When you use English wind idioms, you’re not always talking about the weather! As you’re about to find out, these phrases cover the way people speak, move, and think – and much more.
Not to worry though, we have included definitions and example sentences with each expression to make this list of wind idioms as helpful as possible.
It’s also important to understand what idioms are as they are extremely common and used often by native speakers.
Wind idioms
Blowing a gale
We’ll start this list of wind idioms with one that is actually about the wind. If it’s blowing a gale outside, the wind is very strong and blustery.
“Be careful walking to school; it’s blowing a gale out there!”
‘Gale’ is a technical term used on the Beaufort Scale to describe wind that reaches a specific speed. However, people use this wind expression more freely to describe any kind of strong wind.
The calm before the storm
Have you ever noticed the wind become calm and still just before a big storm hits? This is referred to as the calm before the storm. This phrase can also be used more figuratively to refer to a moment of calm before a period of intense activity.
“The party starts in an hour and I think we have everything prepared, so enjoy the calm before the storm.”
There are lots more storm and rain idioms you can discover, as well as more general sayings about the weather.
Wind of change
A wind of change is an event or series of events that bring about or signal significant changes.
“I feel there is a wind of change now that Mary is in charge.”
You could also refer to winds of change, meaning the same thing.
“Winds of change are blowing in this city at the moment. The protests are just the beginning.”
Bend like/with the wind
To bend like the wind or bend with the wind is to be able to adapt to your circumstances and flow with changes as opposed to breaking or snapping. It’s the skill of being resilient during hard or turbulent times.
“I’m trying to bend with the wind during this market downturn.”
Another version of this saying is ‘bend like a reed in the wind‘.
A breeze
After reading this list of wind idioms, explaining their meanings will be a breeze. You can use this expression to describe something that is easy or effortless.
“The test was a breeze.”
Of course, ‘a breeze’ also refers to a gentle wind when we use it literally.
Break wind
Now, let’s try to be adults about this one. Not all wind idioms can be inspiring! To break wind is to flatulate: to pass internal gasses generated during digestion through your anus. In other words, ‘breaking wind’ is a polite term for ‘farting’.
“It was so funny. He kept breaking wind throughout the show!”
Breeze past
It is possible to breeze past a person, thing, or topic. It is the act of moving around something, normally very quickly, without much effort, thought, or concern.
“Did you notice that she breezed past the pay raise section in the budget meeting?”
“Elena just breezed past me this morning without saying hello.”
Fan the flames
To fan the flames of an actual fire can be very dangerous as you’re adding more air to the fire and making it hotter and bigger, and perhaps causing it to get out of control.
Used figuratively as a wind idiom, though, this is the act of deliberately making a bad or dangerous situation worse, or intensifying someone’s feelings.
“Ok, Andy. I think he’s mad enough. No need to fan the flames.”
“The CEO’s comments have really fanned the flames among employees.”
There are many more idioms about fire for you to discover here.
Three sheets to the wind
The meaning of three sheets to the wind is very simple. It just means you’re extremely drunk, perhaps staggering around out of control.
“Last night I was three sheets to the wind and now I’m feeling a bit ill.”
What complicates this expression is the fact that different people use different numbers. One person might say ‘two sheets to the wind’ whereas another may say ‘four’. Maybe the bigger the number, the drunker the person?
So, where did this idiom come from and how many sheets should it be?
Spitting in/into the wind
If you ever find yourself wasting your time doing something that is pointless or that has little chance of success, then you are spitting into the wind.
“Dave, you might as well stop doing it that way. You’re just spitting into the wind.”
A more vulgar, but perhaps more common, version of this phrase is pissing in the wind. It may be impolite to say, but it is amusing to imagine: whatever you expel will be blown straight back onto you!
You may also hear whistle in the wind, which means much the same thing, especially if you are futilely trying to bring about a change that is never going to happen.
Left hanging/twisting in the wind
There are some wind idioms that you really want apply to your life, but sadly this isn’t one of them. To be left hanging or twisting in the wind is to be left in a very bad situation, especially if you have been abandoned and left to take the blame or deal with the consequences of another’s actions.
“I can’t believe you all ran away and left me hanging in the wind when it wasn’t even my idea.”
Would you like to know some more idioms about bad situations?
More wind idioms
Second wind
Getting your second wind during a period of exercise is a pretty amazing thing. This is when you get renewed energy and strength after a period of exertion.
You might hear this used as a sports idiom when an athlete or team seems to get fresh energy, but it could also refer to being able to refocus on a work task after feeling mentally tired.
“The boxer got a second wind in the 8th round and went on to win.”
Knock/take the wind out of someone’s sails
Not to be confused with having the wind knocked out of you (see below), when you knock the wind out of someone’s sails you cause them to become less confident or bold, or reduce their energy or vigor.
“I can’t believe how angry she got. It really knocked the wind out of Steve’s sails.”
Have the wind knocked out of you
Sometimes, a strong blow to the chest or stomach can wind you or knock the wind out of you, meaning you have difficulty breathing for a while.
Experiencing a shock or receiving some awful news may also cause you to become breathless, feeling like you have had the wind knocked out of you, and this is how we use the expression as an idiom.
“Honestly, I had the wind knocked out of me when I heard about the accident.”
Get/catch wind of something
Did you notice that hardly any of these wind idioms are related to the wind found in nature? The expression catch wind of something is a talking idiom that actually refers to hearing some gossip or information (normally about yourself) that was supposed to be a secret.
“I got wind that something was wrong.”
“Alan caught wind of the changes before they were officially announced.”
Move/run like the wind
Here’s a nice simple wind idiom. When you move or run like the wind you simply move fast and with agility, perhaps appearing to vanish from sight.
“That runner was moving like the wind today.”
“You’d better run like the wind, otherwise you’ll miss your train.”
Check out some more walking and running idioms for other ways to describe this kind of motion.
Throw caution to the wind
Try to remember this saying when you want to appear fearless. When you throw caution to the wind, you do things without worry or concern about the consequences. You may even behave in a way that would be considered reckless.
“I just threw caution to the wind and bought myself a new car.”
This saying also appears on our list of action and adventure idioms.
Which way the wind is blowing / How the wind blows
Both of these expressions mean the same thing. They are used to say that you will make a decision later based on how a situation develops.
“Let’s see which way the wind is blowing before I make my decision.”
“I’m not sure whether the show will go ahead with all this snow. Let’s see how the wind blows tomorrow.”
Windbag
Out of all of these wind idioms, we hope nobody uses this term when talking about you.
A windbag is someone who says a lot but doesn’t get to the point, and what they say is of very little value. It could be that their long stories are boring, or they gossip or brag too much.
“I have to say the new guy is a bit of a windbag.”
It’s surprising how many bag idioms are negative ways to describe people!
And that concludes our list of popular wind idioms. If you found them useful, why not check out some idioms about nature next? Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions or suggestions for us.
