Adventure means going somewhere new or doing something exciting. It can be climbing a tree, exploring a forest, or trying a new game. People often use idioms, special phrases with meanings that are not clear from the words alone, to talk about adventures. These idioms make stories more interesting and fun.
In this article, you will learn 30 idioms about adventure. Each one comes with its meaning and examples to help you understand how to use it. There is also a short activity where you can find some idioms in a story. By the end, you will be able to use these idioms when talking about your own adventures at school, with friends, or at home. This will help make your stories lively and fun to hear.
Idioms for Adventure
1. Shoot for the stars
Meaning: To aim for a very high goal.
Samples: She shot for the stars and joined the science club. / I’m shooting for the stars by trying out for the basketball team.
To Put it Another Way: I want to reach a big goal. / I’m trying my hardest to succeed.
2. Starry-eyed
Meaning: Having big dreams or being very hopeful.
Samples: He was starry-eyed about becoming an astronaut. / She’s starry-eyed when she talks about her future.
To Put it Another Way: I dream a lot. / I feel very hopeful and excited.
3. Blaze a trail
Meaning: To do something new and exciting that others can follow.
Samples: They blazed a trail by starting a new hiking club. / I want to blaze a trail with my own inventions.
To Put it Another Way: I want to be the first to try something cool. / I’m leading the way for others.
4. Take the plunge
Meaning: To do something that is a little scary but exciting.
Samples: She took the plunge and signed up for the big race. / I took the plunge and asked to join the drama club.
To Put it Another Way: I tried something new even if it felt scary. / I made a brave choice.
5. Off the beaten path
Meaning: Going to a place that is not popular or known by many people.
Samples: We found a secret trail off the beaten path. / Our family loves exploring off the beaten path.
To Put it Another Way: We went somewhere different and special. / I like places not many people visit.
6. Jump in with both feet
Meaning: To start something with a lot of energy and excitement.
Samples: She jumped in with both feet when she joined the school play. / I jumped in with both feet on my first day at camp.
To Put it Another Way: I gave my best right away. / I started excited and ready.
7. Break new ground
Meaning: To try something that no one has done before.
Samples: He broke new ground by making a robot. / Our team is breaking new ground with a new game idea.
To Put it Another Way: I’m doing something new and special. / I’m the first to try this.
8. Go the extra mile
Meaning: To work harder than expected to reach a goal.
Samples: She went the extra mile by practicing every day. / I went the extra mile to finish my project early.
To Put it Another Way: I worked harder to do better. / I didn’t stop at just enough.
9. Take a leap of faith
Meaning: To try something even if you are not sure it will work.
Samples: He took a leap of faith by moving to a new school. / I took a leap of faith and joined the science fair.
To Put it Another Way: I tried something new without knowing the result. / I believed it would be okay.
10. Hit the road
Meaning: To start a journey or adventure.
Samples: We hit the road early for our camping trip. / I hit the road with my friends for a day at the beach.
To Put it Another Way: We began our trip. / We started our adventure.
11. On the right track
Meaning: Doing something the right way to succeed.
Samples: You’re on the right track by studying every day. / Our team is on the right track to win the game.
To Put it Another Way: I am doing things correctly. / We are moving toward success.
12. Out of your comfort zone
Meaning: Doing something that feels new or difficult.
Samples: I got out of my comfort zone by speaking in front of the class. / She tried new foods and was out of her comfort zone.
To Put it Another Way: I did something hard but good. / I tried something new even if it was scary.
13. Blaze your own trail
Meaning: To choose your own way and do things differently.
Samples: She blazes her own trail with her art. / I want to blaze my own trail and be a writer.
To Put it Another Way: I do things my own way. / I follow my own path.
14. Throw caution to the wind
Meaning: To take a risk without worrying about what could go wrong.
Samples: He threw caution to the wind and went skydiving. / I threw caution to the wind and tried out for the team.
To Put it Another Way: I stopped worrying and tried anyway. / I took a big chance.
15. In the driver’s seat
Meaning: To be in control of a situation.
Samples: I’m in the driver’s seat for planning the school trip. / She was in the driver’s seat during the group project.
To Put it Another Way: I am leading or in charge. / I control what happens.
16. Cross that bridge when you come to it
Meaning: To wait to deal with a problem until it happens.
Samples: Don’t worry now, we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. / I’ll handle the test when it comes, like crossing that bridge.
To Put it Another Way: I won’t stress before it happens. / I will deal with problems later.
17. Up in the air
Meaning: Not decided or unsure about something.
