60 Idioms for Vacation

Idioms are fun phrases where the words together mean something totally different from what they say one by one. People use them to make talking and writing more colorful, exciting, and full of life. Today, you are going to learn a bunch of helpful idioms that all have to do with vacation, travel, and taking a break from routine.

In this lesson, we’ll look at idioms for vacation that mean taking a trip, relaxing away from home, and exploring new places. Let’s get started and explore some of these helpful expressions.

Idioms for Vacation

1. Hit the road

Meaning: To start a journey or leave for a vacation trip.

For Example: Pack your bags because it is time to hit the road for camp. / Early Saturday morning, the family hit the road for the beach.

Other Ways to Say: Start traveling / Leave on a trip

2. Pack your bags

Meaning: To get your luggage ready because you are going on a trip.

For Example: Summer break is finally here, so go pack your bags for the cabin. / She was so excited to pack her bags for the trip to the mountains.

Other Ways to Say: Prepare for travel / Get luggage ready

3. Catch some rays

Meaning: To sit outside in the sunshine and relax during a holiday.

For Example: While at the beach, he loved to sit on the sand and catch some rays. / The sunny afternoon was perfect for catching some rays by the pool.

Other Ways to Say: Sunbathe / Enjoy sunshine

4. Soak up the sun

Meaning: To relax and enjoy warm sunlight while on holiday.

For Example: They spent the afternoon on the patio soaking up the sun. / Relaxing by the lake means soaking up the sun all day long.

Other Ways to Say: Enjoy sunshine / Sunbathe

5. Away from it all

Meaning: Being in a peaceful place far away from daily stress and school work.

For Example: Camping in the quiet woods made him feel completely away from it all. / Spending a week in the cabin is a great way to get away from it all.

Other Ways to Say: On holiday / Escaping routine

6. Take a breather

Meaning: To pause and rest briefly during a busy travel day.

For Example: After walking through the theme park, they stopped to take a breather. / Let’s find a bench and take a breather before visiting the museum.

Other Ways to Say: Rest / Pause

7. Recharge your batteries

Meaning: To rest and regain your energy during a relaxing holiday break.

For Example: Sleeping late during summer vacation helps you recharge your batteries. / A quiet weekend in the mountains is a great way to recharge your batteries.

Other Ways to Say: Rest up / Recover energy

8. Let your hair down

Meaning: To relax completely and enjoy yourself without worrying about rules.

For Example: Vacation is the perfect time to let your hair down and have fun. / Once camp started, everyone could let their hair down and play games.

Other Ways to Say: Relax / Unwind

9. Unwind

Meaning: To relax your mind and body after a busy period of school work.

For Example: Listening to quiet music helps you unwind after a long day of travel. / Sitting by the ocean is a wonderful way to unwind.

Other Ways to Say: Relax / Calm down

10. Kick back

Meaning: To sit back comfortably and relax during your free time.

For Example: Grab a book and kick back on the porch hammock. / After hiking the trail, we wanted to kick back by the campfire.

Other Ways to Say: Relax / Take it easy

11. Take it easy

Meaning: To relax and avoid doing stressful or hard work on a trip.

For Example: Doctor’s orders on holiday were to take it easy and rest. / We spent Sunday afternoon taking it easy by the pool.

Other Ways to Say: Relax / Rest

12. On cloud nine

Meaning: Feeling extremely happy and joyful during a wonderful holiday.

For Example: Visiting the amusement park on vacation put him on cloud nine. / Winning the free trip ticket left her on cloud nine.

Other Ways to Say: Extremely happy / Overjoyed

13. Having a blast

Meaning: Having an amazing time filled with fun and excitement on a trip.

For Example: The kids were having a blast splashing in the hotel pool. / Riding the water slide meant everyone was having a blast.

Other Ways to Say: Having fun / Enjoying greatly

14. Living the high life Meaning: Enjoying luxury, comfort, and excitement while traveling.

Meaning: Enjoying luxury, comfort, and excitement while traveling.

For Example: Staying at the resort with room service felt like living the high life. / Riding in the first-class train car felt like living the high life.

