20 Idioms Related to Leisure (with Meanings & Examples)
Hello, English learners 👋 Welcome to a new lesson. In English, we often use idioms to talk about leisure, free time, and relaxation. These expressions make your English sound more natural, expressive, and confident, especially in everyday conversation and Cambridge speaking exams. Below are 21 common idioms related to leisure, with clear meanings and natural example sentences.
1. Take it easy
Meaning: Relax and avoid stress or pressure.
You’ve worked hard all week — take it easy this weekend.
You’ve worked hard all week — take it easy this weekend.
2. Let your hair down
Meaning: Relax and enjoy yourself, especially after stress.
At the party, she finally let her hair down and had fun.
At the party, she finally let her hair down and had fun.
3. Blow off steam
Meaning: Release stress or frustration through activity.
He went for a long run to blow off steam after work.
He went for a long run to blow off steam after work.
4. Have time on your hands
Meaning: Have plenty of free time.
With time on her hands during the holidays, she started painting.
With time on her hands during the holidays, she started painting.
5. Live for the moment
Meaning: Enjoy the present without worrying about the future.
While travelling, he prefers to live for the moment.
While travelling, he prefers to live for the moment.
6. Sit back and relax
Meaning: Stop worrying and enjoy some rest.
Once everything was finished, they sat back and relaxed.
Once everything was finished, they sat back and relaxed.
7. Catch some rays
Meaning: Spend time in the sun.
They went to the beach to catch some rays.
They went to the beach to catch some rays.
8. Hit the sack
Meaning: Go to bed.
After the long journey, we hit the sack early.
After the long journey, we hit the sack early.
9. Burn the midnight oil
Meaning: Stay up late doing something.
They burned the midnight oil playing games and chatting.
They burned the midnight oil playing games and chatting.
10. A breath of fresh air
Meaning: Something refreshing or different from routine.
The countryside was a breath of fresh air after city life.
The countryside was a breath of fresh air after city life.
11. Kick back
Meaning: Relax in a casual way.
On Sundays, he kicks back and watches films.
On Sundays, he kicks back and watches films.
12. Put your feet up
Meaning: Rest after being busy or tired.
Why don’t you put your feet up and relax for a bit?
Why don’t you put your feet up and relax for a bit?
13. Go with the flow
Meaning: Accept situations as they come.
On holiday, we went with the flow and didn’t plan much.
On holiday, we went with the flow and didn’t plan much.
14. Lost in thought
Meaning: Deeply absorbed in thinking.
She sat by the window, lost in thought.
She sat by the window, lost in thought.
15. Take a breather
Meaning: Pause briefly to rest.
Let’s take a breather before continuing.
Let’s take a breather before continuing.
16. Make the most of it
Meaning: Enjoy or use something as fully as possible.
The sun is out — let’s make the most of it.
The sun is out — let’s make the most of it.
17. Have a ball
Meaning: Have a great time.
We had a ball at the festival.
We had a ball at the festival.
18. All work and no play
Meaning: Working too much without relaxing is unhealthy.
All work and no play makes life very dull.
All work and no play makes life very dull.
19. Get a second wind
Meaning: Regain energy after feeling tired.
After a short rest, she got a second wind.
After a short rest, she got a second wind.
20. A change of pace
Meaning: Something different from the usual routine.
The weekend trip was a welcome change of pace.
The weekend trip was a welcome change of pace.
Final tip for learners
Idioms related to leisure are perfect for Cambridge speaking exams, especially when talking about free time, holidays and work–life balance.
Use one or two naturally — not too many — and your English will instantly sound more fluent and relaxed.
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4 Comments
Furaha Mahiga · 3 Jul 2025 at 8:18 am
You lessons are quite interesting and educating! I’m thankful that I’m now becoming competent and more confident with my English speaking.
My Lingua Academy · 3 Jul 2025 at 8:20 am
Thank you very much. I’m so glad! ☺️
Irene · 8 Jul 2025 at 7:10 pm
Dear teacher, I appreciate your generous settings of words, phrasals and idioms, as well as grammar materials. They are concise, informative and very useful for my language learning . Thank you so much. Got bless you!
My Lingua Academy · 8 Jul 2025 at 7:21 pm
You ae very welcome! ☺️