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.”
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."
Giving someone the cold shoulder
To give someone the cold shoulder. “After the argument at Christmas dinner, she gave him the cold shoulder.”
Cold turkey
To suddenly stop a habit or addiction. “He gave up smoking cold turkey in January.”
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!"
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!"
Holiday blues
Feeling sad or depressed during the holiday season. "Some people get the holiday blues when they spend Christmas away from family."
'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!”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
Christmas came early
Something good happened unexpectedly or earlier than expected. “I got my exam results and passed everything - Christmas came early!”
White elephant
A gift exchange game. "I got a singing Santa mug in the white elephant exchange - totally useless but hilarious"
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!”
The more, the merrier
The more people join, the better it is. “Sure, invite your friends to dinner - the more, the merrier!”
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 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!”
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.”
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 ring in the New Year
To celebrate the arrival of the new year. “We’re ringing in the New Year with fireworks and champagne.”
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 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.”
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 be snowed under
To have too much work or too many responsibilities. “I’m snowed under with work before the holidays.”
Eat, drink and be merry
Enjoy yourself, especially during celebrations. "It’s Christmas — eat, drink and be merry!”
To go the whole hog
To do something completely or enthusiastically. “We went the whole hog this year: decorations, lights, matching pyjamas - everything!"
To make a pig of yourself
To eat or drink too much. “I really made a pig of myself at Christmas lunch.”
Be my guest
A polite way to invite or allow someone to do something. "Can I have another mince pie? - Be my guest!"
To be stuffed
To be extremely full after eating too much. “I couldn’t eat another bite - I’m stuffed!”
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!"
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!”
Your experience on this site will be improved by allowing cookies.