Stonehenge at sunrise.
The summer solstice, also known as ‘the longest day’, is celebrated this year on June 20, 2008. This day of the year has the most hours of daylight and shortest night. In the Northern Hemisphere it always occurs in mid-June, while in the Southern Hemisphere it occurs in December.
In England, people gather at the mystical and ancient Stonehenge (pictured above) to welcome in the sunrise.
In celebration of the summer solstice, here are three natural English expressions (idioms) using the words sun, shine and summer.
To make hay while the sun shines
A place in the sun
A job or situation which makes you happy and gives you everything you need and want.
‘Joey has got a new job as an illustrator. He loves it! He’s finally found his place in the sun.’
To think the sun shines out of someone's backside (very casual/not polite)
To love someone so much that you think they are perfect. This has a negative image as we usually use it when someone loves another person too much and forgets their faults.
A knight in shining armour
Come rain or shine (or 'whatever the weather')
To take a shine to someone
An Indian summer
Warm sunny weather in autumn, when it would usually be colder.
‘Many places in Europe are now enjoying an Indian summer in September.’
Comments
I am trying to use them
To make hay while the sun shines- This is the best offer that I have ever heard! What are you hesitating for? My advice to you is to make hay while the sun shines.
A place in the sun- He had once been down and out after the burst-up. Fortunately, he managed to screw himself up to start a new life. Now, he has got his place in the sun.
To think the sun shines out of someone's backside- Don't just think the sun shines out of her backside. You know, that's why your romances always ended up with being disappointed.
A knight in shining amour- Adrian has been despised by his colleagues all these years. However, He was turning into a knight in shining amour at today's meeting by speaking out their demands to the boss.
Come rain or shine- It is the last day of the book exhibition. I will go there after work, come rain or shine.
To take a shine to someone- That's always the case. I can see our boss has taken a shine to the sexy secretary.
An Indian summer- The autumn in Beijing this year is much warmer than last year. Would you like to come and enjoy an Indian summer with me?
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Every witch has her own crystal ball.
Awesome stuff!!!!!
Peace on earth
Jokapeci
This is awesome learning. thank you very much. i have used a few of the idioms but it's just great how you've explained what each idiom means. i guess i'll now be using a few more with confidence. also, I have gained new knowledge which I can share with students via radio lessons. your e-learning program is tops!!!!! (did I use 'tops' correctly?)
Excellent. I try to remember
Excellent. I try to remember and use them! Thanks.