Waves are a part of nature that many people see at the beach. They move up and down and can be big or small. Waves are powerful and can change the way the ocean looks. Because waves are so interesting, people use them in language to explain feelings and ideas in fun ways. These special phrases are called idioms.
Idioms about waves help us talk about things like change, feelings, and how life moves forward. When we use these idioms, we can describe ideas in a clearer and more creative way. In this article, you will learn about 30 idioms that use waves to show different meanings. You will also get a chance to find some of these idioms in a fun story.
Idioms about Waves
1. Riding the wave
Meaning: Going along with something that is going well.
Samples: After winning the game, she kept riding the wave of success. / He rode the wave of good luck all week.
To Put it Another Way: I stayed on track with my good fortune. / I kept moving forward while things were good.
2. Make waves
Meaning: To cause a change or disturbance.
Samples: The new student made waves by suggesting a new club. / He made waves when he spoke up in class.
To Put it Another Way: I caused some changes. / I got people’s attention with my ideas.
3. Wave of emotion
Meaning: A strong feeling that comes suddenly.
Samples: A wave of emotion hit her when she saw her puppy. / He felt a wave of sadness after the movie ended.
To Put it Another Way: I had a strong feeling all at once. / My feelings came quickly and powerfully.
4. Go with the flow
Meaning: To accept what happens and not try to control it.
Samples: At the party, I just went with the flow and had fun. / Sometimes it’s best to go with the flow and not worry too much.
To Put it Another Way: I didn’t fight the situation. / I let things happen naturally.
5. Take a wave
Meaning: To face a difficult time or challenge.
Samples: She took a wave of problems but didn’t give up. / He took the wave when the test was hard.
To Put it Another Way: I faced a tough time. / I handled the challenge.
6. Wave goodbye
Meaning: To say goodbye by moving your hand.
Samples: We waved goodbye to our friends at the airport. / She waved goodbye as the bus left.
To Put it Another Way: I said goodbye with my hand. / I showed I was leaving.
7. Break the wave
Meaning: To stop or slow down a problem or action.
Samples: The team broke the wave of losing by winning the next game. / She broke the wave of noise by asking for quiet.
To Put it Another Way: I stopped the problem. / I made things calm again.
8. Wave of support
Meaning: A lot of help or kindness coming from many people.
Samples: After the fire, there was a wave of support from the community. / The team got a wave of support from fans.
To Put it Another Way: Many people helped. / I felt kindness from a group.
9. Catch the wave
Meaning: To join in at the right time.
Samples: He caught the wave by joining the dance at just the right moment. / They caught the wave of a new trend at school.
To Put it Another Way: I joined at the perfect time. / I took the chance when it came.
10. A rising tide lifts all boats
Meaning: When something improves, it helps everyone.
Samples: The new school rules helped all students, like a rising tide lifts all boats. / When the team worked harder, everyone got better.
To Put it Another Way: When one thing gets better, it helps others too. / Success for one is success for all.
11. Wave of change
Meaning: A big change that happens quickly.
Samples: There was a wave of change when the principal started new rules. / The community saw a wave of change after the new park opened.
To Put it Another Way: A big change happened fast. / Things became different all at once.
12. Making waves
Meaning: Creating excitement or trouble by acting differently.
Samples: The new player was making waves with his skills. / She was making waves by asking lots of questions.
To Put it Another Way: I got attention by acting in a new way. / I shook things up a bit.
13. Wave after wave
Meaning: Many things happening one after another.
Samples: Wave after wave of rain fell all night. / Wave after wave of people came to the concert.
To Put it Another Way: Things happened again and again. / Many things came one after the other.
14. Wave of excitement
Meaning: A strong feeling of happiness or energy.
Samples: A wave of excitement ran through the crowd before the game. / She felt a wave of excitement when she got the gift.
To Put it Another Way: Everyone was very happy all at once. / I felt very excited suddenly.
15. Wash over (like a wave)
Meaning: A feeling or thought that comes all at once.
Samples: A feeling of calm washed over her like a wave. / The sadness washed over him after the news.
To Put it Another Way: The feeling came quickly. / It covered me like water.
16. Waves of laughter
Meaning: Lots of people laughing one after another.
Samples: Waves of laughter filled the classroom after the joke. / The comedy show brought waves of laughter.
To Put it Another Way: Many people laughed one after the other. / The room was full of laughs.
17. Wave off
Meaning: To refuse or ignore something by moving your hand.
Samples: She waved off the offer to help. / He waved off the question and didn’t answer.
To Put it Another Way: I said no by waving my hand. / I ignored it with a hand motion.
