Mother’s Day is a special day when we show love and thanks to our moms. People use many fun phrases called idioms to talk about moms and this day. Idioms are sayings that mean more than the words alone. They help us share feelings in a creative way. Learning idioms about Mother’s Day can help us express our love better and make our words more interesting.
In this article, you will find 30 idioms about Mother’s Day. Each idiom will have a meaning and examples that are easy to understand. We will also have a short activity where you can find some of these idioms in a story. These idioms will help you talk about moms and the special things they do. Let’s get started and learn more about the fun ways to celebrate Mother’s Day with words.
Idioms about Mothers Day
1. Hear it on the grapevine
Meaning: To hear news from someone else, not directly.
Samples: I heard on the grapevine that Mom is planning a special dinner. / She heard it on the grapevine that Grandma is coming to visit.
To Put it Another Way: I got the news from friends. / Someone told me, but not straight from Mom.
2. In one ear and out the other
Meaning: When someone does not pay attention and quickly forgets what they hear.
Samples: Mom asked me to help clean, but it went in one ear and out the other. / Dad’s instructions went in one ear and out the other during the busy morning.
To Put it Another Way: I didn’t really listen. / I forgot what I was told quickly.
3. Bend someone’s ear
Meaning: To talk to someone for a long time, usually about a problem.
Samples: I bent Mom’s ear about my day at school. / She bent Grandma’s ear asking for advice on a project.
To Put it Another Way: I talked to them a lot. / I told them all my worries.
4. Play it by ear
Meaning: To decide what to do as things happen, without a plan.
Samples: We didn’t plan the Mother’s Day picnic well, so we played it by ear. / Let’s play it by ear and see how Mom likes the surprise.
To Put it Another Way: We made decisions as we went. / We didn’t have a set plan.
5. The apple of one’s eye
Meaning: Someone very special and loved a lot.
Samples: Mom is the apple of my eye. / My little sister is Dad’s apple of his eye.
To Put it Another Way: She is very loved. / He means the world to me.
6. Like two peas in a pod
Meaning: Two people who are very close and alike.
Samples: Mom and Grandma are like two peas in a pod. / My sister and I are like two peas in a pod when we help Mom.
To Put it Another Way: We are very close. / We are alike in many ways.
7. A shoulder to cry on
Meaning: Someone who listens and helps when you are sad.
Samples: Mom is always a shoulder to cry on when I’m upset. / Grandma gave me a shoulder to cry on after I fell at school.
To Put it Another Way: Someone who cares. / Someone who helps when you feel sad.
8. The heart of the family
Meaning: The most important and loving person in the family.
Samples: Mom is the heart of the family. / Grandma is the heart of our family gatherings.
To Put it Another Way: The most loving person. / The center of the family’s love.
9. To wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve
Meaning: To show feelings openly.
Samples: Mom wears her heart on her sleeve when she talks about us. / Dad wears his heart on his sleeve when he says how proud he is.
To Put it Another Way: Shows feelings clearly. / Doesn’t hide emotions.
10. To bring home the bacon
Meaning: To earn money or take care of the family.
Samples: Mom works hard to bring home the bacon. / Dad brings home the bacon for our family.
To Put it Another Way: Takes care of family needs. / Earns money for the family.
11. To be the glue that holds the family together
Meaning: The person who keeps the family close and happy.
Samples: Mom is the glue that holds the family together. / Grandma is the glue in our big family.
To Put it Another Way: Keeps the family close. / Makes the family happy and strong.
12. To put one’s foot down
Meaning: To be firm about something.
Samples: Mom put her foot down and said no more TV before homework. / Dad put his foot down about going to bed on time.
To Put it Another Way: Being strict. / Saying no clearly.
13. To have a heart of gold
Meaning: To be very kind and caring.
Samples: Mom has a heart of gold and helps everyone. / Grandma’s heart of gold makes her loved by all.
To Put it Another Way: Very kind. / Caring a lot.
14. To walk a mile in someone’s shoes
Meaning: To understand what someone else is feeling.
Samples: I tried to walk a mile in Mom’s shoes and help more at home. / We need to walk a mile in Grandma’s shoes to see how hard she works.
To Put it Another Way: Understand someone better. / See things from their view.
15. To give someone the cold shoulder
Meaning: To ignore someone or be unfriendly.
Samples: Mom gave me the cold shoulder when I forgot to call her. / Dad gave me the cold shoulder after I broke the vase.
To Put it Another Way: Ignored someone. / Was unfriendly.
16. To pull someone’s leg
Meaning: To joke or tease someone.
Samples: Mom was pulling my leg when she said I was the best cook. / Grandma pulled my leg about my messy room.
