30 Idioms for Winter

Winter is a season that brings with it cold weather, cozy moments, and sometimes, challenges. There are many idioms that reflect the essence of winter, whether it’s about feeling cold, facing difficult situations, or enjoying the quiet of the season.

These idioms not only reflect the season’s weather but also the emotions and experiences tied to it. Here are 30 winter-related idioms to warm up your vocabulary.

1. In the dead of winter

Meaning: Refers to the middle of winter when it is the coldest and darkest.
In a Sentence: The town looks abandoned in the dead of winter, with no one out in the streets.
Other Ways to Say: In the heart of winter, in the midst of winter.

2. Cold as ice

Meaning: Describes someone who is emotionally distant or unfeeling.
In a Sentence: She was cold as ice when I tried to apologize.
Other Ways to Say: Frigid, emotionally distant, cold-hearted.

3. Snowed under

Meaning: To be overwhelmed or burdened with work or tasks.
In a Sentence: I’m snowed under with work, I’ll need a few extra hours to finish everything.
Other Ways to Say: Swamped, buried in work, overloaded.

4. A cold day in hell

Meaning: Something that is extremely unlikely to happen.
In a Sentence: I’ll apologize to him on a cold day in hell—he’s the one who owes me an apology!
Other Ways to Say: When pigs fly, not in a million years.

5. Chill to the bone

Meaning: To feel extremely cold or to feel deeply unsettled or frightened.
In a Sentence: The wind was so strong that it chilled me to the bone.
Other Ways to Say: Frozen to the core, bone-chilling.

6. Walking on thin ice

Meaning: To be in a risky or precarious situation.
In a Sentence: I’m walking on thin ice with my boss after missing the deadline.
Other Ways to Say: On dangerous ground, treading carefully.

7. Break the ice

Meaning: To initiate conversation or make people feel more comfortable in a social setting.
In a Sentence: He told a funny joke to break the ice at the meeting.
Other Ways to Say: Start the conversation, get the ball rolling.

8. Ice-cold

Meaning: Something that is very cold, or can also describe a person who is unfriendly or unapproachable.
In a Sentence: She gave me an ice-cold stare when I asked her about the report.
Other Ways to Say: Frosty, chilly, unwelcoming.

9. A snowball’s chance in hell

Meaning: Having almost no chance of success or survival.
In a Sentence: You’ve got a snowball’s chance in hell of getting that job without the required experience.
Other Ways to Say: No hope, impossible.

10. Steal someone’s thunder

Meaning: To take credit for someone else’s idea or achievement.
In a Sentence: When he announced the new project, I felt like he stole my thunder because I had been planning it for weeks.
Other Ways to Say: Upstage, take the spotlight.

11. Under the weather

Meaning: To feel ill or unwell.
In a Sentence: I’m feeling a bit under the weather, so I think I’ll stay home today.
Other Ways to Say: Not feeling well, a bit off, sick.

12. Snowed in

Meaning: Being trapped by a heavy snowfall, unable to leave.
In a Sentence: We got snowed in at the cabin and couldn’t get out until the roads were cleared.
Other Ways to Say: Stuck inside, confined by the snow.

13. Throw caution to the wind

Meaning: To take a risk or do something without worrying about the consequences.
In a Sentence: She decided to throw caution to the wind and go skiing despite the stormy forecast.
Other Ways to Say: Take a leap of faith, act recklessly.

14. Blow hot and cold

Meaning: To be inconsistent or unpredictable, especially in one’s feelings or behavior.
In a Sentence: He blows hot and cold when it comes to making plans, sometimes he’s enthusiastic and other times he cancels.
Other Ways to Say: Be fickle, changeable.

15. Keep the wolf from the door

Meaning: To manage to avoid poverty or hunger.
In a Sentence: His part-time job helps keep the wolf from the door until he finds something permanent.
Other Ways to Say: Make ends meet, survive.

16. As cold as the grave

Meaning: To be very cold, or to describe something that is lifeless or devoid of warmth.
In a Sentence: The house felt as cold as the grave after the heating broke.
Other Ways to Say: Lifeless, chilling.

