Idioms are phrases that go beyond their literal meaning, bringing vivid imagery and creative flair into everyday speech. When it comes to the sun, there are dozens of expressions that brighten our language and add warmth to our words. Whether you’re describing a cheerful personality, a hot summer day, or a moment of clarity, sun-related idioms help paint a more colorful picture.
These idioms are especially fun for writers, students, and language lovers who want to boost their vocabulary while staying sunny-side up. They appear in stories, conversations, weather reports, and even poetry—helping people express hope, happiness, heat, and light in ways that are imaginative and relatable.
In this post, you’ll explore 38 popular idioms about the sun, complete with clear meanings, sample sentences, and alternative ways to say them. So grab your shades, soak in some word sunshine, and let’s dive into this bright and beautiful list of idioms inspired by our favorite star in the sky.
Idioms for The Sun
1. Make hay while the sun shines
Meaning: Take advantage of an opportunity while it lasts.
In a Sentence: I finished all my outdoor chores today because I wanted to make hay while the sun shines.
Other Ways to Say: Act while you can, Don’t miss the chance
2. A place in the sun
Meaning: A position of comfort, success, or happiness.
In a Sentence: After years of hard work, she finally earned her place in the sun with a well-deserved promotion.
Other Ways to Say: Well-earned success, Comfortable spot
3. Everything under the sun
Meaning: Everything possible or imaginable.
In a Sentence: That store sells everything under the sun, from beach balls to banana chips.
Other Ways to Say: Every possible thing, A wide variety
4. A ray of sunshine
Meaning: Someone who brings happiness or positivity.
In a Sentence: My little sister is a ray of sunshine who always makes me smile, even on bad days.
Other Ways to Say: Source of joy, Bright presence
5. It’s a scorcher
Meaning: A very hot day.
In a Sentence: Don’t forget your sunscreen—it’s a scorcher out there today!
Other Ways to Say: Super hot day, Heatwave weather
6. Walking on sunshine
Meaning: Feeling extremely happy or joyful.
In a Sentence: I’ve been walking on sunshine ever since I got accepted to my dream college.
Other Ways to Say: On cloud nine, Feeling great
7. Catch some rays
Meaning: Spend time in the sun, usually to relax or tan.
In a Sentence: We went to the beach this weekend to catch some rays and enjoy the waves.
Other Ways to Say: Sunbathe, Soak up the sun
8. Chasing the sun
Meaning: Trying to enjoy life or travel before time runs out.
In a Sentence: They’ve been chasing the sun all summer, hopping from one tropical island to another.
Other Ways to Say: Living to the fullest, Seeking fun and freedom
9. Sun-kissed
Meaning: Lightly tanned or warmed by the sun.
In a Sentence: Her sun-kissed skin glowed after a relaxing weekend by the lake.
Other Ways to Say: Gently tanned, Glowing with warmth
10. Under the sun
Meaning: Refers to anything on Earth or within the world.
In a Sentence: He tried every trick under the sun to fix that old computer.
Other Ways to Say: Everything imaginable, All possible options
11. Face like thunder
Meaning: Looking very angry or gloomy—often contrasted with sunshine.
In a Sentence: When I told him the concert was canceled, he had a face like thunder.
Other Ways to Say: Gloomy expression, Really mad look
12. In the spotlight
Meaning: To be the center of attention, similar to being “in the sun.”
In a Sentence: She was in the spotlight after winning first place at the talent show.
Other Ways to Say: Center of attention, In the limelight
13. A sunny disposition
Meaning: A cheerful and optimistic personality.
In a Sentence: His sunny disposition always lifted the mood of the entire team during stressful meetings.
Other Ways to Say: Cheerful nature, Positive attitude
14. Sunshine and rainbows
Meaning: A situation that seems perfect or overly optimistic.
In a Sentence: Life isn’t always sunshine and rainbows—there are tough days too.
Other Ways to Say: Unrealistically happy, Too perfect to be true
15. Like a sunbeam
Meaning: A person or moment that brings light and joy.
In a Sentence: Her laughter was like a sunbeam that filled the room with energy.
Other Ways to Say: Bright moment, Joyful presence
16. Under a blazing sun
Meaning: In very hot and intense sunlight.
In a Sentence: The hikers trudged forward under a blazing sun, searching for the next shaded rest stop.
Other Ways to Say: In extreme heat, Scorching sunlight
17. Like ice in the sun
Meaning: Something that disappears or weakens quickly.
In a Sentence: Their excitement melted like ice in the sun when they heard the concert was postponed.
Other Ways to Say: Faded fast, Didn’t last long
18. Follow the sun
Meaning: To go where the weather or mood is better—often used for lifestyle choices.
In a Sentence: They decided to follow the sun and move to a warmer country for a simpler life.
Other Ways to Say: Seek warmth, Travel to happy places
19. A sun-drenched spot
Meaning: A place filled with warm sunshine.
In a Sentence: We set up our picnic in a sun-drenched spot near the edge of the lake.
Other Ways to Say: Sunny area, Bright and warm place
20. Soak up the sun
Meaning: To enjoy being in the sunlight.
In a Sentence: After a long winter, I couldn’t wait to sit outside and soak up the sun.
Other Ways to Say: Bask in sunlight, Enjoy the warmth
21. Blinded by the sun
Meaning: Unable to see clearly because of strong sunlight or distraction.