Samples: Our summer trip plans are still up in the air. / I don’t know yet where I’ll go; it’s up in the air.
To Put it Another Way: It’s not decided yet. / I’m unsure about what will happen.
18. On cloud nine
Meaning: Very happy or excited.
Samples: She was on cloud nine after winning the race. / I felt on cloud nine when I got an A on the test.
To Put it Another Way: I was very joyful. / I felt super happy.
19. Hold your horses
Meaning: Wait or be patient.
Samples: Hold your horses! The game hasn’t started yet. / Mom told me to hold my horses before opening my gift.
To Put it Another Way: Be patient. / Wait for your turn.
20. Get your feet wet
Meaning: To try something new for the first time.
Samples: I got my feet wet by joining the chess club. / She got her feet wet with her first swim lesson.
To Put it Another Way: I tried something new. / I started to learn.
21. Back to square one
Meaning: To start over after a failure.
Samples: After losing the game, we were back to square one. / My science experiment didn’t work, so I’m back to square one.
To Put it Another Way: I have to start again. / I didn’t succeed and must try again.
22. Bite off more than you can chew
Meaning: To take on too much work or responsibility.
Samples: I bit off more than I could chew by signing up for three clubs. / She bit off more than she could chew with all her homework.
To Put it Another Way: I tried to do too much. / I had more than I could handle.
23. Jump the gun
Meaning: To start something too soon.
Samples: He jumped the gun by answering before the question was finished. / I jumped the gun and ran too early in the race.
To Put it Another Way: I started before I should have. / I was too quick to begin.
24. On the edge of your seat
Meaning: Very excited or nervous while waiting for something.
Samples: We were on the edge of our seats during the final game. / She was on the edge of her seat waiting for the announcement.
To Put it Another Way: I was very excited and nervous. / I waited with strong feelings.
25. Go out on a limb
Meaning: To take a risk by doing something different.
Samples: I went out on a limb and told my idea to the class. / She went out on a limb by trying a new sport.
To Put it Another Way: I took a chance. / I did something brave.
26. Hit the jackpot
Meaning: To have great success or luck.
Samples: We hit the jackpot by finding a hidden playground. / She hit the jackpot by getting a perfect score.
To Put it Another Way: I was very lucky. / I had great success.
27. Take the scenic route
Meaning: To choose a longer but more interesting or beautiful way.
Samples: We took the scenic route on our bike ride. / Mom chose the scenic route to see the mountains.
To Put it Another Way: I went the longer but nicer way. / I chose the more fun path.
28. Steal the show
Meaning: To be the best and get the most attention.
Samples: She stole the show with her amazing dance. / I stole the show by scoring the winning goal.
To Put it Another Way: I was the best and got noticed. / I was the star of the event.
29. Test the waters
Meaning: To try something new to see if it will work or be liked.
Samples: We tested the waters by trying a new game at recess. / I tested the waters by asking to join the team.
To Put it Another Way: I tried a little to see what happens. / I checked if something would work.
30. Blaze a new trail
Meaning: To create a new way or method for others to follow.
Samples: The explorers blazed a new trail through the forest. / I want to blaze a new trail in science.
To Put it Another Way: I am making a new path. / I’m leading others with a new idea.
Find the Topics: Idioms for Adventure
Last weekend, Mia and her friends decided to explore a forest near their town. They wanted to shoot for the stars by finding a secret waterfall. At first, they felt a little scared because the path was off the beaten path. But Mia told them to hold their horses and walk carefully.
As they moved deeper, Mia blazed a trail through the thick bushes. Everyone was excited but also a bit nervous. When they reached a fork in the path, Mia said, “Let’s take the plunge and try the left side.” They knew it might be risky, but they wanted to keep going.
After a while, they hit the road back home, feeling proud of their adventure. Mia smiled and said, “We really went the extra mile today!” Her friend added, “I can’t wait to blaze my own trail on the next trip.” They all agreed that trying new things was fun, even when they stepped out of their comfort zone.
Task:
Underline or list all the idioms for adventure you find in the story above.
Answer Key
- Shoot for the stars
- Off the beaten path
- Hold your horses
- Blaze a trail
- Take the plunge
- Hit the road
- Go the extra mile
- Blaze my own trail
Conclusion
Adventure idioms help us describe exciting journeys and trying new things. These phrases make stories about adventures more interesting and easier to understand. When you use idioms like “shoot for the stars” or “take the plunge,” you add color to your words.
Learning and using these idioms can help you share your own stories about exploring, trying, and discovering. Whether you are on a real trip or just imagining one, adventure idioms make your stories fun and full of energy.
