Bring some cozy vibes to your ESL classroom this winter by teaching your students seasonal idioms! Idiomatic expressions not only enrich their language skills but also deepen their comprehension of cultural nuances.

Here are 12 winter-themed idioms to teach your students, along with their definitions and examples. Ask your students to come up with their own examples and share them with the class!

1) Snowball Effect

Meaning: A situation where something starts small but builds up quickly, often at a faster and faster rate.

Example: The more successful you become, the more publicity you get and that publicity increases your success. It’s a snowball effect.

2) Break the Ice

Meaning: To initiate a conversation or activity in order to make people feel more comfortable and at ease.

Example: The teacher led a fun activity at the start of class to break the ice.

3) Cold Shoulder

Meaning: To ignore someone or treat them in an unfriendly way.

Example: After their argument, she gave him the cold shoulder for a week.

4) Tip of the Iceberg

Meaning: The small, visible part of a much bigger situation.

Example: The complaints we’ve received are just the tip of the iceberg. There are likely many more issues we haven’t heard about.

5) In the Dead of Winter

Meaning: The coldest, darkest part of the winter season.

Example: They moved into their new home in the dead of winter, which made it difficult to settle in.

6) Snowed Under

Meaning: Overwhelmed with work or responsibilities.

Example: I’m completely snowed under with assignments this week.

7) Walking on Thin Ice

Meaning: To be in a risky situation.

Example: He’s walking on thin ice by arriving late to every meeting.

8) Cold Comfort

Meaning: A small or insignificant consolation.

Example: Winning a minor prize was cold comfort after losing the championship.

9) Freeze Up

Meaning: To be unable to act or think, often due to fear or nervousness.

Example: She froze up during her presentation and forgot what she wanted to say.

10) Winter Wonderland

Meaning: A beautiful and snowy place.

Example: The town looked like a winter wonderland after the fresh snowfall.

11) Out in the Cold

Meaning: To be left out or ignored.

Example: After the company was acquired, many employees felt left out in the cold.

12) Cold Feet

Meaning: To experience hesitation or nervousness about a decision or action.

Example: She got cold feet just before her big performance.

We hope your ESL students will enjoy these winter idioms! Do you know any other ones? Share them in the comments below!