Idioms are vibrant, figurative expressions that add a soothing layer of imagery and charm to conversations, making discussions about relaxation more evocative and relatable. When describing moments of calm, rest, or unwinding from life’s pressures, idioms offer a creative way to capture the essence of tranquility and leisure. In this extensive listicle, we’ll explore 53 idioms related to relaxation, unpack their meanings, and illustrate how they can infuse a sense of calm and ease into your conversations about taking it easy. So, let’s sink into this collection of idiomatic oases and discover how they can enrich your descriptions of restful moments.
What is an Idiom for Relax?
Idioms for relaxation are figurative phrases that use metaphorical language to describe states of rest, calmness, leisure, or the act of unwinding from stress or work. These expressions often draw from nature, everyday activities, or vivid imagery to convey the feeling of peace and ease in a memorable and engaging way. Whether you’re talking about lounging on a lazy afternoon, de-stressing after a hectic day, or enjoying a carefree moment, these idioms can make your language more expressive and serene. Below, we’ll explore each idiom, clarify its meaning, and provide a long sentence to demonstrate its use in the context of relaxation.
Idioms for Relax
1. Kick Back
Meaning: To relax and take it easy, often in a casual or leisurely manner.
In a Sentence: After a grueling week at work, she decided to kick back on the weekend, lounging on her porch with a cool drink and a good book to soak in the peaceful afternoon.
2. Let Your Hair Down
Meaning: To behave freely and relax without worrying about appearances or expectations.
In a Sentence: At the beach party, she finally let her hair down, dancing barefoot in the sand and laughing with friends as the stress of the week melted away under the starry sky.
3. Take a Load Off
Meaning: To sit down and relax, relieving physical or mental burdens.
In a Sentence: Exhausted from the long hike, he was thrilled to take a load off by the campfire, sinking into a chair and letting the crackling flames lull him into a state of calm.
4. Chill Out
Meaning: To calm down or relax, often after being stressed or upset.
In a Sentence: When tensions rose during the meeting, she told everyone to chill out, suggesting they take a break to sip coffee and regroup in a more relaxed frame of mind.
5. Put Your Feet Up
Meaning: To rest or relax, typically by sitting or lying down with feet elevated.
In a Sentence: After cleaning the house all morning, she put her feet up on the couch, savoring the quiet moment with a cup of tea and the gentle hum of her favorite music.
6. Take It Easy
Meaning: To relax and avoid overexertion or stress.
In a Sentence: The doctor advised him to take it easy after his surgery, recommending he spend his days reading, napping, and enjoying light walks to aid his recovery.
7. Wind Down
Meaning: To gradually relax or reduce activity, often at the end of a busy day.
In a Sentence: After a hectic day of meetings, she loved to wind down with a warm bath, soft candlelight, and a glass of wine, letting the day’s stresses slip away.
8. Cool Your Jets
Meaning: To calm down or relax, especially when overly excited or agitated.
In a Sentence: When he started panicking about the deadline, his colleague told him to cool his jets, suggesting a short walk to clear his mind and approach the task calmly.
9. Lay Low
Meaning: To stay out of the spotlight and relax quietly, avoiding attention or activity.
In a Sentence: After the chaotic family reunion, she chose to lay low for a few days, retreating to her cozy apartment to binge-watch shows and recharge in solitude.
10. Catch Your Breath
Meaning: To pause and rest, often to recover energy or composure.
In a Sentence: After rushing through errands all morning, she stopped at a café to catch her breath, sipping a latte and watching the world go by in a moment of calm reflection.
11. Take a Breather
Meaning: To take a short break to rest or relax.
In a Sentence: In the middle of her intense study session, she took a breather, stepping outside to feel the breeze and stretch her limbs before diving back into her books.
12. Let Off Steam
Meaning: To release stress or pent-up energy, often through relaxing or fun activities.
In a Sentence: After a stressful week, he let off steam by going for a long run, the rhythmic pounding of his feet on the trail helping him unwind and clear his mind.