Other Ways to Say: Enjoying luxury / Living well

15. Painted the town red Meaning: Going out to celebrate and have an exciting time on holiday.

Meaning: Going out to celebrate and have an exciting time on holiday.

For Example: After finishing exams, they went out and painted the town red. / The festival crowd painted the town red with music and dancing.

Other Ways to Say: Celebrate / Have a big night out

16. On the road Meaning: Traveling from place to place in a vehicle.

Meaning: Traveling from place to place in a vehicle.

For Example: We spent three days on the road visiting national parks. / Being on the road during summer is a fun family adventure.

Other Ways to Say: Traveling / Touring

17. Seeing the sights Meaning: Exploring famous tourist locations and landmarks on a trip.

Meaning: Exploring famous tourist locations and landmarks on a trip.

For Example: Walking downtown and seeing the sights is our favorite vacation plan. / They spent the morning seeing the sights around the old city.

Other Ways to Say: Sightseeing / Tour landmarks

18. Off the beaten path Meaning: Finding a unique, quiet travel spot away from heavy crowds.

Meaning: Finding a unique, quiet travel spot away from heavy crowds.

For Example: We discovered a peaceful cabin located off the beaten path. / Explorers love finding secret trails off the beaten path.

Other Ways to Say: Remote location / Hidden spot

19. Broaden your horizons Meaning: Experiencing new cultures and places while traveling.

Meaning: Experiencing new cultures and places while traveling.

For Example: Traveling to different countries helps broaden your horizons. / Trying new foods on vacation is a great way to broaden your horizons.

Other Ways to Say: Learn new things / Gain experience

20. Out of office Meaning: Being away from work or school on a holiday break.

Meaning: Being away from work or school on a holiday break.

For Example: Dad set his computer email to out of office for the camping trip. / Enjoying the beach meant staying out of office all week.

Other Ways to Say: Away on holiday / Taking a break

21. Holiday mood Meaning: A relaxed, happy mindset felt when traveling or resting.

Meaning: A relaxed, happy mindset felt when traveling or resting.

For Example: Packing our suitcases put everyone right into a holiday mood. / Smiling at breakfast showed she was in a holiday mood.

Other Ways to Say: Vacation spirit / Relaxed attitude

22. In seventh heaven Meaning: Experiencing pure bliss and happiness on vacation.

Meaning: Experiencing pure bliss and happiness on vacation.

For Example: Eating ice cream by the beach put her in seventh heaven. / Exploring the massive toy store on the trip left him in seventh heaven.

Other Ways to Say: Overjoyed / Extremely happy

23. Walking on air Meaning: Feeling light, joyful, and thrilled about a holiday trip.

Meaning: Feeling light, joyful, and thrilled about a holiday trip.

For Example: Hearing that the family trip to Disney was approved left him walking on air. / Winning the vacation contest had her walking on air.

Other Ways to Say: Thrilled / Extremely happy

24. Having a whale of a time Meaning: Having an exceptionally fun and exciting vacation experience.

Meaning: Having an exceptionally fun and exciting vacation experience.

For Example: The children were having a whale of a time building sandcastles. / Visiting the water park meant everyone was having a whale of a time.

Other Ways to Say: Having great fun / Enjoying immensely

25. Having a field day Meaning: Enjoying endless fun and freedom during a holiday activity.

Meaning: Enjoying endless fun and freedom during a holiday activity.

For Example: The puppies had a field day running across the grassy campsite. / At the science museum, the kids had a field day trying exhibits.

Other Ways to Say: Having great fun / Enjoying freedom

26. Painted a pretty picture Meaning: Describing a wonderful, scenic vacation spot vividly.

Meaning: Describing a wonderful, scenic vacation spot vividly.

For Example: The sunset over the ocean painted a pretty picture for tourists. / Postcards from the mountains painted a pretty picture of the cabins.

Other Ways to Say: Scenic view / Beautiful description

27. Picture postcard Meaning: A travel destination so scenic it looks like a photograph.

Meaning: A travel destination so scenic it looks like a photograph.

