When learning English, idioms add color and depth to everyday conversations. An idiom is a phrase or expression that carries a figurative meaning different from its literal words. Using idioms makes language sound more natural, expressive, and even fun.
Among the many themes in idiomatic expressions, idioms for relax are especially useful. They help you describe moments of calm, ease, and stress-free living in creative ways.
Whether you are unwinding after a busy day, encouraging a friend to stay calm, or writing something lighthearted, knowing idioms about relaxation can make your English richer and more natural.
From casual phrases like “take it easy” to poetic ones such as “rest on your laurels,” idioms about relaxing are widely used in both spoken and written English.
In this article, you’ll discover a wide collection of idioms for relax, organized in groups for better understanding, along with their meanings, examples, and notes.
Did You Know?
Many idioms related to relaxation have roots in history and culture. For example, “put your feet up” comes from the traditional act of sitting back in a chair with feet resting on a stool after work. Similarly, “rest on your laurels” dates back to ancient Greece, where winners were crowned with laurel wreaths and could enjoy their fame in peace.
Idioms for Staying Calm
Take It Easy
Meaning: Relax and avoid stress.
Example: You’ve been working all day, just take it easy tonight.
Similar Idiom: Chill out.
Note: Commonly used in informal conversation.
Chill Out
Meaning: Stay calm and relaxed.
Example: Don’t stress about the exam, just chill out.
Similar Idiom: Take a breather.
Note: Very informal, popular among young people.
Keep Your Cool
Meaning: Stay calm under pressure.
Example: Even when the meeting got heated, she managed to keep her cool.
Similar Idiom: Stay composed.
Note: Can be used in both formal and informal settings.
Easy Does It
Meaning: Don’t rush, go slowly and calmly.
Example: Easy does it, don’t spill the paint.
Similar Idiom: Take it slow.
Note: Often used when giving instructions.
Rest Easy
Meaning: Be at peace or free from worry.
Example: You can rest easy knowing your kids are safe.
Similar Idiom: Have peace of mind.
Note: Sounds slightly formal, good in writing.
Smooth Sailing
Meaning: A calm and easy situation.
Example: After we solved the first problem, the rest of the project was smooth sailing.
Similar Idiom: A walk in the park.
Note: Informal, often used for tasks and situations.
Cool as a Cucumber
Meaning: Very calm and relaxed even in stressful times.
Example: Despite the chaos, he was cool as a cucumber.
Similar Idiom: Unflappable.
Note: Informal, commonly used to describe people.
Go With the Flow
Meaning: Accept things as they come without stress.
Example: I usually go with the flow during family trips.
Similar Idiom: Take things as they come.
Note: Popular in daily life and casual settings.
Hang Loose
Meaning: Relax and not worry too much.
Example: On vacation, all we did was hang loose on the beach.
Similar Idiom: Take it easy.
Note: Informal, especially American slang.
Keep It Cool
Meaning: Remain relaxed and calm.
Example: When giving presentations, it’s best to keep it cool.
Similar Idiom: Keep calm.
Note: Works in both social and professional contexts.
Idioms for Taking a Break
Put Your Feet Up
Meaning: Sit back and rest after work.
Example: After finishing the chores, she put her feet up with a cup of tea.
Similar Idiom: Kick back.
Note: Informal, used for physical relaxation.
Kick Back
Meaning: Relax in a laid-back manner.
Example: Let’s kick back and watch a movie tonight.
Similar Idiom: Put your feet up.
Note: Informal, casual everyday use.
Take a Breather
Meaning: Rest for a short while.
Example: Let’s take a breather before we continue the hike.
Similar Idiom: Pause for a break.
Note: Common in conversations about work or exercise.
Time Off
Meaning: A period of rest away from work.
Example: He took some time off to recharge.
Similar Idiom: Break from work.
Note: Frequently used in professional contexts.
R & R (Rest and Relaxation)
Meaning: A time to rest and refresh oneself.
Example: Soldiers often look forward to some R & R.
Similar Idiom: Downtime.
Note: Can be both formal and informal.
A Change of Scenery
Meaning: A short break in a new environment to feel refreshed.
Example: We need a change of scenery after months at the office.
Similar Idiom: Getaway.
Note: Commonly used for travel or mini-breaks.
Downtime
Meaning: Free time when you can relax.
Example: I usually read books during my downtime.
Similar Idiom: Spare time.
Note: Informal, daily life usage.
Unwind
Meaning: Relax after stress or work.
Example: She likes to unwind by listening to music.
Similar Idiom: De-stress.
Note: Can be used in both casual and professional writing.
Take Five
Meaning: Rest briefly.
Example: The teacher told us to take five before continuing.
Similar Idiom: Short break.
Note: Informal, mostly American English.
Recharge Your Batteries
Meaning: Rest to regain energy.
Example: I need a weekend trip to recharge my batteries.
Similar Idiom: Refuel.
Note: Informal, often used in work-related contexts.
Idioms for Letting Go of Worries
Lighten Up
Meaning: Stop being too serious, relax.
Example: Lighten up, it’s just a game.
Similar Idiom: Loosen up.
Note: Informal, often used jokingly.
Take a Load Off
Meaning: Sit down and relax.
Example: Come in and take a load off after your long trip.
Similar Idiom: Put your feet up.
Note: Casual and friendly.
Breathe Easy
Meaning: Relax after a stressful time.
