12 English Idioms for Talking About Summer Holidays
It’s Summer again and so far this one has been a scorcher! (A nice way of saying it’s been exceptionally hot.)
Perhaps you’re heading abroad for a week or two, spending a few days by the seaside or simply taking some well-earned time away from work. Whatever your plans, summer holidays tend to come up in English conversations at this time of year.
You might be asked where you’re going, how you’re travelling, or what you’re planning to do over the Summer. Using a few natural expressions can make these conversations feel much easier.
Here are 12 English summer idioms and expressions for talking about holidays, travel and taking a break.
1. Off the beaten track
Meaning: Somewhere away from the places most tourists visit.
We use this expression to describe quieter, less well-known destinations. These might be small villages, hidden beaches or parts of a city that don’t appear in every guidebook.
Example: We stayed in a tiny village completely off the beaten track and loved the peace and quiet.
You could also say:
I’d like to visit somewhere a little off the beaten track this summer.
2. Hit the road
Meaning: To begin a journey, particularly one made by car.
This is an informal expression that is often used when people are ready to leave.
Example: Let’s hit the road at dawn tomorrow and beat the traffic.
You might also hear someone say:
We’d better hit the road if we want to arrive before lunch.
3. Get away from it all
Meaning: To escape the pressures and routines of everyday life so that you can relax.
Sometimes we don’t want an action-packed holiday. We simply want some distance from emails, appointments, housework and all the other things competing for our attention.
Example: After such a busy term, I need to get away from it all and switch my phone off for a week.
This expression is particularly useful when you want to explain why you need a holiday:
We’ve booked a cottage in Cornwall because we really need to get away from it all.
4. Make your way somewhere
Meaning: To travel towards a particular place, sometimes gradually or with several stops along the way.
This expression often appears in stories about journeys. It can make your description sound more natural than simply saying that you went somewhere.
Example: We made our way down the coast, stopping at every little seaside town for ice cream.
Or
We’re slowly making our way back to the hotel.
How did you make your way from the airport to the city centre?
5. Live out of a suitcase
Meaning: To travel for a long time without properly settling or unpacking.
You might live out of a suitcase during a long trip, but you can also use the expression when you are moving between several places for work or visiting different family members.
Example: I’ve been living out of a suitcase since May, and I’m oddly enjoying it.
6. Catch the travel bug
Meaning: To develop a strong desire to travel and discover new places.
A “bug” is normally an illness, but in this expression it describes an enthusiasm that seems to spread or take hold of you.
Example: He caught the travel bug after his first solo trip and hasn’t stopped exploring since.
You could also say:
I caught the travel bug when I spent a summer travelling around Spain.
7. Get itchy feet
Meaning: To begin feeling restless and want to travel, move somewhere new or have a change of scene.
People often get itchy feet after staying in one place for a while. Some enthusiastic travellers seem to experience the feeling almost as soon as they return home.
Example: I’ve only been home for a fortnight and I’m already getting itchy feet again.
This expression doesn’t always refer to an actual holiday. It can also describe a more general desire for change:
After five years in the same city, she started to get itchy feet.
8. Pack everything but the kitchen sink
Meaning: To pack far more than you could possibly need.
The idea is that you have packed almost everything in your house, with the possible exception of the kitchen sink.
This one feels particularly familiar to anyone who has ever tried to prepare for every possible type of British summer weather.
Example: She packed everything but the kitchen sink for a weekend in Brighton.
You might also use it to talk about yourself:
I always pack everything but the kitchen sink and then wear the same three outfits.
9. Be in holiday mode
Meaning: To feel relaxed, distracted from work and mentally ready for your holiday.
You can be in holiday mode while you are away, but the feeling often begins several days before you actually leave.
Example: Don’t bother me with spreadsheets—I’m in holiday mode already.
It can also take a little while to return to normal afterwards:
I’ve been back for three days, but my brain is still in holiday mode.
10. Catch some rays
Meaning: To spend time outside enjoying the sunshine, usually by sitting or lying in the sun.
This is a casual expression, and “rays” refers to the sun’s rays.
Example: We headed to the park to catch some rays before lunch.
Of course, during a British summer, you may need to move quickly:
The sun’s finally come out, so I’m going into the garden to catch some rays.
11. A breath of fresh air
Meaning: A refreshing and welcome change.
This expression can describe a change of place, routine or atmosphere. It can even describe a person whose ideas or personality feel refreshing.
Example: That weekend in the Lake District was a real breath of fresh air.
You might also say:
It was lovely to spend a few days away from the city. It was just the breath of fresh air I needed.
12. Go with the flow
Meaning: To relax and accept situations as they develop rather than trying to control or plan everything.
Some people prefer to organise every detail of a holiday. Others book the journey and accommodation, then go with the flow once they arrive.
Example: We didn’t book every detail. We just went with the flow and discovered some brilliant little cafés along the way.
This expression is particularly useful when plans change:
The weather wasn’t what we expected, but we went with the flow and still had a lovely time.
How to use these English summer idioms
You don’t need to memorise all twelve expressions at once. Choose two or three that connect with your own experiences.
You could think about the following questions:
Do you prefer popular destinations or places that are off the beaten track?
Have you ever packed everything but the kitchen sink?
How long does it take you to get into holiday mode?
Do you plan every detail or prefer to go with the flow?
Have you caught the travel bug, or are you happiest staying close to home?
Try answering one of the questions aloud, using one of the idioms in a complete sentence. You could also use them in a voice note, a journal entry or your next English conversation.
Whether you’re jetting off somewhere exotic, driving to the coast or enjoying a staycation at home, these English summer idioms can help you talk about your plans and experiences more naturally.
And wherever you’re going, I hope your summer holiday gives you the chance to get away from it all, catch your breath and return feeling refreshed.
Practise these expressions in a real conversation
Knowing an idiom is one thing. Feeling confident enough to use it naturally in conversation is another.
In my one-to-one English conversation sessions, you’ll have time to talk, experiment with new language and express yourself without feeling rushed or constantly interrupted. I’ll listen carefully, help you find more natural ways to say what you mean and send you written notes afterwards.
If you’d like a relaxed, supportive space to practise your spoken English, you can book a conversation session with me below.
