As the crisp air of fall settles in, it’s a great opportunity to teach your ESL students some idioms related to the autumn season. Idioms are a fun and engaging way to help students understand how language is used in real-life conversations.

Here are 10 autumn-themed idioms that you can introduce in your ESL lessons, along with definitions and examples for each one.

1) Turn over a new leaf

Meaning: To start fresh, make a positive change, or adopt a new habit.

Example: After realizing how much time he was wasting, John decided to turn over a new leaf and focus on his studies.

2) The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree

Meaning: Children often resemble their parents in terms of character, behavior, or appearance.

Example: Jane is very hardworking, just like her mother. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!

3) Reap what you sow

Meaning: You will experience the consequences (good or bad) of your actions or efforts.

Example: After years of working hard, he’s now reaping what he sowed, in retirement!

4) To squirrel away

Meaning: To save or store something, typically money or resources, for future use.

Example: She’s been squirreling away money for years so she can afford to travel around the world one day.

5) Rake it in

Meaning: To make a lot of money, usually in a short amount of time.

Example: With the success of their new startup, the founders are really raking it in.

6) As easy as pie

Meaning: Very easy or simple to do.

Example: Learning to use the new software was as easy as pie for her.

7) Under the weather

Meaning: Feeling ill or unwell.

Example: She’s been feeling under the weather, so she’s staying home from work today.

8) To be nuts about something

Meaning: To be extremely enthusiastic or passionate about something.

Example: My sister is nuts about pumpkin spice lattes. She buys them every day during fall.”

9) Sweater weather

Meaning: The time of year when the weather is cool enough to wear sweaters, usually associated with autumn.

Example: I love sweater weather! It’s the perfect time to cozy up with a good book.

10) Get wind of something

Meaning: To hear or learn about something, often a secret or private information.

Example: I got wind of the company’s plans to downsize, so I’m preparing for possible changes.

Do you know any other autumn idioms? Share them in the comments below!