17. A winter’s tale

Meaning: A fantastical, improbable story or event.
In a Sentence: His explanation about how he saved the company sounded like a winter’s tale.
Other Ways to Say: Tall tale, fairy tale.

18. Keep the fire burning

Meaning: To maintain enthusiasm or passion, often in a relationship.
In a Sentence: After years of marriage, they still find ways to keep the fire burning.
Other Ways to Say: Keep the spark alive, maintain the passion.

19. Snowball effect

Meaning: A situation where something small grows into something large and increasingly difficult to manage.
In a Sentence: The delay caused a snowball effect that disrupted the entire schedule.
Other Ways to Say: Domino effect, chain reaction.

20. Throw a cold towel on something

Meaning: To discourage or dampen excitement or enthusiasm.
In a Sentence: His comment about the project being too difficult really threw a cold towel on my excitement.
Other Ways to Say: Discourage, dampen the mood.

21. Winter wonderland

Meaning: A beautiful scene or setting during winter, often covered in snow.
In a Sentence: The town square turned into a winter wonderland with all the lights and fresh snow.
Other Ways to Say: Snowy paradise, frosty dream.

22. A warm welcome

Meaning: To greet someone with kindness and hospitality.
In a Sentence: The hotel staff gave us a warm welcome when we arrived after our long journey.
Other Ways to Say: Cordial reception, friendly greeting.

23. It’s all snowed in

Meaning: To be overwhelmed or trapped by something, similar to being snowed under.
In a Sentence: I’m sorry, I can’t help with the event. I’m all snowed in with my own work right now.
Other Ways to Say: Overloaded, swamped.

24. Winter is coming

Meaning: An ominous statement predicting tough or challenging times ahead.
In a Sentence: The market conditions are worsening—winter is coming.
Other Ways to Say: Hard times ahead, trouble’s brewing.

25. Keep your eye on the ice

Meaning: To be cautious or vigilant, especially in a tricky situation.
In a Sentence: He advised me to keep my eye on the ice when approaching that client, as he’s unpredictable.
Other Ways to Say: Be alert, stay on your toes.

26. Frozen out

Meaning: To be excluded or left out, often from a group or decision.
In a Sentence: I felt completely frozen out of the meeting when they didn’t ask for my opinion.
Other Ways to Say: Left out, sidelined.

27. Bitter cold

Meaning: Extremely cold, usually referring to unpleasant or uncomfortable temperatures.
In a Sentence: We couldn’t stay outside for long due to the bitter cold wind.
Other Ways to Say: Freezing, frigid.

28. Ice in your veins

Meaning: To be calm, composed, or unflappable, especially under pressure.
In a Sentence: She showed ice in her veins when handling the difficult situation with the client.
Other Ways to Say: Cold-blooded, calm under pressure.

29. A snow job

Meaning: To deceive or manipulate someone with elaborate but false information.
In a Sentence: He tried to give me a snow job about the condition of the product, but I didn’t believe him.
Other Ways to Say: Pull the wool over someone’s eyes, deceive.

30. Chasing snowflakes

Meaning: Pursuing something unattainable or unrealistic.
In a Sentence: It feels like chasing snowflakes trying to get them all to agree on the plan.
Other Ways to Say: Chasing rainbows, chasing the impossible.

Winter Idioms Quiz

1. What does the idiom “In the dead of winter” mean?

a) The warmest part of winter
b) The coldest and darkest part of winter
c) The time when it first starts to snow
d) When winter is about to end

Answer: b) The coldest and darkest part of winter

2. If someone is described as “cold as ice”, what does it imply?

a) They are physically cold
b) They are emotionally distant or unfeeling
c) They are sick
d) They are angry

Answer: b) They are emotionally distant or unfeeling

3. What does it mean to be “snowed under”?

a) To be overwhelmed with tasks or work
b) To be caught in a snowstorm
c) To be unable to leave the house because of snow
d) To be cold and shivering