To Put it Another Way: Joking around. / Teasing in a fun way.
17. To be on the same page
Meaning: To agree or understand each other.
Samples: Mom and I were on the same page about the weekend plans. / Grandma and I are on the same page about the recipe.
To Put it Another Way: Agreeing. / Understanding each other.
18. To hit the nail on the head
Meaning: To say something exactly right.
Samples: Mom hit the nail on the head when she said I needed more sleep. / Dad hit the nail on the head about cleaning up the mess.
To Put it Another Way: Said exactly what is true. / Got it right.
19. To break the ice
Meaning: To start talking and feel comfortable.
Samples: Mom helped break the ice when meeting new family friends. / Grandma broke the ice by telling a funny story.
To Put it Another Way: Made talking easier. / Helped people feel comfortable.
20. To get something off one’s chest
Meaning: To talk about something that worries you.
Samples: I got it off my chest when I told Mom about my school problem. / Grandma helped me get it off my chest when I felt sad.
To Put it Another Way: Talked about worries. / Felt better after sharing.
21. To have one’s hands full
Meaning: To be very busy or have many things to do.
Samples: Mom has her hands full taking care of us and working. / Grandma had her hands full with all the kids around.
To Put it Another Way: Very busy. / Lots to do.
22. To keep one’s chin up
Meaning: To stay positive even when things are hard.
Samples: Mom told me to keep my chin up after I failed the test. / Grandma keeps her chin up even when she feels tired.
To Put it Another Way: Stay hopeful. / Don’t give up.
23. To jump the gun
Meaning: To do something too soon or before it’s ready.
Samples: I jumped the gun and gave Mom her gift early. / Grandma said I jumped the gun by starting dinner too soon.
To Put it Another Way: Did something too early. / Didn’t wait long enough.
24. To bend over backwards
Meaning: To try very hard to help someone.
Samples: Mom bent over backwards to make sure I had a good birthday. / Grandma bent over backwards to help with my homework.
To Put it Another Way: Tried very hard. / Did a lot to help.
25. To be a tower of strength
Meaning: To be very strong and supportive.
Samples: Mom is a tower of strength during hard times. / Grandma was a tower of strength when Grandpa was sick.
To Put it Another Way: Very strong. / Gives a lot of support.
26. To call the shots
Meaning: To be the one who makes the decisions.
Samples: Mom calls the shots when planning family trips. / Grandma calls the shots during holiday dinners.
To Put it Another Way: Makes decisions. / In charge.
27. To get one’s act together
Meaning: To start doing things well and organized.
Samples: Mom told me to get my act together before school. / Grandma helped me get my act together with chores.
To Put it Another Way: Be organized. / Do things better.
28. To put one’s nose to the grindstone
Meaning: To work hard without stopping.
Samples: Mom puts her nose to the grindstone when working late. / Grandma put her nose to the grindstone to finish the quilt.
To Put it Another Way: Works hard. / Doesn’t give up.
29. To have a heart-to-heart
Meaning: To have a serious and honest talk.
Samples: Mom and I had a heart-to-heart about my grades. / Grandma had a heart-to-heart with me about friendship.
To Put it Another Way: Honest talk. / Serious conversation.
30. To be the light of someone’s life
Meaning: The person who makes someone very happy.
Samples: Mom is the light of Dad’s life. / I am the light of Grandma’s life.
To Put it Another Way: Makes someone very happy. / Brings joy to life.
Find the Topics: Idioms about Mother’s Day
Last Sunday was Mother’s Day, and our family planned a special surprise for Mom. I heard it on the grapevine that she loved tulips, so we bought a big bouquet. Mom usually tells us to keep our rooms clean, but sometimes her words go in one ear and out the other. This time, I bent her ear with stories about school while Dad played it by ear to decide what to cook.
Mom is truly the heart of the family, always keeping us close and happy. She sometimes puts her foot down about bedtime, but she has a heart of gold and helps everyone. After dinner, we had a heart-to-heart talk about how much we love her. It was a day full of smiles and warm feelings.
Task: Underline or list all 8 idioms you found in this story.
Answer Key
- Heard it on the grapevine
- In one ear and out the other
- Bent her ear
- Played it by ear
- Heart of the family
- Put her foot down
- Heart of gold
- Heart-to-heart
Conclusion
Idioms about Mother’s Day help us say special things about moms in a fun way. They make talking and writing more interesting by using phrases that mean more than just the words. When we use these idioms, we show love, care, and respect for our moms.
Learning these phrases lets us share feelings in a clear and creative way. Whether you’re telling a story or writing a card, idioms help make your words shine. Remember, moms are special every day, and these idioms help us celebrate them better.
