How To Use Winter Vocabulary and Idioms in English

While it's only winter for half the world, and even then, it doesn't snow everywhere, there are still an abundance of words that you can use for the coldest part of the year.

 

Winter Vocabulary Words in English:

Use these words to help you grow your English vocabulary when talking about winter.

Black ice

a very thin coating of ice found on roads and sidewalks that is difficult to see, and therefore quite dangerous

ex: Irina said that the black ice on her street caused 3 car accidents.

Cold snap 

(n.) - a sudden arrival of cold weather

ex: Emily wasn't prepared  for the cold snap - all of her coats were still in storage.

To hibernate 

(v.) - to sleep through the winter in order to reserve energy

ex: Whenever December arrives, I just want to hibernate like a bear until spring!

Snow drift 

(n.) - a deep pile of snow that builds up because of wind

ex: I couldn't see my car because of the giant snow drift outside the window.

To be snowbound 

(v.) - to be stranded or unable to leave a place because of heavy snowfall

ex: We were snowbound at the ski chalet for the whole weekend.

Snowfall 

(n.) - the amount of snow that comes down within a period of time

ex: What was the average snowfall over the country in the last storm?

Whiteout 

(n.) - to be unable to tell the difference between things because of an overabundance of snow

ex: After the whiteout, looking outside was like looking at a sheet of paper.

 

Winter Idioms in English:

There are lots of idioms that use winter words in order to make a point. Many of these phrases don't have much to do with winter, though, which can make them more confusing. Here are some winter themed idioms that will help your English sparkle like freshly fallen snow.
A snowball's chance in hell

To be very unlikely to succeed at something

ex: The small boat had a snowball's chance in hell of surviving the storm.

Dead of winter

The coldest, darkest part of winter

ex: It feels like the dead of winter out there.

To be on thin ice

To be in a risky situation

ex: If you keep asking him about his ex-girlfriend, you'll be on thin ice.

Pure as the driven snow

To be innocent and chaste (frequently used ironically)

ex: I never thought Madonna was pure as the driven snow, but the book she wrote is crazy!

To break the ice

To create a more friendly and relaxed atmosphere

ex: Charmaine was great at breaking the ice, she always knows what to say to people.

To run hot and cold

To be unable to make up one's mind

ex: Alexi's feelings about her run hot and cold, one minute he loves her, and the next, he's bored of her.

The snowball effect 

When something small keeps growing in importance or significance

ex: Gangnam Style's popularity was such a snowball effect.

Put something on ice 

To stop doing something

ex: Herbert is going to put the project on ice until he gets a response from his supervisor.

Snowed under 

To be overwhelmed, usually with responsibilities

ex: I'm sorry I can't go to the party tonight, I'm snowed under with homework.

 

Did you see any challenging words in the above blog post? Learn their meanings!

Vocabulary:

to be stranded - to be unable to leave a certain place
significance - importance, distinction
abundance -  a large amount of something

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