In a Sentence: I missed the street sign because I was blinded by the sun during my drive.
Other Ways to Say: Dazzled by light, Overwhelmed or distracted
22. Hotter than the sun
Meaning: Extremely hot, often used humorously.
In a Sentence: My coffee was hotter than the sun—I nearly burned my tongue!
Other Ways to Say: Boiling hot, Scorching
23. Nothing new under the sun
Meaning: Everything has been seen or done before.
In a Sentence: Another plot twist in a superhero movie? There’s nothing new under the sun.
Other Ways to Say: Same old thing, Been done before
24. Like staring at the sun
Meaning: Difficult or intense to look at or face.
In a Sentence: Trying to understand that complex diagram was like staring at the sun.
Other Ways to Say: Hard to deal with, Overwhelming
25. The sun will rise again
Meaning: Things will get better after hard times.
In a Sentence: Even though she failed the exam, I told her the sun will rise again.
Other Ways to Say: There’s hope ahead, Better days are coming
26. A sunny outlook
Meaning: Having a hopeful or positive perspective on life.
In a Sentence: Despite the setback, she kept a sunny outlook and stayed motivated.
Other Ways to Say: Optimistic view, Positive mindset
27. Under a tropical sun
Meaning: In a hot and sunny tropical location.
In a Sentence: We spent our honeymoon relaxing under a tropical sun with coconut drinks in hand.
Other Ways to Say: On a sunny island, In the tropics
28. Like the sun breaking through clouds
Meaning: A sudden moment of clarity, hope, or happiness.
In a Sentence: His kind words were like the sun breaking through clouds on my rough day.
Other Ways to Say: A light in the darkness, Unexpected joy
29. Between the sun and the moon
Meaning: Caught between two opposing ideas or choices.
In a Sentence: She felt trapped between the sun and the moon—torn between logic and love.
Other Ways to Say: Stuck in the middle, Conflicted
30. Rise like the sun
Meaning: To start something strong, hopeful, and full of energy.
In a Sentence: They rose like the sun, full of excitement on the first day of their new journey.
Other Ways to Say: Begin with power, Start fresh and bright
31. Set like the sun
Meaning: To slowly fade or come to an end.
In a Sentence: His interest in photography set like the sun after he found a new hobby.
Other Ways to Say: Lose interest, Gradually stop
32. The warmth of the sun
Meaning: The comforting or peaceful feeling of love, care, or joy.
In a Sentence: Her smile carried the warmth of the sun and melted all my worries away.
Other Ways to Say: Soothing feeling, Deep comfort
33. Shine like the sun
Meaning: To stand out or be brilliant in a positive way.
In a Sentence: During her performance, she shined like the sun and left the crowd amazed.
Other Ways to Say: Radiate brilliance, Sparkle
34. The sun never sets on (something)
Meaning: Refers to something global or always active.
In a Sentence: The sun never sets on their business empire—it operates in every time zone.
Other Ways to Say: Always happening, Worldwide reach
35. Melt like snow in the sun
Meaning: To disappear quickly and without warning.
In a Sentence: His excuses melted like snow in the sun once we saw the security footage.
Other Ways to Say: Vanish quickly, Lose power fast
36. Bathed in sunlight
Meaning: Fully lit and surrounded by sunlight.
In a Sentence: The entire garden was bathed in sunlight, making it look like a painting.
Other Ways to Say: Glowing with light, Flooded with sunshine
37. Under the golden sun
Meaning: In a beautiful and warm environment.
In a Sentence: They danced together under the golden sun at the beachside wedding.
Other Ways to Say: In lovely sunshine, Surrounded by golden light
38. A sunbeam of hope
Meaning: A small but powerful sign of good things to come.
In a Sentence: The letter from her childhood friend was a sunbeam of hope during her tough times.
Other Ways to Say: Spark of light, Bit of positivity
Exercise to Practice
Fill in the blanks:
- I’m going to _______ some rays while we’re at the pool.
- After losing his job, he still kept a _______ outlook on life.
- Her laughter was like a _______ breaking through clouds.
- We made the most of our vacation and stayed outdoors under the _______ sun.
- His motivation melted like _______ in the sun when the challenge got tough.
- This lemonade stand has everything _______ the sun—cookies, juice, and even sunglasses.
- They danced together under the _______ sun and forgot all their worries.
- We picked a _______-drenched spot in the park to enjoy our sandwiches.
- She shined like the _______ in her bright yellow dress.
- Their love story faded and set like the _______.
- Despite the storm, remember—the _______ will rise again.
- You can’t fool me; I’ve tried every trick _______ the sun.
Answers:
catch, sunny, sun, blazing, ice, under, golden, sun, sun, sun, sun, under
Conclusion
Sun-related idioms are not just beautiful—they’re meaningful, uplifting, and full of life. These expressions help us speak about warmth, clarity, joy, and even challenges in creative ways that everyone can relate to. Whether you’re describing a bright moment or a hot summer afternoon, these idioms add energy and emotion to your everyday conversations.
As you continue learning, try using these sunny phrases in writing, chats with friends, or even journaling. Over time, they’ll become a natural part of your language toolkit. Keep shining, and let your words brighten someone’s day—just like the sun.
