Church is an important place where people come together to pray, sing, and learn about their faith. There are many special phrases called idioms that come from church life. These idioms use words from church to explain feelings, actions, or ideas in a fun and interesting way. Learning these idioms can help us understand what others mean when they talk about church or use these phrases in daily life.
In this article, we will explore 30 common idioms for church. You will see what they mean and how to use them in sentences. After that, there will be a short activity where you can find some of these idioms in a story. This will help you remember and use them better. Let’s start learning about idioms that come from church and how they can be part of our everyday talk.
Idioms for Church
1. At the altar
Meaning: Being very serious or making an important promise.
Samples: She stood at the altar when she said she would always help her friend. / They met at the altar to make a big decision.
To Put it Another Way: Making a serious promise. / Being ready to commit.
2. Preach to the choir
Meaning: To say something to people who already agree.
Samples: When the teacher told us to be kind, she was preaching to the choir. / He was preaching to the choir when he reminded us to study hard.
To Put it Another Way: Talking to people who already believe. / Saying something to those who agree.
3. By the book
Meaning: Following the rules exactly.
Samples: The pastor said we should live by the book. / She did everything by the book when organizing the event.
To Put it Another Way: Doing things according to rules. / Following instructions carefully.
4. A blessing in disguise
Meaning: Something that seems bad but turns out good.
Samples: Missing the bus was a blessing in disguise because I met my friend. / The canceled game was a blessing in disguise for the players to rest.
To Put it Another Way: A hidden good thing. / Something good that looks bad at first.
5. Holy smoke
Meaning: An expression of surprise.
Samples: Holy smoke! I didn’t expect to see you here. / When he won the prize, everyone said, “Holy smoke!”
To Put it Another Way: Wow, that’s surprising. / An expression of shock or wonder.
6. Church mouse
Meaning: Someone very poor or who has little money.
Samples: After buying the bike, I was like a church mouse with no money left. / He lives like a church mouse but is happy.
To Put it Another Way: Very poor person. / Someone with almost no money.
7. Raise the roof
Meaning: To make a lot of noise in a happy way.
Samples: The crowd raised the roof when the band played. / At the party, everyone raised the roof with cheering.
To Put it Another Way: Make a lot of loud noise. / Celebrate loudly.
8. Go to church on Sunday
Meaning: To follow rules or traditions.
Samples: She goes to church on Sunday by always does her homework on time. / He goes to church on Sunday by helping others every week.
To Put it Another Way: Following rules regularly. / Doing things the right way.
9. Foot the bill
Meaning: To pay for something.
Samples: Mom had to foot the bill for the school trip. / He footed the bill for the pizza party.
To Put it Another Way: Pay the money. / Cover the cost.
10. Cast the first stone
Meaning: To be the first to blame someone.
Samples: Before you judge him, remember not to cast the first stone. / She didn’t want to cast the first stone about the mistake.
To Put it Another Way: Start blaming others. / Be the first to criticize.
11. On a high horse
Meaning: Acting like you are better than others.
Samples: He got on his high horse after winning the race. / Don’t get on your high horse just because you’re right.
To Put it Another Way: Acting proud or bossy. / Feeling better than others.
12. The powers that be
Meaning: People who have control or authority.
Samples: The powers that be decided to close the school early. / We have to ask the powers that be for permission.
To Put it Another Way: Those in charge. / People with control.
13. Keep the faith
Meaning: To keep believing, even if things are hard.
Samples: Even when the test was tough, she kept the faith and studied. / We have to keep the faith that everything will be okay.
To Put it Another Way: Stay hopeful. / Believe and don’t give up.
14. Turn the other cheek
Meaning: To forgive instead of getting angry.
Samples: When he was teased, he turned the other cheek and didn’t fight back. / She turned the other cheek when her friend made a mistake.
To Put it Another Way: Forgive someone. / Don’t fight back.
15. Cross to bear
Meaning: A problem someone has to deal with.
Samples: Getting along with my brother is my cross to bear. / Everyone has a cross to bear in life.
To Put it Another Way: A personal problem. / A burden someone carries.
16. God’s honest truth
Meaning: A very true statement.
Samples: I’m telling God’s honest truth, I didn’t take your book. / That is God’s honest truth about what happened.
To Put it Another Way: A completely true fact. / The real truth.
17. Leap of faith
Meaning: Doing something without being sure it will work.
Samples: Starting the new club was a leap of faith for us. / She took a leap of faith and tried out for the team.
