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Beach idioms

20 Beach Idioms

Beach Idioms and What They Mean

Beach idioms use words from the sea, sand, and waves to talk about feelings, problems, and everyday life. These phrases help us describe things in a fun and colorful way. Here are 20 beach idioms, what they mean, and how to use them.

A drop in the ocean

This means a very small amount that doesn’t make a big difference.

Donating one dollar might feel like a drop in the ocean, but every bit helps.
His apology felt like a drop in the ocean after all the damage he had done.

Make waves

To do something new or different that gets attention or causes change.

Her new ideas are really starting to make waves in the community.
He loves to make waves by doing things differently.

Go with the flow

To relax and let things happen without trying to control them.

On vacation, I like to go with the flow and not plan too much.
She decided to go with the flow instead of getting upset.

The tide has turned

This means a situation has changed, usually in a better way.

After months of problems, the tide has turned and things are better now.
We were losing, but then the tide turned and we started to win.

Castaway

A person who is left alone, like someone stuck on an island with no help.

After moving to a new city, she felt like a castaway with no friends.
The dog looked like a castaway, waiting for someone to help.

On the rocks

Something, like a relationship or business, that is having serious problems.

Their marriage is on the rocks after many fights.
The shop is on the rocks and may close soon.

Throw in the towel

To stop trying because something is too hard.

After trying many times, he finally threw in the towel.
She won’t throw in the towel easily; she keeps trying.

Plain sailing

When something is easy and has no problems.

After we fixed the error, everything was plain sailing.
The job was plain sailing once I understood what to do.

Keep your head above water

To survive or manage, especially when life is hard.

They work hard just to keep their heads above water.
It’s not easy, but I’m trying to keep my head above water.

Swim against the tide

To do things differently from most people.

She always swims against the tide with her fashion choices.
It’s not easy to swim against the tide, but he likes being different.

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Between the devil and the deep blue sea

To be in a situation where both choices are bad.

He was between the devil and the deep blue sea—stay in a bad job or have no money.
I was between the devil and the deep blue sea trying to decide what to do.

Like a fish out of water

To feel uncomfortable or out of place in a situation.

He felt like a fish out of water at the fancy party.
I was like a fish out of water on my first day at work.

Soak up the sun

To enjoy the sunshine and relax outside.

We went to the beach to soak up the sun.
She loves to soak up the sun in the garden.

Blow something out of the water

To beat something or someone completely or do much better.

Their new phone blew the old one out of the water.
That singer blew everyone out of the water with her voice.

Come out of your shell

To start talking more and become less shy.

He has really come out of his shell since joining the club.
With help from her friends, she came out of her shell.

Dead in the water

Something that has stopped and will not work or continue.

The idea is dead in the water without money.
The plan was dead in the water before it even started.

Ride the wave

To enjoy something good that is happening and take advantage of it.

She is riding the wave of her success and starting a new business.
The team is winning again and riding the wave of excitement.

Lost at sea

To feel confused or not know what to do.

I felt lost at sea in my first week of university.
Without any help, he was lost at sea in his new job.

Like sand through your fingers

Something that is hard to hold or keep, and disappears easily.

Time feels like sand through my fingers on the weekend.
Money goes like sand through your fingers if you’re not careful.

Hit the beach

To go to the beach, usually for fun or to relax.

Let’s hit the beach early to find a good spot.
We’ll hit the beach this weekend and have a great time.

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