For Example: The snowy mountain village looked like a picture postcard in winter. / Their beach resort cottage was a picture postcard setting.

Other Ways to Say: Very scenic / Beautiful view

28. Breath of fresh air Meaning: A refreshing change of scenery and routine on holiday.

Meaning: A refreshing change of scenery and routine on holiday.

For Example: Leaving the noisy city for the quiet forest was a breath of fresh air. / Visiting the breezy coast felt like a breath of fresh air.

Other Ways to Say: Refreshing change / Nice break

29. Fresh start Meaning: Beginning a holiday adventure with renewed energy.

Meaning: Beginning a holiday adventure with renewed energy.

For Example: Waking up at the campsite gave everyone a fresh start to the day. / A morning hike in the woods provided a fresh start.

Other Ways to Say: New beginning / Renewed start

30. Footloose and fancy-free Meaning: Being free from responsibilities and worries during vacation.

Meaning: Being free from responsibilities and worries during vacation.

For Example: With summer break starting, he felt footloose and fancy-free. / Traveling with a backpack made her feel footloose and fancy-free.

Other Ways to Say: Carefree / Free of duties

31. On a whim Meaning: Deciding to take a spontaneous trip with zero planning.

Meaning: Deciding to take a spontaneous trip with zero planning.

For Example: They packed the car on a whim and drove to the lake. / Visiting the ice cream shop was decided on a whim.

Other Ways to Say: Spontaneously / Suddenly

32. Pack light Meaning: Traveling with minimal luggage to make moving easy.

Meaning: Traveling with minimal luggage to make moving easy.

For Example: For the weekend hike, make sure to pack light in your backpack. / Airlines charge less if you pack light for your trip.

Other Ways to Say: Bring few bags / Travel light

33. Travel light Meaning: Carrying very few items while moving on a trip.

Meaning: Carrying very few items while moving on a trip.

For Example: Backpackers learn quickly how to travel light across trails. / It is much easier to explore cities when you travel light.

Other Ways to Say: Pack light / Bring minimal gear

34. Jet set Meaning: Traveling frequently to luxury vacation destinations around the world.

Meaning: Traveling frequently to luxury vacation destinations around the world.

For Example: Movie stars often jet set across different continents for holidays. / Their family loves to jet set to sunny islands in winter.

Other Ways to Say: Fly around / Travel luxuriously

35. Globe-trotting Meaning: Traveling widely across many different countries for vacations.

Meaning: Traveling widely across many different countries for vacations.

For Example: Her uncle spent the summer globe-trotting through Europe. / Reading travel books inspired his globe-trotting dreams.

Other Ways to Say: World travel / International trips

36. Roaming free Meaning: Exploring new holiday destinations without any strict schedules.

Meaning: Exploring new holiday destinations without any strict schedules.

For Example: The horses loved roaming free across the mountain pasture. / Tourists enjoyed roaming free through the open castle grounds.

Other Ways to Say: Wandering / Exploring freely

37. Exploring new horizons Meaning: Visiting unfamiliar places and trying exciting travel activities.

Meaning: Visiting unfamiliar places and trying exciting travel activities.

For Example: Scuba diving on the island meant exploring new horizons for the family. / Hiking deep into the valley was like exploring new horizons.

Other Ways to Say: Discovering new places / Adventuring

38. Off the beaten track Meaning: Finding quiet, less-visited vacation spots.

Meaning: Finding quiet, less-visited vacation spots.

For Example: We found a gorgeous waterfall located off the beaten track. / Biking down trails off the beaten track was peaceful.

Other Ways to Say: Remote spot / Hidden trail

39. In the middle of nowhere Meaning: Being at a very remote, isolated vacation location.

Meaning: Being at a very remote, isolated vacation location.

For Example: The cabin had no cell service because it was in the middle of nowhere. / We camped under the stars in the middle of nowhere.

Other Ways to Say: Remote place / Isolated spot

40. Taking a detour Meaning: Changing your travel route to see something interesting.

Meaning: Changing your travel route to see something interesting.