18. Wave a red flag
Meaning: To warn about a problem.
Samples: The broken bridge was a wave of a red flag for drivers. / His missing homework was a wave of a red flag to the teacher.
To Put it Another Way: It showed there was trouble. / It warned people something was wrong.
19. Wave of relief
Meaning: A strong feeling of being happy after worry.
Samples: A wave of relief came after the test was over. / She felt a wave of relief when her pet came home safe.
To Put it Another Way: I felt happy after being scared. / The worry went away suddenly.
20. Wave a magic wand
Meaning: To make something better quickly or easily.
Samples: He wished he could wave a magic wand and finish homework fast. / If only I could wave a magic wand and fix the broken toy.
To Put it Another Way: To fix something easily. / To make things better with no trouble.
21. Wave of nostalgia
Meaning: A strong feeling of remembering the past.
Samples: Looking at old photos gave her a wave of nostalgia. / He felt a wave of nostalgia when visiting his old school.
To Put it Another Way: I remembered old times happily. / The past came back in my thoughts.
22. Make a big splash (wave)
Meaning: To get a lot of attention.
Samples: Her new song made a big splash at the school concert. / The movie made a big splash when it came out.
To Put it Another Way: I got noticed by many people. / I was the center of attention.
23. Wave in
Meaning: To allow someone to come in or join.
Samples: The teacher waved in the late students. / The lifeguard waved in the swimmers to the pool.
To Put it Another Way: I let someone come inside. / I invited someone to join.
24. Throw caution to the wind (wave)
Meaning: To take a risk without worrying.
Samples: She threw caution to the wind and tried the big slide. / He took a chance and went for the swim without fear.
To Put it Another Way: I stopped worrying and tried something new. / I took a risk.
25. Wave the white flag
Meaning: To give up or admit defeat.
Samples: After many tries, he waved the white flag and asked for help. / The team waved the white flag and stopped playing.
To Put it Another Way: I gave up. / I said I couldn’t do it anymore.
26. Wave a hand
Meaning: To signal or say hello/goodbye with your hand.
Samples: She waved a hand to her friend across the room. / He waved a hand to say goodbye.
To Put it Another Way: I said hi or bye with my hand. / I made a sign with my hand.
27. On the crest of a wave
Meaning: At a high point or moment of success.
Samples: The team was on the crest of a wave after winning three games. / She felt on the crest of a wave with her good grades.
To Put it Another Way: I was at my best moment. / I was doing really well.
28. Wave of change
Meaning: A sudden big change.
Samples: There was a wave of change when the school started new rules. / The city felt a wave of change after the festival.
To Put it Another Way: Things changed quickly. / New things happened fast.
29. Surf the wave
Meaning: To enjoy or take advantage of something going well.
Samples: He surfed the wave of popularity after his funny video. / She surfed the wave of good grades all year.
To Put it Another Way: I enjoyed my success. / I used my chance well.
30. Wash your hands of something (wave)
Meaning: To stop being responsible for something.
Samples: He washed his hands of the broken project after trying hard. / She washed her hands of the argument and walked away.
To Put it Another Way: I stopped dealing with it. / I left it alone.
Find the Topics: Idioms about Waves
Last Saturday, Maya and her friends went to the beach for a fun day. When they arrived, Maya was riding the wave of excitement. The sun was shining, and the water looked perfect. Everyone decided to go with the flow and enjoy the day without any plans.
While they played, Jake tried to catch a wave to join a group surfing lesson. He was a little nervous but happy to join in at the right moment. Later, Maya noticed a wave of laughter coming from the sandcastle contest nearby. Kids were laughing and having a great time building their castles.
After some time, dark clouds appeared, and a wave of change swept through the beach. People started packing up their things. Maya’s friend Emma didn’t want to leave and tried to make waves by asking if they could stay longer. But the lifeguard had to wave them off and ask everyone to head back for safety.
On their way home, Maya felt a wave of relief knowing they had a fun day. She couldn’t wait to go back again and maybe even ride the wave of good luck at the next beach trip.
Activity:
Underline or list all 8 idioms about waves you found in the story.
Answer Key
- Riding the wave
- Go with the flow
- Catch the wave
- Wave of laughter
- Wave of change
- Make waves
- Wave off
- Wave of relief
Conclusion
Idioms about waves help us describe feelings, changes, and actions in a clear and interesting way. Using these phrases can make talking and writing more fun. When we hear about riding waves or making waves, we can understand things better because of the pictures these idioms create. Learning and using wave idioms is a good way to explain ideas simply and clearly.
