Idioms are figurative expressions that cannot be understood solely from the literal meanings of the individual words, yet they play a significant role in English communication.
These action and adventure idioms will add flavor and nuance to your conversations, and perhaps even give the motivation needed to have a good time.
To help you understand what these expressions mean and how to use them correctly, we have included a definition and example sentence with each one. So let’s jump in!
Adventure idioms
Blaze a trail
People who blaze a trail create new paths or lead the way for others to follow.
“John blazed a trail in the field of robotics with his groundbreaking inventions.”
Off to a flying start
The positive saying off to a flying start is just what you want to hear in business, travel, and any other ventures you may embark on. It refers to something beginning with great enthusiasm and success.
“The new restaurant had an excellent opening night and was off to a flying start.”
Spirit of adventure
When you have a spirit of adventure, you act with a sense of excitement, curiosity, and willingness to take risks.
“Let’s explore this uncharted territory and embrace the spirit of adventure together.”
Set sail
You might use this adventure idiom when you are beginning a trip on a boat or ship. However, set sail can be used in a broader sense to refer to starting any kind of adventure.
“The explorers set sail to discover new lands beyond the horizon.”
Find some more water-related idioms here.
Reach new heights
Hopefully, you’ll get to use some of these adventure idioms when you achieve new success or accomplish something significant. And that’s what the expression reach new heights means.
It can refer to literally reaching a physically higher position, but more often it’s a figurative position of greater success or achievement than before.
“I believe that with this partnership we can reach new heights for the company.”
“The mountain climber reached new heights when he conquered Mount Everest.”
There are lots more idioms for success that are good for encouraging others.
Break new ground
With a similar meaning, to break new ground means to pioneer a new innovation or do something that has never been done before. A person who does this may be called a groundbreaker.
“The scientists broke new ground in medicine by developing a revolutionary treatment for a rare disease.”
Take the plunge
If you have a difficult decision to make, you may need to take the plunge. This means to finally commit to a particular course of action – especially one that takes a lot of courage.
“After years of contemplating, Sarah finally took the plunge and started her own business.”
This one also appears on our list of idioms about decision-making.
Off the beaten path
To go off the beaten path or track is to take an unconventional route on a journey or explore places that others usually don’t go.
“Instead of visiting the usual tourist spots, they decided to go off the beaten path and explore the hidden gems of the city.”
The road less traveled
The best adventures sometimes take place on the road less traveled; the routes that the fewest people have taken.
This adventure idiom can be used in the same way as the one above, but it also refers to any unconventional or less popular choice or path in life.
“Jane decided to take the road less traveled and pursue a career in art instead of following the family tradition of medicine.”
If you need other travel-inspired idioms there are plenty to choose from.
Hold on tight
If you’re told to hold on tight, make sure you have a firm grasp of something secure.
This might be said when off-roading in a jeep, traveling down white water rapids in a raft, or riding on a rollercoaster!
“Everyone hold on tight, this road is pretty bumpy!”
A wild goose chase
This has to be one of the funniest adventure idioms there is!
Try to imagine chasing after some geese that are running wild. It would be hard work, difficult, and probably fruitless. And that’s exactly what happens when you are on a wild goose chase – pursuing something with little chance of success or something that is of no value.
“The detective realized he had been on a wild goose chase when he discovered the clues were all misleading.”
Animals make for great idiom topics so why not take a look at our list of bird idioms too?
In the driver’s seat
You can use some of these action sayings when you want to take the lead or be in control of a situation. This is what it means to be in the driver’s seat.
“After years of hard work, Sarah finally secured a promotion and found herself in the driver’s seat of the company.”
If you need other driving idioms, we have you covered!
Sense of adventure
It stands to reason that sense of adventure would appear on our list of adventure idioms! This refers to a natural inclination or enthusiasm for thrilling and daring experiences.
“She has always possessed a sense of adventure, seeking new challenges and embracing the unknown.”
Hit the ground running
You’ll often hear this popular running expression used in business settings. When you need to start a project or task quickly and energetically, you need to hit the ground running. There is no time to start slowly!