For Example: We took a detour to visit the giant roadside dinosaur statue. / Driving past the scenic overlook meant taking a detour.

Other Ways to Say: Alternate route / Side trip

41. Sightseeing tour Meaning: A planned trip to view famous local landmarks and sights.

Meaning: A planned trip to view famous local landmarks and sights.

For Example: The double-decker bus took tourists on a fun sightseeing tour. / Visiting the old cathedral was the highlight of our sightseeing tour.

Other Ways to Say: Landmark visit / Tour

42. Tourist trap Meaning: An overcrowded place with overpriced items aimed at travelers.

Meaning: An overcrowded place with overpriced items aimed at travelers.

For Example: Avoid buying souvenirs at that shop because it is a total tourist trap. / The crowded gift store outside the park was a tourist trap.

Other Ways to Say: Overpriced spot / Crowded attraction

43. Souvenir hunting Meaning: Searching for small memorable items to bring home from a trip.

Meaning: Searching for small memorable items to bring home from a trip.

For Example: The children spent the afternoon souvenir hunting in the village shops. / Collecting postcards counts as fun souvenir hunting.

Other Ways to Say: Buying gifts / Finding keepsakes

44. Making memories Meaning: Creating wonderful moments on vacation that you will always remember.

Meaning: Creating wonderful moments on vacation that you will always remember.

For Example: Taking family photos on the beach is all about making memories. / Every trip we take together is focused on making memories.

Other Ways to Say: Creating moments / Remembering fun

45. Having a change of scenery Meaning: Moving to a different and refreshing environment on holiday.

Meaning: Moving to a different and refreshing environment on holiday.

For Example: Staying at the lake house gave everyone a nice change of scenery. / Visiting grandparents in the country provided a welcome change of scenery.

Other Ways to Say: New environment / Refreshing shift

46. Breaking the routine Meaning: Stopping everyday habits to enjoy a fun vacation.

Meaning: Stopping everyday habits to enjoy a fun vacation.

For Example: Sleeping in late on Saturday is a great way of breaking the routine. / Taking a trip to the beach helps in breaking the routine.

Other Ways to Say: Stop habits / Change pace

47. Changing pace Meaning: Slowing down and enjoying a relaxed holiday schedule.

Meaning: Slowing down and enjoying a relaxed holiday schedule.

For Example: Moving from busy school days to a quiet cabin meant changing pace. / Enjoying slow mornings on holiday is all about changing pace.

Other Ways to Say: Slow down / Shift speed

48. On vacation mode Meaning: Feeling completely relaxed and unbothered by normal duties.

Meaning: Feeling completely relaxed and unbothered by normal duties.

For Example: Wearing sandals and sunglasses put him straight into vacation mode. / Once we arrived at the beach, we were on vacation mode.

Other Ways to Say: Relaxed mindset / Holiday spirit

49. Sun, sea, and sand Meaning: The classic combination sought after on beach holidays.

Meaning: The classic combination sought after on beach holidays.

For Example: They booked a tropical resort promising plenty of sun, sea, and sand. / Nothing beats a relaxing holiday of sun, sea, and sand.

Other Ways to Say: Beach holiday / Coastal trip

50. Island hopping Meaning: Visiting several different small islands during a tropical trip.

Meaning: Visiting several different small islands during a tropical trip.

For Example: Renting a small boat allowed them to go island hopping in the bay. / Vacation plans included a week of fun island hopping.

Other Ways to Say: Island tour / Visiting islands

51. Hitting the beach Meaning: Heading directly to the sandy shore for swimming and fun.

Meaning: Heading directly to the sandy shore for swimming and fun.

For Example: Grab your towels because we are hitting the beach after breakfast. / The sunny weather made everyone excited about hitting the beach.

Other Ways to Say: Go to shore / Visit beach

52. Riding the waves Meaning: Swimming or surfing in ocean waves during a coastal trip.

Meaning: Swimming or surfing in ocean waves during a coastal trip.

For Example: He spent hours on his surfboard riding the waves near the shore. / Splashing in the ocean and riding the waves is great fun.

