Some people are taller than others, and that can make them easy to spot in a crowd. But being “tall” isn’t just about height. In language, people often use idioms, fun phrases that don’t mean exactly what the words say, to talk about being tall, standing out, or acting proud.
Instead of saying “He’s very tall,” someone might say “He’s head and shoulders above the rest.” These idioms help make descriptions more fun and clear. In this article, you’ll learn 30 idioms that are used to talk about being tall, standing high, or standing out in a good or funny way.
Idioms for Tall
1. Head and shoulders above the rest
Meaning: Much taller or better than others.
Samples: He’s head and shoulders above everyone in class. / She stood head and shoulders above her team.
To Put it Another Way: Taller or more impressive than others.
2. Stand tall
Meaning: Be proud and confident.
Samples: Even when nervous, she stood tall. / He stood tall during the speech.
To Put it Another Way: Show strength and pride.
3. Tall order
Meaning: A hard thing to do.
Samples: Cleaning the whole gym was a tall order. / Winning three games in a row is a tall order.
To Put it Another Way: A big challenge.
4. Tall tale
Meaning: An exaggerated or silly story.
Samples: His story about flying pigs is a tall tale. / That was a funny tall tale you told!
To Put it Another Way: A made-up story.
5. Towering figure
Meaning: Someone tall and impressive.
Samples: The coach is a towering figure at school. / He became a towering figure in science class.
To Put it Another Way: Someone who stands out and is respected.
6. Sky-high
Meaning: Very tall or very high.
Samples: That building is sky-high! / Her jump was sky-high.
To Put it Another Way: Very tall.
7. Up in the clouds
Meaning: Very tall or lost in thought.
Samples: He’s so tall, his head’s up in the clouds. / She sat quietly, up in the clouds.
To Put it Another Way: Very tall or daydreaming.
8. Like a skyscraper
Meaning: Very tall like a tall building.
Samples: That kid is like a skyscraper! / You grew up like a skyscraper over summer.
To Put it Another Way: Super tall.
9. Tree-tall
Meaning: As tall as a tree.
Samples: He’s tree-tall now! / That kid is tree-tall in fifth grade.
To Put it Another Way: Really tall.
10. As tall as a giraffe
Meaning: Very tall, in a funny way.
Samples: She’s as tall as a giraffe! / He walked in, tall as a giraffe.
To Put it Another Way: Super tall and noticeable.
11. Tower over
Meaning: To be much taller than others.
Samples: He towered over the second graders. / She towered over her little brother.
To Put it Another Way: Be a lot taller.
12. Tall drink of water
Meaning: A very tall person (often used in a funny way).
Samples: He’s a tall drink of water, that’s for sure. / Wow, she’s a tall drink of water!
To Put it Another Way: A tall person.
13. Reach for the sky
Meaning: Stretch up high; aim high.
Samples: The kids reached for the sky in the photo. / He reached for the sky to get the ball.
To Put it Another Way: Reach up high.
14. Stand above the crowd
Meaning: Be taller or more noticeable than others.
Samples: He stood above the crowd at the concert. / She always stands above the crowd in school pictures.
To Put it Another Way: Easy to spot because of height.
15. Long and lanky
Meaning: Very tall and thin.
Samples: He’s long and lanky just like a basketball player. / That long and lanky guy can run fast!
To Put it Another Way: Tall and slim.
16. Tall in the saddle
Meaning: Proud and confident.
Samples: He walked in tall in the saddle. / She answered tall in the saddle during the quiz.
To Put it Another Way: Confident and proud.
17. High as a kite (height meaning)
Meaning: Very high up or tall.
Samples: That swing went high as a kite! / He jumped high as a kite.
To Put it Another Way: Way up high.
18. Tall timber
Meaning: Tall people or tall things.
Samples: That class is full of tall timber! / He’s part of the tall timber crowd.
To Put it Another Way: Very tall folks.
19. Look up to
Meaning: Literally look up because someone is taller.
Samples: I have to look up to him he’s so tall! / She looked up to her tall brother.
To Put it Another Way: Raise your eyes to see someone tall.
20. Big shoes to fill
Meaning: A tall or great person whose place is hard to take.
Samples: The new captain has big shoes to fill. / She had big shoes to fill after her sister.
To Put it Another Way: A tall order to match someone else’s success.
21. Stretch to the sky
Meaning: Very tall, like reaching the sky.
Samples: That tower stretches to the sky. / His bean plant stretches to the sky!
To Put it Another Way: So tall it almost touches the sky.
22. Tall and proud
Meaning: Standing tall with confidence.
Samples: She walked in tall and proud. / He stood tall and proud before the class.
To Put it Another Way: Feeling strong and proud.
23. Outgrow the house
Meaning: Grew so tall the house feels small.
Samples: He’s getting so tall, he’ll outgrow the house! / She’s about to outgrow the house with those legs!
To Put it Another Way: Growing very quickly.
24. Tall on talent
Meaning: Very good at something, even if not physically tall.
Samples: She may be short, but she’s tall on talent. / He’s tall on talent when it comes to music.
To Put it Another Way: Very skilled or gifted.
25. Walking tall
Meaning: Feeling proud and confident.
Samples: He was walking tall after the win. / She walked tall out of the classroom.
To Put it Another Way: Feeling good about yourself.
26. As tall as two chairs
Meaning: A silly way to say very tall.
Samples: He’s as tall as two chairs stacked up! / That girl’s as tall as two chairs!
To Put it Another Way: A playful way to say someone is tall.
27. Head above the clouds
Meaning: Very tall or dreaming big.
Samples: He’s so tall, his head’s above the clouds. / She walks with her head above the clouds.
To Put it Another Way: Tall or full of dreams.
28. Tall walk
Meaning: A walk that shows pride or height.
Samples: He had a tall walk down the hall. / She gave a tall walk to the stage.
To Put it Another Way: Walk like you’re confident or tall.
29. Tall among equals
Meaning: Stands out even among others like you.
Samples: She was tall among equals in the art show. / He was tall among equals in the spelling bee.
To Put it Another Way: Special, even in a good group.
30. Like a lamp post
Meaning: Very thin and tall.
Samples: He’s like a lamp post! / She’s tall and slim like a lamp post.
To Put it Another Way: Tall and thin.
Find the Topics: Idioms for Tall
Activity: “Tall Talk at Recess”
During recess, Ben and Marcus were comparing their heights. “You’re as tall as a giraffe!” Ben said, laughing. “Well, you’re not short either, you’re starting to tower over the swings,” Marcus replied.
Maya walked by and said, “You both stand tall today. Ready for the class photo?” They all lined up, and Ben joked, “With my height, I’ll be head and shoulders above the rest!”
Later, their teacher handed out awards. Maya walked up to get hers, walking tall and proud. “She’s always tall among equals,” Ben whispered. “Yeah, and I bet she’ll reach for the sky with her dreams,” Marcus added.
After the bell, the group smiled for one last photo. “Look at us,” said Maya. “One tall tale after another.”
Your Task:
Can you find and list all 8 idioms for tall used in the story?
Answer Key
- As tall as a giraffe
- Tower over
- Stand tall
- Head and shoulders above the rest
- Walking tall
- Tall among equals
- Reach for the sky
- Tall tale
Conclusion
Being tall isn’t just about height, it can also mean standing out, feeling confident, or reaching for something great. Idioms like “head and shoulders above the rest” or “walking tall” help us describe these feelings in fun and powerful ways.
By learning these idioms, you can talk about height, confidence, and greatness in ways that are more creative and meaningful. Whether you’re tall in size or in spirit, these phrases help your words stand tall, too.