To Put it Another Way: Taking a chance. / Trying something uncertain.
18. Get on your knees
Meaning: To pray or ask for help very seriously.
Samples: When she was scared, she got on her knees and prayed. / They got on their knees to ask for forgiveness.
To Put it Another Way: Pray earnestly. / Ask seriously for help.
19. In the pews
Meaning: Ordinary people who attend church.
Samples: Most of the crowd in the pews were families. / The people in the pews listened quietly.
To Put it Another Way: Regular churchgoers. / People who come to church.
20. Make a joyful noise
Meaning: To sing or celebrate happily.
Samples: We made a joyful noise at the school concert. / The choir made a joyful noise every Sunday.
To Put it Another Way: Sing happily. / Celebrate with sound.
21. Sanctimonious
Meaning: Acting like you are morally better than others.
Samples: He was sanctimonious when he told us what to do. / Don’t be sanctimonious just because you follow the rules.
To Put it Another Way: Acting self-righteous. / Pretending to be morally better.
22. Godsend
Meaning: Something very helpful that comes unexpectedly.
Samples: The extra help was a godsend before the big test. / That gift was a godsend for our family.
To Put it Another Way: A lucky or helpful surprise. / Something very good that happens.
23. Atone for
Meaning: To make up for a mistake or wrong.
Samples: He wanted to atone for breaking the window by cleaning the yard. / She tried to atone for being late by helping the teacher.
To Put it Another Way: Fix a mistake. / Make things right.
24. Raise your hands
Meaning: To show you agree or want to join in.
Samples: Everyone raised their hands when asked who wanted to help. / She raised her hands to answer the question.
To Put it Another Way: Show agreement. / Volunteer or participate.
25. In good standing
Meaning: Being respected and trusted by a group.
Samples: He is in good standing with the church because he helps a lot. / She stayed in good standing by being kind to everyone.
To Put it Another Way: Trusted and respected. / Seen as a good member.
26. Washing your hands of something
Meaning: Refusing to be responsible for a problem.
Samples: After the argument, he washed his hands of the problem. / She washed her hands of the messy project.
To Put it Another Way: Giving up responsibility. / Refusing to deal with something.
27. Take it to the Lord in prayer
Meaning: To pray about a problem or worry.
Samples: When she was worried, she took it to the Lord in prayer. / They took their troubles to the Lord in prayer.
To Put it Another Way: Pray about a problem. / Ask God for help.
28. Devil’s advocate
Meaning: Someone who argues the opposite to test ideas.
Samples: He played devil’s advocate to make sure the plan was strong. / She acted as devil’s advocate during the debate.
To Put it Another Way: Arguing the other side. / Testing ideas by disagreeing.
29. Saved by the bell
Meaning: Saved from trouble at the last moment.
Samples: The teacher called time, and I was saved by the bell from answering. / I was saved by the bell when the phone rang.
To Put it Another Way: Saved just in time. / Rescued at the last moment.
30. Walk on water
Meaning: Doing something that seems impossible.
Samples: She walked on water by finishing the big project alone. / It’s like walking on water to solve that hard math problem.
To Put it Another Way: Doing the impossible. / Achieving something very hard.
Find the Topics: Idioms for Church
Last Friday, our school had a big fundraiser to help the community. Everyone was excited to raise the roof with music and fun games. Sarah was nervous because she had to preach to the choir about helping others. She spoke well, but it felt like she was talking to friends who already believed.
During the event, Jake forgot his money, so his mom had to foot the bill for his snacks. Later, our teacher reminded us to keep the faith and work hard even when things get tough. After the fundraiser, some kids were on their high horse because they thought they did the best job.
Before leaving, the principal asked everyone to raise their hands if they wanted to help again next year. At the end, we all felt like we had made a joyful noise by singing and cheering. It was a good day, and we all learned to turn the other cheek when someone made a mistake.
Task: Underline or list all the idioms you find in the story above.
Answer Key
- Raise the roof
- Preach to the choir
- Foot the bill
- Keep the faith
- On your high horse
- Raise your hands
- Make a joyful noise
- Turn the other cheek
Conclusion
Idioms from church help us talk about ideas and feelings in a special way. They make language more fun and easier to understand. When we learn these idioms, we can better understand what others mean and use them in our own talking and writing.
Using church idioms can help us share important thoughts about kindness, belief, and forgiveness. Whether you are raising your hands or keeping the faith, these phrases connect us to stories and lessons from church. Remembering them can help you in school and in life.