Answer: a) To be overwhelmed with tasks or work

4. If someone says, “I’ll apologize to him on a cold day in hell,” what do they mean?

a) They’ll apologize in winter
b) They’ll never apologize
c) They will apologize eventually
d) They’ve already apologized

Answer: b) They’ll never apologize

5. What does the idiom “chill to the bone” mean?

a) To feel very cold
b) To be frightened or unsettled
c) To be exhausted
d) Both a and b

Answer: d) Both a and b

6. If someone is “walking on thin ice,” what are they doing?

a) They are walking carefully to avoid slipping
b) They are in a risky or precarious situation
c) They are enjoying the winter
d) They are physically cold

Answer: b) They are in a risky or precarious situation

7. What is the purpose of “breaking the ice”?

a) To make a room colder
b) To start a conversation and make people feel comfortable
c) To stop people from talking
d) To create a challenge for the group

Answer: b) To start a conversation and make people feel comfortable

8. “A snowball’s chance in hell” suggests:

a) Something likely to happen
b) Something very unlikely to happen
c) A chance to succeed in a snowball fight
d) A perfect opportunity

Answer: b) Something very unlikely to happen

9. To “keep the wolf from the door” means:

a) To avoid winter storms
b) To keep financial difficulties or hunger at bay
c) To deal with dangerous animals
d) To survive a cold winter

10. If something has “a snowball effect,” what happens?

a) It remains small and manageable
b) It becomes more significant and harder to control
c) It melts away quickly
d) It doesn’t have an impact

Answer: b) It becomes more significant and harder to control

11. If someone is described as “frozen out,” it means:

a) They are cold because of the weather
b) They are left out or excluded
c) They are having fun in the snow
d) They are ignored in a meeting

Answer: b) They are left out or excluded

12. What does “winter wonderland” refer to?

a) A dangerous winter storm
b) A scene with beautiful snow or winter landscape
c) A cold, unwelcoming place
d) A place where people get stuck in the snow

Answer: b) A scene with beautiful snow or winter landscape

13. What does “throw caution to the wind” mean?

a) To ignore safety
b) To take a risk without worrying about the consequences
c) To stay cautious
d) To keep your plans a secret

Answer: b) To take a risk without worrying about the consequences

14. “Walking on thin ice” and “on dangerous ground” both mea

a) To be very cautious
b) To be in a risky or precarious situation
c) To be unaware of the danger
d) To enjoy the outdoors in winter

Answer: b) To be in a risky or precarious situation

15. “Ice in your veins” refers to:

a) Someone who is physically very cold
b) Someone who is calm and composed under pressure
c) Someone who enjoys winter sports
d) Someone who has a cold personality

Answer: b) Someone who is calm and composed under pressure

16. To “chase snowflakes” means:

a) To enjoy winter sports
b) To pursue something unattainable or unrealistic
c) To collect snow for a snowman
d) To catch falling snowflakes

Answer: b) To pursue something unattainable or unrealistic

17. “As cold as the grave” is used to describe:

a) Something that is warm
b) Someone who is emotionally distant or lifeless
c) A place covered in ice
d) A place full of life

Answer: b) Someone who is emotionally distant or lifeless

18. If someone says, “he stole my thunder,” it means:

a) They took credit for someone else’s idea or achievement
b) They made a loud noise
c) They caused a storm
d) They were very creative

Answer: a) They took credit for someone else’s idea or achievement

19. “Blow hot and cold” describes someone who:

a) Is always warm
b) Is unpredictable or inconsistent in their behavior
c) Is very kind
d) Is always angry

Answer: b) Is unpredictable or inconsistent in their behavior

20. “A warm welcome” refers to:

a) A greeting filled with kindness and hospitality
b) A cold reception
c) A welcoming gesture with gifts
d) A hug in the winter

Answer: a) A greeting filled with kindness and hospitality

Conclusion

Winter idioms beautifully capture the essence of the season, from the chill in the air to the warmth of relationships. Using these expressions can add color to conversations and bring winter’s emotions to life.