Other Ways to Say: Surf waves / Ocean swim

53. Building castles in the sand Meaning: Creating fun structures on the beach during holidays.

Meaning: Creating fun structures on the beach during holidays.

For Example: The toddlers spent all morning building castles in the sand. / Winning the beach contest meant building castles in the sand successfully.

Other Ways to Say: Make sandcastles / Beach building

54. Taking a dip Meaning: Going for a quick and refreshing swim in water.

Meaning: Going for a quick and refreshing swim in water.

For Example: After hiking in the heat, we wanted to take a dip in the lake. / The pool water looked so cool that he decided to take a dip.

Other Ways to Say: Go swimming / Quick swim

55. Wading in the water Meaning: Walking through shallow water casually to cool off.

Meaning: Walking through shallow water casually to cool off.

For Example: The children enjoyed wading in the water along the riverbank. / Collecting seashells while wading in the water was peaceful.

Other Ways to Say: Walk in water / Shallow splash

56. Setting sail Meaning: Beginning a boat trip or cruise vacation.

Meaning: Beginning a boat trip or cruise vacation.

For Example: The large cruise ship started setting sail as passengers cheered. / Setting sail on the catamaran was the highlight of the cruise.

Other Ways to Say: Depart by boat / Start cruise

57. Anchoring down Meaning: Stopping your boat or settling into a vacation spot.

Meaning: Stopping your boat or settling into a vacation spot.

For Example: The sailors finished the day by anchoring down in a quiet cove. / Settling into our cabin felt like anchoring down for a cozy week.

Other Ways to Say: Settle in / Park boat

58. Watching the sunset Meaning: Enjoying the colorful evening sky at the end of a holiday.

Meaning: Enjoying the colorful evening sky at the end of a holiday.

For Example: Everyone gathered on the beach pier for watching the sunset. / Eating dinner while watching the sunset was magical.

Other Ways to Say: Evening view / Sunset gaze

59. Chasing sunsets Meaning: Traveling to scenic viewpoints to see beautiful evening skies.

Meaning: Traveling to scenic viewpoints to see beautiful evening skies.

For Example: They drove up the hill every evening for chasing sunsets. / Taking photos of colorful horizons meant chasing sunsets.

Other Ways to Say: Sunset viewing / Evening tours

60. Pure relaxation Meaning: The absolute peak state of rest and holiday peace.

Meaning: The absolute peak state of rest and holiday peace.

For Example: Sleeping in a hammock under palm trees brought pure relaxation. / Spending the weekend away from chores meant pure relaxation.

Other Ways to Say: Total rest / Complete calm

Exercise to Practice

1. Pack your bags because it is time to hit the ________ for camp.
2. Summer break is finally here, so go pack your ________ for the cabin.
3. While at the beach, he loved to sit on the sand and catch some ________.
4. They spent the afternoon on the patio soaking up the ________.
5. Camping in the quiet woods made him feel completely away from it ________.
6. After walking through the theme park, they stopped to take a ________.
7. Sleeping late during summer vacation helps you recharge your ________.
8. Vacation is the perfect time to let your hair ________ and have fun.
9. Listening to quiet music helps you ________ after a long day of travel.
10. Grab a book and kick ________ on the porch hammock.
11. Doctor’s orders on holiday were to take it ________ and rest.
12. Visiting the amusement park on vacation put him on ________ nine.
13. The kids were having a ________ splashing in the hotel pool.
14. Staying at the resort with room service felt like living the high ________.
15. After finishing exams, they went out and painted the town ________.

Answer Key

1. road
2. bags
3. rays
4. sun
5. all
6. breather
7. batteries
8. down
9. unwind
10. back
11. easy
12. cloud
13. blast
14. life
15. red

Conclusion

Learning idioms for vacation helps you understand travel stories, adventure books, and everyday expressions of relaxation much better. When you know what these colorful phrases mean, you can use them to describe holiday trips and fun breaks in your own writing.

Try using a few of these expressions the next time you plan a trip or take a weekend break. Practicing them out loud is a great way to remember them and make your communication sound awesome.