20 Nature Idioms and Expressions (with Meanings and Examples)

Nature has always found its way into the way we speak. We talk about storms when life gets tough, sunshine when things go well, and roots when we want to feel settled. These images make language more vivid and help us explain feelings or situations in a way everyone understands.

For English learners, nature idioms are a great way to sound more natural and connect with everyday conversations. Teachers can also use them to spark fun discussions — everyone has a story about “weathering a storm” or needing to “go with the flow.”

In this post, we’ll explore 20 nature idioms, with clear meanings and natural examples. These are perfect for teaching in your ESL lessons or learning for yourself.

1. Take a leaf out of someone’s book

Meaning: To copy or follow someone’s good example.

Example: I’ve started exercising every morning, taking a leaf out of my sister’s book.

2. Bark up the wrong tree

Meaning: To make a wrong assumption or pursue the wrong course.

Example: If you think I caused the problem, you’re barking up the wrong tree.

3. Branch out

Meaning: To try something new or different. Example: This year I’ve decided to branch out and teach group classes as well as one-to-ones.

4. Beat around the bush

Meaning: To avoid saying something directly. Example: Stop beating around the bush and tell me what you really think.

5. Can’t see the wood for the trees

Meaning: To focus too much on small details and miss the bigger picture. Example: I spent hours editing one slide, but I couldn’t see the wood for the trees — the whole presentation needed more structure.

6. To nip something in the bud

Meaning: To stop a problem before it grows bigger. Example: I noticed students chatting off-topic, so I nipped it in the bud before it disrupted the class.

7. Weather the storm

Meaning: To survive a difficult situation.

Example: Our internet went down during class, but we weathered the storm by switching to mobile data.

8. Out of the woods

Meaning: Out of danger or difficulty.

Example: I felt out of the woods once exam season was finally over.

9. Go with the flow

Meaning: To accept things as they happen and adapt.

Example: When the lesson took an unexpected turn, I decided to go with the flow and let students lead the discussion.

10. Keep your head above water

Meaning: To just manage to cope with difficulties.

Example: With marking, lesson prep, and meetings, I’m just keeping my head above water this week.

11. A storm in a teacup

Meaning: A small problem made to seem bigger than it is.

Example: The students argued about homework, but it was just a storm in a teacup and quickly forgotten.

12. Calm before the storm

Meaning: A quiet time before a period of activity or trouble.

Example: The staffroom felt peaceful, but it was the calm before the storm of parents’ evening.

13. Every cloud has a silver lining

Meaning: Every bad situation has a positive side.

Example: The cancelled class was disappointing, but the silver lining was extra time to rest.

14. Throw caution to the wind

Meaning: To take a risk without worrying about the consequences.

Example: I threw caution to the wind and applied for a teaching job abroad.

15. A drop in the ocean

Meaning: A very small amount compared to what is needed.

Example: Correcting one essay was a drop in the ocean compared to the stack waiting on my desk.

16. Make a mountain out of a molehill

Meaning: To exaggerate a small problem.

Example: He made a mountain out of a molehill when the printer jammed.

17. Move mountains

Meaning: To achieve something very difficult.

Example: Dedicated teachers can move mountains when it comes to motivating students.

18. As clear as mud

Meaning: Very confusing or unclear.

Example: His explanation of the grammar rule was as clear as mud.

19. Fresh as a daisy

Meaning: Energetic and well-rested.

Example: She looked fresh as a daisy even after teaching three back-to-back lessons.

20. Down to earth

Meaning: Practical and sensible.

Example: My mentor is so down to earth — she always gives advice I can actually use in class.

Teaching Nature Idioms in the ESL Classroom

These idioms are excellent for sparking classroom conversations. Try asking:

• “Can you describe a time you had to weather the storm?”

• “Who do you admire enough to take a leaf out of their book?”

• “What’s something you nipped in the bud recently?”

  
  

For ready-to-use activities, check out our Nature Idioms ESL lesson plan, which includes vocabulary tasks, dialogues, and speaking practice. You might also like our Natural Spaces & Mental Health lesson, which connect language learning with nature themes.

Conclusion

Nature idioms bring colour and personality into everyday English. They help us describe life’s ups and downs in a way that feels vivid and memorable. Whether it’s “weathering the storm” during a busy week or feeling “fresh as a daisy” after a good night’s sleep, these expressions connect language to real experience.