“James hit the ground running and immediately began making valuable contributions to the team.”
You may be wondering if it really is best (or even possible) to hit the ground running. Let’s see what the Mythbusters have to say!
Action idioms
Pull out all the stops
These action idioms can be used to show that you will do whatever is needed to make something happen.
When you pull out all the stops, you make an all-out effort or use all available resources to achieve a goal.
“The marketing team pulled out all the stops to launch a successful advertising campaign for the new product.”
On your toes
If you want to be ready for action, you should stay on your toes. There are many idioms with body parts in English, but this one means alert, focused, and ready to respond quickly to anything.
“The challenging assignments at work always keep me on my toes and push me to perform at my best.”
“I want you all to stay on your toes this afternoon. There have been reported sightings of pickpockets in this area.”
Bite the bullet
Some of these action idioms refer to making unpleasant decisions. To bite the bullet is to take an action or make a decision that requires courage and determination.
“Despite her fear of public speaking, Jane decided to bite the bullet and deliver the presentation to a large audience.”
Jump the gun
In all the excitement of the action, make sure you don’t jump the gun. That is to say, don’t act prematurely or before the appropriate time.
“Sarah jumped the gun and started celebrating before she actually won the race.”
This phrase is a sports idiom that refers to the starting pistol used for running races. You must wait until the pistol is fired before you begin, and breaking this rule too many times leads to disqualification.
Take the bull by the horns
It’s a good thing that these adventure idioms are not to be taken literally! The phrase to take the bull by the horns simply means to face a problem or challenge directly and with determination.
“Instead of avoiding the issue, Susan decided to take the bull by the horns and address the conflict head-on.”
Chomping at the bit
Have you ever felt very excited and eager to start a new adventure or take action on something? In this case, people might say you are chomping at the bit.
“I know you’re all chomping at the bit, but we need to conduct a safety briefing before we set off.”
You can find some more idioms for excitement here (and learn the origin of this one). Also note that some people say ‘champing’ rather than ‘chomping’.
Run out of steam
Hopefully, you won’t run out of steam while you are enjoying your adventures. This means to lose energy, enthusiasm, or motivation.
“After studying for hours, I ran out of steam and couldn’t focus on my assignments anymore.”
Get stuck in
To get stuck in is to begin doing something with great energy, enthusiasm, or determination.
“The whole team of volunteers go stuck in right away, and the hall was clean in a couple of hours.”
This is a primarily British idiom.
Throw in the towel
Here’s another phrase that’s almost the opposite of an action idiom. To throw in the towel is to surrender or admit defeat and stop doing something.
“After numerous failed attempts, they finally decided to throw in the towel and abandon the project.”
Throw caution to the wind
If you’re the kind of person who likes to think carefully before doing something adventurous, you may need to learn to throw caution to the wind sometimes. This means to act spontaneously, without considering the potential risks or consequences.
“With a wild gleam in his eyes, he decided to throw caution to the wind and embark on the journey of a lifetime.”
Have the guts
For some of these adventure idioms, you need to be brave. When you find the courage or audacity to do something difficult or daring, people will say that you have (the) guts.
“She had the guts to stand up for what she believed in, even when faced with opposition.”
Just to be clear, the word ‘gut’ also refers to the digestive tract – the part of your body that food passes through.
Bet the farm/ranch
Are you brave enough to bet the ranch (or farm if using British English)?
Use this saying when you need to emphasize that you are willing to risk everything to achieve your dreams, especially when it comes to investing your finances.
“He decided to bet the farm and invest all his savings into his startup, believing in its potential for success.”
Crunch time
When you hear the phrase crunch time you know something important is about to happen. It’s a critical and decisive period when maximum effort is required.
“It’s crunch time now; we need to work tirelessly to meet the deadline and deliver our best.”
The world of action and adventure idioms in English can be fun to explore. They help add excitement to everyday conversations, allowing you to convey thrilling experiences and courageous acts in an imaginative way.
Keep browsing our other resources if you want to discover more expressions and learn more about the language. And of course, feel free to leave a comment below if you can think of any other good action idioms.
