Spring is here! Well, at least according to the calendar. Maybe if we introduce some spring words to our vocabulary it will come sooner?! There are many useful idioms and phrases related to spring, bunnies and eggs that are both cool and commonly used all year round.
But wait, why do we talk about rabbits and eggs in springtime? They’re all fertility symbols: an egg as the beginning of life, and a rabbit as an animal that reproduces incredibly quickly. Fertile ground for metaphors, then! ?
Bunny, Rabbit or Hare?
What’s the difference between a rabbit and a hare? They are different species. Hares are bigger, with longer ears and legs. Rabbits are the ones whose miniature versions are kept as pets. So what is a bunny? The word was initially meant for a young girl, but then in started to refer to young and small animals — and now it usually means a baby rabbit. Here are some common phrases for each of the above:
A happy bunny
If you’re very happy with the outcome of a situation, you might describe yourself this way.
Example: If I deliver the sales report early, my boss will let me go home and I’ll be a happy bunny.
Pull a rabbit out of a hat
This expression comes from a common magic trick, but is used when you come up with an unexpected or innovative solution to a problem.
Example: You’re going to need to pull a rabbit out of a hat if you’re going to find a way to make a rabbit lay eggs.
Mad as a March hare
This phrase is used to describe a crazy and/or eccentric person. It hints at the mating season of hares and rabbits, when males can be seen seen boxing each other as part of a frenzied courtship ritual.
Example: If you think I’m gonna give you my Easter eggs, you’re mad as a March hare.
The many meanings of spring
The word “spring” has three primary meanings:
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Noun - the season that comes after winter and before summer
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Verb - to jump (like a rabbit)
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Noun - a small river or stream that comes out of the ground
Spring cleaning
This is what happens when you thoroughly clean a place, especially in springtime.
Example:
Jane: What’s your plan for the weekend?
Jill: Nothing too crazy - just a big spring cleaning of my apartment.
Spring back
To spring back from something is to recover from an unfortunate event very quickly.
Example: Mike was able to spring back into action quickly after falling off his bike as he only scratched is leg a little bit.
No spring chicken
If you’re not exactly young anymore, someone could describe you this way — although it’s not a particularly nice thing to say.
Example: She’s no spring chicken, but she’s been running marathons like a 20 year old.
And speaking of chicken…
Eggs, anyone?
There are many popular idioms and expressions related to this fertility symbol and the favourite breakfast of many.
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket
Don’t depend completely on one plan without something to fall back on.
Example: You should apply for many jobs at once. You might have one dream job, but don't put all your eggs in one basket.
Egghead
A person who’s only interested in studying, or a person who is more interested in theories than practical solutions. This is very frequently used with a negative connotation. The origin of this one is probably that an egg-shaped head is big, with a lot of space for a big brain.
Example: Mary passed all the exams already - she’s such an egghead!
Walk on eggshells
To do this is to be very diplomatic, so as not to offend. Eggshells of course are fragile and noisy if stepped on, so you’d need to be very careful not to cause a disturbance.
Example: My boss gets really angry when criticised… so when I need to make a helpful suggestion, I feel like I’m walking on eggshells.
A chicken and egg situation
Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Of course, it’s almost impossible to answer this question definitively.
Example: I need energy to get off the sofa and go get pizza, but I need the pizza to get the energy - it’s a chicken-and-egg situation.
Happy spring! ?