13. Ease Up
Meaning: To reduce effort or intensity, allowing for relaxation.
In a Sentence: With the project nearly complete, she decided to ease up, spending the evening curled up with a blanket and a lighthearted movie to celebrate her progress.
14. Loosen Up
Meaning: To relax physically or emotionally, becoming less tense or rigid.
In a Sentence: At the yoga retreat, she learned to loosen up, her body and mind softening with each gentle stretch as she embraced the serene atmosphere of the studio.
15. Go with the Flow
Meaning: To relax and accept things as they happen without resistance.
In a Sentence: On her vacation, she chose to go with the flow, letting the day’s adventures unfold naturally as she wandered through markets and relaxed by the seaside.
16. Hang Loose
Meaning: To stay relaxed and carefree, often in a laid-back manner.
In a Sentence: During their tropical getaway, they decided to hang loose, spending their days lounging under palm trees and sipping cocktails without a care in the world.
17. Take Five
Meaning: To take a short break to rest or relax, often for a few minutes.
In a Sentence: In the midst of a busy workday, she took five to step away from her desk, breathing deeply and enjoying a quick stretch to refresh her focus.
18. Unwind Your Mind
Meaning: To relax mentally, letting go of stress or worries.
In a Sentence: After a demanding day, she unwound her mind with a guided meditation, the soothing voice guiding her to a place of calm where her worries dissolved.
19. Veg Out
Meaning: To relax in a passive, mindless way, often by watching TV or doing nothing.
In a Sentence: Exhausted from her week, she decided to veg out on the couch, binge-watching her favorite series while munching on snacks in a blissful state of inertia.
20. Recharge Your Batteries
Meaning: To rest and regain energy, often through relaxing activities.
In a Sentence: After months of non-stop work, he took a weekend retreat to recharge his batteries, hiking in the mountains and sleeping under the stars to restore his spirit.
21. Take a Chill Pill
Meaning: To calm down or relax, often said humorously to someone stressed.
In a Sentence: When he started freaking out about the party plans, his friend told him to take a chill pill, suggesting they sit back with some music to ease the tension.
22. Bask in the Moment
Meaning: To fully enjoy and relax in a pleasant situation.
In a Sentence: On the sunny beach, she basked in the moment, feeling the warm sand between her toes and the gentle waves lulling her into a state of pure tranquility.
22. Bask in the Moment
Meaning: To fully enjoy and relax in a pleasant situation.
In a Sentence: On the sunny beach, she basked in the moment, feeling the warm sand between her toes and the gentle waves lulling her into a state of pure tranquility.
23. Zone Out
Meaning: To relax by letting the mind wander, often losing focus on surroundings.
In a Sentence: While listening to soft music, she zoned out on the balcony, her thoughts drifting aimlessly as the city lights twinkled in the distance, offering a serene escape.
24. Let It All Hang Out
Meaning: To relax completely and be yourself without inhibitions.
In a Sentence: At the cozy cabin retreat, she let it all hang out, laughing freely with friends and shedding the pressures of work in a warm, judgment-free atmosphere.
25. Take the Edge Off
Meaning: To reduce stress or tension, often through a relaxing activity.
In a Sentence: A glass of wine and a warm bath took the edge off after her stressful day, helping her transition into a calm evening of reading and reflection.
26. Mellow Out
Meaning: To become calm and relaxed, often after excitement or stress.
In a Sentence: After the adrenaline of the concert, she mellowed out at home, sipping herbal tea and listening to acoustic tunes to ease into a peaceful night.
27. Drift Off
Meaning: To relax so deeply that you fall asleep or lose awareness.
In a Sentence: Lying in the hammock under the trees, she drifted off, the gentle swaying and birdsong lulling her into a restful nap that rejuvenated her soul.
28. Sink Into
Meaning: To deeply relax into a comfortable or calming situation.
In a Sentence: She sank into the plush armchair with a cozy blanket, letting the crackling fireplace and a good novel envelop her in a cocoon of relaxation.
29. Decompress
Meaning: To release stress and relax after a tense or busy period.
