of energy hit the crowd.
Put Differently: Everyone was really excited. / A lot of energy was in the room.
31. Low wave
Meaning: A quiet or sad moment
Example: There was a low wave after the test ended. / She felt a low wave of sadness.
Put Differently: Things were calm or a little sad. / She felt quiet inside.
32. Surf the wave
Meaning: Stay strong while things change
Example: We surfed the wave of changes in school. / He surfed the wave of new rules.
Put Differently: We stayed steady during change. / He kept going even with change.
33. Wave to the crowd
Meaning: Say hello to a group
Example: The team waved to the crowd after winning. / She waved to the crowd from the stage.
Put Differently: They greeted everyone. / She smiled and said hi with a wave.
34. Be swept up in the wave
Meaning: Join something big without planning
Example: I got swept up in the wave of fun. / He was swept up in the wave of cheers.
Put Differently: I joined without thinking. / He became part of the moment.
35. Send waves
Meaning: Cause a strong reaction
Example: The news sent waves through the school. / Her idea sent waves at the meeting.
Put Differently: Everyone reacted strongly. / It made people pay attention.
36. A wave of relief
Meaning: Feel calm after being worried
Example: A wave of relief came when I found my keys. / He felt a wave of relief after the test.
Put Differently: I was no longer worried. / He felt better.
37. Drown in waves
Meaning: Feel overwhelmed
Example: I felt like I was drowning in waves of homework. / She was drowning in waves of chores.
Put Differently: It was too much to handle. / She had a lot to do.
38. Send a wave
Meaning: Cause something to happen
Example: The teacher’s news sent a wave of surprise. / His story sent a wave of laughter.
Put Differently: It started a strong reaction. / People reacted quickly.
39. Calm the waves
Meaning: Settle down a big reaction
Example: The teacher calmed the waves after the loud noise. / Mom calmed the waves when we argued.
Put Differently: She helped things settle down. / He stopped the upset feelings.
40. Breaking wave
Meaning: A big moment that changes something
Example: Winning the contest was a breaking wave for him. / The breaking wave of ideas helped the team win.
Put Differently: It was a big, important moment. / It helped make a big change.
“Rewrite the Sentence” Activity:Idioms about Waves
Below are 10 sentences expressing feelings or situations about aging without using idioms. Your task is to rewrite each sentence using one of the idioms from the previous sections. Be sure to make the new sentences sound natural and keep the meaning the same.
Sentences to Rewrite
- Jake felt very happy when his team won three games in a row.
- Sarah kept showing her good test grades to all her friends.
- Everyone started laughing when Mia dropped her lunch tray.
- Lots of kids ran quickly into the cafeteria when the pizza arrived.
- The snowstorm caused the school to cancel our field trip.
- The hot weather made it difficult to play soccer outside.
- The teacher quickly let us into the classroom without checking our passes.
- Aiden and Leo always agree about their favorite video games.
- After winning the spelling bee, Emma continued to do well in school.
- Emily decided to join the popular art club after her friends did.
Answer Ke
- Jake rode a wave of success when his team won three games in a row.
- Sarah kept waving around her good test grades to all her friends.
- Waves of laughter filled the room when Mia dropped her lunch tray.
- A tidal wave of kids ran into the cafeteria when the pizza arrived.
- The snowstorm waved off our field trip.
- The heat wave made it difficult to play soccer outside.
- The teacher waved us through without checking our passes.
- Aiden and Leo are always on the same wavelength about video games.
- After winning the spelling bee, Emma rode a wave of success in school.
- Emily decided to catch the wave and joined the popular art club.
Conclusion
Idioms about waves help us talk about everyday feelings and experiences clearly. Knowing these idioms lets you explain things quickly and easily. Whether you’re describing friendships, school, or family moments, these idioms can make your words more interesting. Keep practicing them, and soon you’ll feel comfortable using idioms in your own conversations.
