Christmas idioms and expressions | Baamboozle - Baamboozle

To have a snowball’s chance in hell

To have no chance at all (because a snowball would melt in hell). “I’ve got a snowball’s chance in hell of finishing all this shopping on time.”

To go the whole hog

To do something completely or enthusiastically. “We went the whole hog this year: decorations, lights, matching pyjamas - everything!"

To put something on ice

To delay or postpone something — like keeping food cold until needed. “We’ve put the project on ice until the New Year.”

To act like Scrooge / To be a Scrooge

To be mean, stingy, or unwilling to spend or celebrate (from A Christmas Carol). “Don’t be such a Scrooge — it’s Christmas!”

To make a pig of yourself

To eat or drink too much. “I really made a pig of myself at Christmas lunch.”

To be stuffed

To be extremely full after eating too much. “I couldn’t eat another bite - I’m stuffed!”

As snug as a bug in a rug

Warm and comfortable, often indoors in winter. “I love being at home with hot chocolate, snug as a bug in a rug.”

It’s not all tinsel and baubles

It’s not all fun and glamour — there’s a downside too. “People think working in retail at Christmas is magical, but it’s not all tinsel and baubles.”

To leave someone holding the baby

To leave someone responsible for a problem or task. “Everyone went home early and left me holding the baby with all the cleaning up!”

To light up like a Christmas tree

To become very bright or happy (literally or figuratively). “He lit up like a Christmas tree when he saw the decorations.”

To be snowed under

To have too much work or too many responsibilities. “I’m snowed under with work before the holidays.”

White elephant

A gift exchange game. "I got a singing Santa mug in the white elephant exchange - totally useless but hilarious"

It’s the thought that counts

The kindness behind a gift matters more than the gift itself. “Don’t worry if it’s not expensive - it’s the thought that counts.”

Don’t get your tinsel in a tangle

Don’t get stressed or upset. “The turkey’s burnt? Don’t get your tinsel in a tangle - we’ll order pizza!”

Cold turkey

To suddenly stop a habit or addiction. “He gave up smoking cold turkey in January.”

Holiday blues

Feeling sad or depressed during the holiday season. "Some people get the holiday blues when they spend Christmas away from family."

Be my guest

A polite way to invite or allow someone to do something. "Can I have another mince pie? - Be my guest!"

The more, the merrier

The more people join, the better it is. “Sure, invite your friends to dinner - the more, the merrier!”

Be there with bells on

Be very eager and enthusiastic to go somewhere. “Are you coming to the Christmas party?” “Of course - I’ll be there with bells on!”

Don't look a gift horse in the mouth

Don’t criticize or question the value of a gift you receive. "He complained about the scarf his aunt gave him - talk about looking a gift horse in the mouth!"

Giving someone the cold shoulder

To give someone the cold shoulder. “After the argument at Christmas dinner, she gave him the cold shoulder.”

Skating on thin ice

Doing something risky or likely to get you in trouble. "You’re skating on thin ice coming late to the family dinner again!"

Christmas comes but once a year

An excuse for indulgence - it’s fine to celebrate or spend a little extra. “Go on, have another piece of cake - Christmas comes but once a year!”

To ring in the New Year

To celebrate the arrival of the new year. “We’re ringing in the New Year with fireworks and champagne.”

To trim the tree

To decorate the Christmas tree. “We always trim the tree together on December 1st.”

All my Christmases have come together/at once

A situation where everything good happens at the same time. "You got promoted and you’re going on holiday? All your Christmases have come together/at once!”

Like turkeys voting for Christmas

Doing something that’s clearly against your own interests. "Teachers asking for more exams is like turkeys voting for Christmas.”

Eat, drink and be merry

Enjoy yourself, especially during celebrations. "It’s Christmas — eat, drink and be merry!”

Don’t be left out in the cold

Ignored or excluded from something. "All my coworkers got Christmas bonuses, but I was left out in the cold."

The proof is in the pudding

You can only judge the quality of something after you try it. "You say your Christmas cake is amazing, but the proof is in the pudding - let’s taste it!"

'Tis the season (to be jolly)

A cheerful way of saying “It’s the festive season.” “Let’s forget our worries - ’tis the season to be jolly!”

Deck the halls

To decorate for Christmas (from the carol “Deck the Halls”). “We spent the weekend decking the halls with tinsel and fairy lights.”

Christmas came early

Something good happened unexpectedly or earlier than expected. “I got my exam results and passed everything - Christmas came early!”