In a Sentence: After the intense project deadline, he decompressed by spending the weekend fishing, the quiet lake and gentle ripples helping him find inner peace.
30. Catch Some Z’s
Meaning: To take a nap or sleep to rest and relax.
In a Sentence: Feeling drained after the long drive, she caught some Z’s on the hotel bed, the brief nap restoring her energy for the evening’s adventures.
31. Lounge Around
Meaning: To relax lazily, often doing little or nothing productive.
In a Sentence: On her day off, she lounged around in pajamas, sipping coffee and flipping through magazines while the world outside carried on without her.
32. Soak Up
Meaning: To fully absorb and enjoy a relaxing experience or atmosphere.
In a Sentence: At the spa, she soaked up the tranquil ambiance, letting the warm sauna and fragrant oils wash away the tension that had built up over weeks.
33. Kick Your Shoes Off
Meaning: To relax and make yourself comfortable, often literally removing shoes.
In a Sentence: Arriving home after a long day, she kicked her shoes off and collapsed onto the sofa, ready to unwind with her favorite TV show and a bowl of popcorn.
34. Take a Back Seat
Meaning: To step back and let others take charge, allowing relaxation.
In a Sentence: During the group trip, she took a back seat, letting her friends plan the itinerary while she relaxed and enjoyed the spontaneous adventures.
35. Rest on Your Laurels
Meaning: To relax and rely on past successes without further effort.
In a Sentence: After completing the major project, she rested on her laurels for a bit, taking time to relax and celebrate her achievement before tackling new challenges.
36. Lighten Up
Meaning: To relax and not take things too seriously.
In a Sentence: When he got too stressed about the game, his friend told him to lighten up, suggesting they grab a drink and enjoy the fun without worrying about the score.
37. Slip Into Something Comfortable
Meaning: To relax by changing into cozy or casual clothing.
In a Sentence: After the formal event, she slipped into something comfortable, trading her heels for sweatpants and settling into a relaxing evening with her favorite book.
38. Blow Off Steam
Meaning: To relieve stress through a relaxing or energetic activity.
In a Sentence: To blow off steam after a tough day, he went to the gym, the vigorous workout helping him release tension and return home feeling refreshed.
39. Get Away from It All
Meaning: To escape daily stresses by relaxing in a new environment.
In a Sentence: They decided to get away from it all, booking a cabin in the mountains where they could relax by the fire and disconnect from their hectic lives.
40. Settle Down
Meaning: To calm down and relax, often after excitement or agitation.
In a Sentence: After the kids went to bed, she settled down with a cup of chamomile tea, the quiet house allowing her to relax and savor the peaceful moment.
41. Take the Weight Off Your Shoulders
Meaning: To relieve a burden or stress, allowing relaxation.
In a Sentence: Finishing the report took the weight off her shoulders, freeing her to relax with a leisurely stroll through the park, feeling lighter with every step.
42. Breathe Easy
Meaning: To relax and feel relieved after a stressful situation.
In a Sentence: Once the exam was over, she could breathe easy, spending the afternoon napping in the sun to celebrate the end of her academic pressures.
43. Laze Around
Meaning: To relax idly, often doing nothing productive.
In a Sentence: On the rainy Sunday, she lazed around the house, curled up with a blanket and a movie marathon, embracing the guilt-free pleasure of doing nothing.
44. Kick It
Meaning: To relax and enjoy casual, carefree time.
In a Sentence: After the busy festival, they kicked it at a friend’s house, lounging on the patio and swapping stories under the warm glow of string lights.
45. Rest Easy
Meaning: To relax with peace of mind, free from worry.
In a Sentence: Knowing her family was safe, she rested easy, sinking into her bed with a novel and letting the quiet night wrap her in calm contentment.
46. Slow Down
Meaning: To reduce pace or intensity, allowing time for relaxation.
In a Sentence: The therapist urged her to slow down, recommending she carve out time for yoga and meditation to relax and reconnect with her inner calm.
