Thanksgiving is a special time when families come together to eat, share, and feel thankful. It’s also a fun time to talk about food, family, and feelings in different ways. People often use idioms, which are phrases that don’t mean exactly what the words say. They help us speak in a more fun and colorful way. For example, someone might say, “Talk turkey,” and they’re not really talking to a bird!
Idioms about Thanksgiving are phrases that we hear around this holiday. They can be about eating, spending time with others, or feeling full. In this article, you’ll learn many of these expressions. You’ll also see what they mean and how people use them in real life. Let’s take a look and see which ones you already know!
Idioms about Thanksgiving
1. Talk turkey
Meaning: To talk seriously.
Within a Sentence: Let’s talk turkey about the chores. / It’s time to talk turkey about the test.
In Other Words: Let’s be honest. / Let’s get serious.
2. Stuffed to the gills
Meaning: Very full from eating.
Within a Sentence: After dinner, I was stuffed to the gills. / He was stuffed to the gills with pie.
In Other Words: Too full. / Ate too much.
3. Count your blessings
Meaning: Be thankful for what you have.
Within a Sentence: Count your blessings this Thanksgiving. / She counted her blessings when her family visited.
In Other Words: Be thankful. / Notice good things.
4. Feast your eyes
Meaning: Look at something beautiful or special.
Within a Sentence: Feast your eyes on the big turkey. / They feasted their eyes on the colorful pies.
In Other Words: Look at something nice. / Enjoy looking.
5. Cold turkey
Meaning: To stop something right away.
Within a Sentence: He quit candy cold turkey. / She gave up soda cold turkey.
In Other Words: Stop suddenly. / Quit fast.
6. Talk with your mouth full
Meaning: To speak while eating.
Within a Sentence: Don’t talk with your mouth full. / He kept talking with his mouth full during dinner.
In Other Words: Speak while chewing. / Not polite.
7. Gobble it up
Meaning: Eat very quickly.
Within a Sentence: I gobbled up the mashed potatoes. / He gobbled up his pie in seconds.
In Other Words: Eat fast. / Finish quickly.
8. Bring home the bacon
Meaning: To earn money or provide for the family.
Within a Sentence: Dad brings home the bacon. / She works hard to bring home the bacon.
In Other Words: Earn money. / Support the family.
9. The gravy train
Meaning: Easy money or success.
Within a Sentence: His new job is a gravy train. / That game win was a gravy train.
In Other Words: Easy reward. / Good luck.
10. Quit cold turkey
Meaning: Stop doing something completely.
Within a Sentence: He quit video games cold turkey. / She stopped eating candy cold turkey.
In Other Words: Quit right away. / No more.
11. Turkey trot
Meaning: A fun run usually held on Thanksgiving.
Within a Sentence: We joined the turkey trot this morning. / She trained for the Turkey Trot all month.
In Other Words: Holiday run. / Race on Thanksgiving.
12. Pass the gravy
Meaning: Share the good things.
Within a Sentence: He passed the gravy and the joy. / Grandma said, “Pass the gravy and the smiles.”
In Other Words: Share what’s good. / Give happily.
13. Count the drumsticks
Meaning: Check if there’s enough to go around.
Within a Sentence: Let’s count the drumsticks before dinner. / They counted the drumsticks so no one missed out.
In Other Words: Make sure there’s enough. / Check the food.
14. Give thanks
Meaning: Show that you are grateful.
Within a Sentence: We give thanks before eating. / She gave thanks for her family.
In Other Words: Say thank you. / Feel thankful.
15. Have a lot on your plate
Meaning: Be very busy.
Within a Sentence: Mom had a lot on her plate, cooking dinner. / I had homework and chores, a lot on my plate!
In Other Words: Many tasks. / Busy time.
16. Turkey hangover
Meaning: Feeling tired after eating too much.
Within a Sentence: I had a turkey hangover after dinner. / She was sleepy from a turkey hangover.
In Other Words: Too full and tired. / Sleepy after eating.
17. All the fixings
Meaning: Everything that goes with the main meal.
Within a Sentence: We had turkey and all the fixings. / Dinner had stuffing, gravy, all the fixings!
In Other Words: Extra sides. / Full meal.
18. As easy as pie
Meaning: Very easy to do.
Within a Sentence: Making cookies is as easy as pie. / That test was as easy as pie!
In Other Words: Simple task. / Not hard.
19. Second helping
Meaning: More food after the first serving.
Within a Sentence: He asked for a second helping of mashed potatoes. / I had a second helping of pie.
In Other Words: More food. / Another serving.
20. Leftovers again
Meaning: Eating food from a past meal.
Within a Sentence: We had leftovers again for lunch. / She made sandwiches with leftovers again.
In Other Words: Food from before. / Saved meal.
21. Pumpkin to talk about
Meaning: Something worth sharing.
Within a Sentence: That story is a pumpkin to talk about. / Her joke was a pumpkin to talk about.
In Other Words: Fun news. / Worth sharing.
22. Eat like a bird
Meaning: Eat very little.
Within a Sentence: She eats like a bird at dinner. / I eat like a bird when I’m nervous.
In Other Words: Eat just a little. / Small appetite.
