10 Idioms

 Vocabulary of Autumn

1. Autumn years – it is often used to refer to the later years in someone’s life
“In his autumn years, Peter was able to enjoy his garden a lot more”

2. Apple of my eye – someone who is cherished above everyone

“Even though Frank has three children, his youngest has always been the apple of his eye”.

3. Old chestnut – it refers to a story or a joke that has been told so many times that it becomes uninteresting.
Ted: “The best years of your life are when you’re a child”.
Sue: “Not that old chestnut again!”

4. Golden handshake – Used in Business English to refer to a large sum of money that is given to an employee (normally high level) when they leave.

“The CEO was given early retirement and a golden handshake of £800,000 when the company was restructured”.

5. Turn over a new leaf – to reform and begin again
“He has learned his lesson and have turned over a new leaf“.

6. Take a leaf out of someone’s book – to follow someone’s example

“Alex has really done well to turn his life around. You should take a leaf out of his book”.

7. Lost in the mists of time – means that something has been forgotten because it happened a long time ago
“The true significance of these traditions have been lost in the mists of time“.

8. To drive someone nuts – to make someone go crazy
“That noise is driving me nuts. Please stop at once!”

9. To be nuts about someone or something – to be obsessed with someone or something

“I am nuts about that girl. I’d do anything for her”.

10. To squirrel something away – to hide or store something like a squirrel

“Lisa squirreled away a lot of money while she was working and now she can enjoy her retirement”.