Example: We could finally breathe easy after the results came in.
Similar Idiom: Rest easy.
Note: Informal but widely used.
Rest on Your Laurels
Meaning: Relax after success and stop pushing further.
Example: After winning the award, he rested on his laurels.
Similar Idiom: Take it easy after victory.
Note: Slightly formal, often in writing.
Let Your Hair Down
Meaning: Relax and enjoy without worries.
Example: At the party, everyone let their hair down.
Similar Idiom: Cut loose.
Note: Very informal, used in fun contexts.
Take the Weight Off Your Shoulders
Meaning: Release stress or responsibility.
Example: Talking to a friend can take the weight off your shoulders.
Similar Idiom: Unburden yourself.
Note: Emotional, used in daily life.
Loosen Up
Meaning: Become more relaxed.
Example: He finally loosened up after meeting new friends.
Similar Idiom: Lighten up.
Note: Informal and casual.
Ease Off
Meaning: Reduce effort or stress.
Example: The boss told us to ease off after the deadline passed.
Similar Idiom: Slow down.
Note: Informal, sometimes used in workplaces.
Cut Loose
Meaning: Relax and behave freely.
Example: It’s time to cut loose and have fun this weekend.
Similar Idiom: Let your hair down.
Note: Informal, especially at social gatherings.
A Weight Off Your Mind
Meaning: Relief after solving a worry.
Example: Passing the test was a weight off my mind.
Similar Idiom: Breathe easy.
Note: Everyday usage, emotional context.
Idioms for Complete Relaxation
In Seventh Heaven
Meaning: Extremely happy and relaxed.
Example: She was in seventh heaven on her spa day.
Similar Idiom: On cloud nine.
Note: Informal, poetic.
A Couch Potato
Meaning: A very lazy person who relaxes too much.
Example: He spent the weekend as a couch potato, watching TV.
Similar Idiom: Lazybones.
Note: Informal, slightly humorous.
Laid-Back
Meaning: Easygoing and relaxed personality.
Example: He has a laid-back attitude to life.
Similar Idiom: Easygoing.
Note: Used to describe people.
At Ease
Meaning: Comfortable and relaxed.
Example: I feel at ease in her company.
Similar Idiom: Relaxed.
Note: Slightly formal.
Out Like a Light
Meaning: Fall asleep quickly.
Example: After the trip, she was out like a light.
Similar Idiom: Dead to the world.
Note: Informal, daily life use.
Snooze Fest
Meaning: Something boring that makes you relaxed or sleepy.
Example: The lecture was a real snooze fest.
Similar Idiom: Yawn fest.
Note: Very informal, humorous.
Dead to the World
Meaning: Sleeping deeply.
Example: He was dead to the world after the long flight.
Similar Idiom: Out like a light.
Note: Casual and everyday.
Lounge Around
Meaning: Relax lazily without doing much.
Example: We lounged around all Sunday afternoon.
Similar Idiom: Laze about.
Note: Informal, casual.
Dream Away
Meaning: Spend time daydreaming in relaxation.
Example: She dreamt away the afternoon by the window.
Similar Idiom: Drift off.
Note: Poetic, sometimes literary.
Take It Slow
Meaning: Relax by not rushing.
Example: We’re on vacation, so let’s take it slow.
Similar Idiom: Easy does it.
Note: Informal and casual.
How to Use These Idioms in Daily Life
Idioms for relax can be used in speaking when encouraging friends to stay calm, planning vacations, or describing how you unwind. For example, saying “Let’s kick back and relax” sounds more natural than simply saying “Let’s rest.”
In writing, especially blogs, social media, or emails, idioms add a friendly and creative tone. Example: “After such a hectic week, it’s finally time to put our feet up.”
In professional usage, you can use softer idioms like “take some time off” or “recharge your batteries” in workplace communication, while avoiding overly casual ones like “chill out.”
Common Mistakes Learners Make With Idioms
- Wrong: I put my feet down after work.
Correct: I put my feet up after work.
(Mixing words changes the meaning entirely.) - Wrong: She is out like light.
Correct: She is out like a light.
(Articles are important in idioms.) - Wrong: He keeps his cucumber in the exam.
Correct: He is cool as a cucumber in the exam.
(Literal translation makes no sense.)
FAQs
1. What does “take it easy” mean?
It means to relax and not stress about things. It is one of the most common idioms for relax.
2. Can I use idioms in formal writing?
Yes, but choose wisely. Idioms like “recharge your batteries” or “time off” are fine in emails, while informal ones like “chill out” are better for casual talk.
3. Are idioms for relax common in American and British English?
Yes, though some differ in popularity. For example, “take five” is more American, while “put your feet up” is widely used in British English.
4. Do idioms make me sound more fluent?
Absolutely! Using idioms naturally makes your English sound advanced and more like native speakers.
5. How can I practice idioms for relax?
Use them in daily conversations, social media posts, and even journaling. The more you use them, the more natural they’ll feel.
Conclusion
Relaxation is an important part of life, and English has a wealth of idioms to describe it in colorful ways.
From telling a friend to “take it easy” to describing yourself as “laid-back” or “out like a light,” these expressions make language vivid and relatable.
By practicing these idioms, you can sound more natural, confident, and fluent in everyday English. So next time you need a break, don’t just say “rest”—try one of these idioms and bring your English to life!
