10 Idioms About Work & Rest

Work-related idioms: Burning the midnight oil Meaning: Working late into the night. Example: "Sarah has been burning the midnight oil to finish the project." Up to one's neck in work Meaning: Extremely busy with work. Example: "I can't join you for lunch today, I'm up to my neck in work." Back to the grindstone Meaning: Returning to work after a break or vacation. Example: "Vacation was great, but now it's back to the grindstone." Nose to the grindstone Meaning: Working hard and diligently. Example: "She kept her nose to the grindstone to meet the deadline." In the same boat Meaning: Sharing a similar situation or circumstance with others. Example: "We're all in the same boat trying to finish the project on time." Call it a day Meaning: Deciding to finish work for the day. Example: "It's been a long day; let's call it a day and continue tomorrow." Rise and shine Meaning: Time to wake up and start the day. Example: "Rise and shine! It's time to get to work." Running around like a headless chicken Meaning: Being very busy but not focused or organized. Example: "With the project deadline approaching, everyone is running around like headless chickens." Hitting the ground running Meaning: Starting something energetically and immediately. Example: "He joined the company and hit the ground running." Bite off more than one can chew Meaning: Taking on more work than one can handle. Example: "I think I bit off more than I can chew with this new project." Leisure-related idioms: Kick back and relax Meaning: Take it easy and unwind. Example: "After a long day, it's nice to kick back and relax." Take a breather Meaning: Take a short break or rest. Example: "Let's take a breather before we continue with the meeting." Hit the hay Meaning: Go to bed or go to sleep. Example: "I'm exhausted; I'm going to hit the hay." Recharge one's batteries Meaning: Rest and regain energy. Example: "A weekend getaway helped me recharge my batteries." On cloud nine Meaning: Extremely happy or content. Example: "After the successful presentation, she was on cloud nine." Let one's hair down Meaning: Relax and enjoy oneself. Example: "After a long week, it's time to let my hair down and have some fun." A breath of fresh air Meaning: Something new and refreshing. Example: "The weekend getaway was a breath of fresh air after a hectic work schedule." In one's element Meaning: Feeling comfortable and skilled in a particular situation. Example: "He's in his element when he's playing the guitar." Catch some Z's Meaning: Get some sleep. Example: "I need to catch some Z's before the busy week starts." Paint the town red Meaning: Have a lively and enjoyable time. Example: "We're going to paint the town red to celebrate the success." Story How many idioms have you found? Title: The Deadline Dilemma Lucy had been burning the midnight oil for weeks. She was a dedicated graphic designer at a top advertising firm, tasked with creating the most innovative campaign for their biggest client. But her progress had hit a snag. The initial designs weren’t meeting the client's expectations, so it was back to the drawing board. Feeling the pressure, Lucy had to hit the ground running with a fresh approach. She found herself in the hot seat, facing the challenge of meeting the rapidly approaching deadline. She knew she had to keep her nose to the grindstone and come up with a game-changing concept. Finally, after numerous late nights and relentless effort, she managed to present a brilliant idea that impressed everyone. She was relieved and felt a sense of accomplishment. After the successful pitch, her boss suggested she take some time off. "You’ve earned it. Take a break, it will be like a breath of fresh air," he said. Following his advice, Lucy decided to go on a weekend retreat to a cabin in the mountains. As soon as she arrived, she felt like she was on cloud nine. The scenery was stunning, and the location was just a stone’s throw away from a beautiful lake. For the next few days, Lucy did exactly as her boss suggested, she kicked back and relaxed. She hiked, read books, and even tried painting. It was a change of scenery she needed after the hustle and bustle of the office. Returning to work, Lucy felt rejuvenated, with a clear mind and a renewed sense of creativity. She was ready to tackle any future project that came her way. Her time away had given her the much-needed energy to excel once again. The experience taught her the importance of balancing hard work and relaxation. Sometimes, taking a break is just as essential as putting in the effort, and both are necessary for success. And from that point on, Lucy made sure to find time for herself, understanding that a little leisure time could fuel her productivity in the long run.