New Year and Christmas Idioms

New Year and Christmas Idioms

White Elephant - an expensive and enormous but unwanted gift - непрактичный подарок

Jim's Father has presented him a Jeep, but this car is a white elephant because the petrol is very expensive.

Don't be a Scrooge - don't be stingy - быть скрягой

Jim says he's giving his employees a holiday bonus this year. I told him, "Don't be a Scrooge! "

Christmas came early (this year) – в этом году Рождество началось раньше – используй это выражение, когда узнаешь очень хорошие новости.

Did you hear that we have bought a new apartment? - Oh, great! Christmas came early this year!

The more the merrier – чем больше (людей), например, на празднике, , тем веселее всем будет!

– Can I bring my girlfriend to the holiday party?

– Sure, the more the merrier.

Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth – “дареному коню в зубы не смотрят” - нужно быть благодарными за полученные подарки, даже если это не совсем то, о чем ты мечтал.

I don't like his present. I wanted another one! - Calm down, you shoudn't look a gift horse in the mouth.

To trim the tree – украшать новогоднюю/рождественскую ёлку, как правило, всей семьей.

My family usually trims the Christmas tree with red and green lights and wooden ornaments.

Don’t get your tinsel in a tangle – дословно: не запутай свою мишуру в узел/клубок, т.е. не испорти себе праздник в погоне за тем, чтобы сделать его слишком идеальным. Перфекционисты, берите на заметку.

You’re trying too hard. Have a break, don’t get your tinsel in a tangle.

Christmas comes but once a year – Рождество бывает раз в году – идиома для тех, кто любит позволить себе отметить праздник с размахом и ни в чем себе не отказывать.

Come on, eat one more piece, Christmas comes but once a year!

The holiday spirit – праздничный дух (настроение) - отличный ингредиент для настоящего веселого Рождества.

Christmas isn’t here yet but I’m already feeling the holiday spirit.

Рождество еще не наступило, а я уже в праздничном настроении.

Stocking stuffer – маленький подарок, который влезет в рождественский носок.

Maddie went to the store today to look for some stocking stuffers for the children.

Light up like a Christmas tree -дословный перевод: загораться как елка. Употребляется, когда какое-то событие или ситуация заметно порадовали кого-либо.

She lit up like a Christmas tree when she saw the results of the exam!

Christmas Idioms in Different Contexts

Christmas Came Early

The idiom “Christmas came early” is often used to express that something very good and unexpected has happened, much like the excitement and surprise that might be felt if Christmas, a time typically associated with receiving gifts and happy occasions, were to come before its usual date.

Receiving an Unexpected Gift or Reward:

• Situation: Your employer decides to give all employees a bonus due to the company’s exceptional performance for the quarter.
• Example: “I can’t believe we’re getting bonuses this month. It feels like Christmas came early!”

Good News or Positive Outcome Sooner Than Anticipated:

• Situation: A student is waiting for the results of a critical exam and finds out they passed with high marks a week before the results were expected.
• Example: “I was so nervous about the results, but I passed with an A! Christmas came early for me this year.”

Early Arrival of Something Awaited or Desired:

• Situation: A video game enthusiast has been waiting for the release of a highly anticipated game, which unexpectedly gets released several weeks ahead of schedule.
• Example: “The game was supposed to come out next month, but it’s available to download today. It’s like Christmas came early for gamers!”

Like Turkeys Voting For Christmas

The idiom “like turkeys voting for Christmas” is used to describe a situation where individuals are choosing or supporting something that is clearly not in their best interests, much like turkeys would be acting against their own survival by supporting a holiday that traditionally involves eating turkey.

Employees Supporting a Policy That Could Lead to Job Cuts:

• Situation: Workers at a company are unknowingly advocating for a new automation system that will ultimately reduce the workforce.
• Example: “The staff is pushing for those new machines, but they don’t realize it could make their jobs obsolete. It’s like turkeys voting for Christmas.”

Voters Endorsing a Candidate Whose Policies Would Adversely Affect Them:

• Situation: A community supports a political candidate who is planning to remove public services that the community heavily relies on.
• Example: “The people in this district are endorsing the very politician who wants to cut their healthcare benefits. They’re like turkeys voting for Christmas.”

Consumers Choosing a Product That Is Detrimental to Their Well-Being:

• Situation: People are enthusiastically buying a new smartphone model despite it having known health risks and being under investigation for safety concerns.
• Example: “Everyone’s rushing to get the new model without considering the health warnings. It’s like turkeys voting for Christmas.”

To Light Up Like a Christmas Tree

The idiom “to light up like a Christmas tree” is used to describe something or someone becoming very bright, illuminated, or clearly visible, or someone showing a sudden burst of emotion, such as happiness or excitement. The phrase draws from the image of a Christmas tree, which is typically adorned with lights and decorations that make it stand out.

Someone Showing Obvious Happiness or Excitement:

• Situation: A child’s face shows immense joy upon seeing a surprise birthday party arranged by their parents.
• Example: “When Jamie walked into the room and saw the decorations and cake, he lit up like a Christmas tree.”

An Object or Display Becoming Brightly Illuminated:

• Situation: A building is suddenly lit up with decorative lights for an evening event.
• Example: “As the sun set, the entire skyscraper was switched on with festive lights, lighting up like a Christmas tree against the night sky.”

A Radar or Monitoring System Detecting Many Signals at Once:

• Situation: A radar screen shows multiple aircraft in an area at the same time.
• Example: “The air traffic controller’s screen lit up like a Christmas tree when the storm rerouted several flights through the sector.”

To Have a Blue Christmas

The idiom “to have a blue Christmas” refers to feeling sad, lonely, or depressed during the holiday season, which is typically a time of joy and celebration. The term “blue” is often associated with feelings of melancholy or sadness.

Experiencing Loneliness Due to Being Away from Family:

• Situation: An individual is unable to travel home for the holidays and is spending Christmas alone.
• Example: “With my family on the other side of the country and me stuck here because of work, it looks like I’m going to have a blue Christmas this year.”

Grieving During the Holidays After Losing a Loved One:

• Situation: Someone is facing their first Christmas after the passing of a close family member.
• Example: “Ever since grandma passed away, the festive season hasn’t been the same. It’s going to be a blue Christmas without her.”

Feeling Depressed Due to Personal Circumstances Despite the Festive Season:

• Situation: An individual is going through a tough time, such as a breakup or job loss, during the Christmas period.
• Example: “After the breakup with Sam, all the holiday cheer around me just makes me feel even sadder. I’m definitely having a blue Christmas.”

To Be As Busy As an Elf

The idiom “to be as busy as an elf” draws on the image of Santa’s elves, who are often depicted as extremely industrious workers, tirelessly making toys and preparing for Christmas. The phrase is used to describe someone who is very busy or working hard, especially in a bustling and energetic manner.

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