47. Take a Step Back
Meaning: To pause and relax by distancing oneself from a busy situation.
In a Sentence: Overwhelmed by work, she took a step back, spending a quiet weekend gardening to relax and gain perspective before diving back into her tasks.
48. Unplug
Meaning: To disconnect from technology or responsibilities to relax.
In a Sentence: To truly relax, she unplugged for the weekend, leaving her phone behind and hiking through the forest to immerse herself in nature’s tranquility.
49. Find Your Zen
Meaning: To achieve a state of calm and relaxation, often through mindfulness.
In a Sentence: During her morning meditation, she found her zen, the gentle breathing exercises helping her relax and start the day with a clear, peaceful mind.
50. Chillax
Meaning: A blend of “chill” and “relax,” meaning to relax in a very casual way.
In a Sentence: After the exam, they chillaxed by the pool, floating on inflatables and chatting about nothing in particular, savoring the carefree summer vibe.
51. Put the Brakes On
Meaning: To slow down or stop to relax and avoid burnout.
In a Sentence: Realizing she was overworked, she put the brakes on, taking a day to relax with a long walk and a picnic to restore her energy and balance.
52. Let Go
Meaning: To release stress or worries, allowing relaxation.
In a Sentence: During her beach vacation, she let go of her anxieties, the sound of crashing waves and warm sand helping her relax into a state of pure bliss.
53. Ease Into
Meaning: To gradually transition into a relaxed state or activity.
In a Sentence: She eased into the weekend with a leisurely breakfast on the patio, sipping coffee and reading the paper as the morning sun warmed her relaxed spirit.
Quizzes About The Idioms in The Article
Quiz 1: Kick Back
What does the idiom “Kick back” mean?
a) To work harder
b) To relax casually
c) To start a project
d) To get upset
Quiz 2: Let Your Hair Down
What is the meaning of “Let your hair down”?
a) To behave formally
b) To relax freely
c) To get angry
d) To focus intensely
Quiz 3: Take a Load Off
When someone says “Take a load off,” what are they suggesting?
a) To increase stress
b) To sit and relax
c) To work faster
d) To leave quickly
Quiz 4: Chill Out
What does the idiom “Chill out” suggest?
a) To stay stressed
b) To calm down
c) To rush around
d) To argue loudly
Quiz 5: Put Your Feet Up
What situation is described by the idiom “Put your feet up”?
a) Starting a task
b) Resting comfortably
c) Running quickly
d) Feeling anxious
Quiz 6: Wind Down
If someone is “winding down,” what are they doing?
a) Getting excited
b) Gradually relaxing
c) Working harder
d) Planning ahead
Quiz 7: Take a Breather
What does the expression “Take a breather” imply?
a) To hold your breath
b) To take a short break
c) To exercise vigorously
d) To stay focused
Quiz 8: Veg Out
When is it appropriate to say “Veg out”?
a) When working diligently
b) When relaxing passively
c) When starting a hobby
d) When feeling stressed
Quiz 9: Recharge Your Batteries
What is the meaning of “Recharge your batteries”?
a) To exhaust yourself
b) To rest and regain energy
c) To buy new equipment
d) To increase workload
Quiz 10: Bask in the Moment
When someone is “basking in the moment,” what are they doing?
a) Feeling stressed
b) Fully enjoying a pleasant time
c) Planning the future
d) Ignoring their surroundings
Answers:
- b
- b
- b
- b
- b
- b
- b
- b
- b
- b
Conclusion
Idioms for relaxation are like gentle breezes in the language, carrying a sense of calm, ease, and leisure into your conversations about unwinding and finding peace. Whether you’re describing a lazy afternoon, a stress-relieving activity, or a moment of carefree tranquility, these 53 idioms provide a poetic and engaging way to convey the beauty of relaxation. By incorporating these expressions into your discussions, you can add warmth, humor, and relatability, making your descriptions of restful moments more vivid and inviting. So, the next time you talk about taking a break or savoring a calm moment, sprinkle in these idioms to ease your words into a soothing rhythm.