23. Eat like a horse
Meaning: Eat a lot.
Within a Sentence: He eats like a horse on holidays. / I eat like a horse after school.
In Other Words: Very hungry. / Eat a lot.
24. Carve out time
Meaning: Make time for something.
Within a Sentence: We carved out time for family. / She carved out time to bake pies.
In Other Words: Make time. / Set time aside.
25. Sweet as pie
Meaning: Very kind or nice.
Within a Sentence: Grandma is sweet as pie. / My little sister is sweet as pie today.
In Other Words: Very nice. / Gentle and kind.
26. That’s the way the cookie crumbles
Meaning: That’s just how things happen.
Within a Sentence: We missed the parade, but that’s the way the cookie crumbles. / He said, “That’s the way the cookie crumbles” after losing.
In Other Words: Things don’t always go right. / Oh well.
27. Packed in like sardines
Meaning: Very crowded.
Within a Sentence: We were packed in like sardines at the table. / The kitchen was packed in like sardines.
In Other Words: Too close. / No space.
28. Take it with a grain of salt
Meaning: Don’t believe it all.
Within a Sentence: He said he cooked the whole dinner, take it with a grain of salt. / I take her stories with a grain of salt.
In Other Words: Don’t fully believe. / Might not be true.
29. Too many cooks in the kitchen
Meaning: Too many people are trying to take control.
Within a Sentence: It was wild with too many cooks in the kitchen. / We burned the food because of too many cooks in the kitchen.
In Other Words: Too much help. / No one in charge.
30. Gravy day
Meaning: A relaxing and easy day.
Within a Sentence: The day after Thanksgiving is a gravy day. / We stayed home on gravy day.
In Other Words: Rest day. / Easy time.
31. Turkey talk
Meaning: Fun or silly conversation during Thanksgiving.
Within a Sentence: The kids were full of turkey talk. / We had some turkey talk before dinner.
In Other Words: Silly chatting. / Light talk.
32. Butter someone up
Meaning: Say nice things to get something.
Within a Sentence: She tried to butter up Grandpa for a bigger slice of pie. / He buttered me up to get the last roll.
In Other Words: Flatter. / Be extra nice to get what you want.
33. Like peas and carrots
Meaning: Two things or people that go well together.
Within a Sentence: My cousins are like peas and carrots. / Pie and whipped cream go like peas and carrots.
In Other Words: Perfect match. / Always together.
34. Gravy on top
Meaning: A bonus or extra good thing.
Within a Sentence: The sunny weather was gravy on top of a great day. / The movie after dinner was gravy on top.
In Other Words: Extra good. / Bonus treat.
35. Pie in the sky
Meaning: A dream that might not come true.
Within a Sentence: His idea of flying turkeys was pie in the sky. / Hoping for snow in Florida is pie in the sky.
In Other Words: Not likely. / Big dream.
36. Warm the heart
Meaning: Make someone feel loved or happy.
Within a Sentence: Her smile warmed my heart. / That thank-you card warmed Grandma’s heart.
In Other Words: Feel good. / Feel love.
37. Full as a tick
Meaning: Extremely full after eating.
Within a Sentence: I was full as a tick after three slices of pie. / He said he was full as a tick and couldn’t move.
In Other Words: Very full. / Ate a lot.
38. Serve it up
Meaning: Give or offer something.
Within a Sentence: She served up kindness and cake. / He served up a big slice of fun.
In Other Words: Share. / Offer nicely.
39. Dig in
Meaning: Start eating.
Within a Sentence: “Dig in!” said Mom when dinner was ready. / We couldn’t wait to dig in.
In Other Words: Start eating. / Begin the meal.
40. Turkey coma
Meaning: Feeling very sleepy after eating turkey.
Within a Sentence: I fell into a turkey coma on the couch. / Dad took a nap in a turkey coma.
In Other Words: Sleepy after eating. / Really tired.
41. Not the sharpest knife in the drawer
Meaning: Not very smart.
Within a Sentence: He put the pie in the freezer, not the sharpest knife in the drawer. / She tried to roast a frozen turkey, not the sharpest knife.
In Other Words: Made a silly mistake. / Not thinking clearly.
42. Put all your eggs in one basket
Meaning: Relying on one thing too much.
Within a Sentence: Don’t put all your eggs in one basket when picking your favorite pie. / She put all her eggs in one basket, hoping for one big win.
In Other Words: Don’t depend on one thing. / Try more than one.
43. Count your chickens
Meaning: Don’t expect something before it happens.
Within a Sentence: Don’t count your chickens before dinner’s done. / He counted his chickens before he won.
In Other Words: Wait and see. / Don’t guess early.
44. The icing on the cake
Meaning: Something extra that makes things better.
Within a Sentence: Her surprise visit was the icing on the cake. / The pie after dinner was the icing on the cake.
In Other Words: Extra nice. / Final touch.
45. Cry over spilled gravy
Meaning: Be upset about something you can’t fix.
Within a Sentence: Don’t cry over spilled gravy, it’s just a mess. / We laughed and didn’t cry over spilled gravy.
In Other Words: Don’t worry about little things. / Move on.
46. Sit at the kids’ table
Meaning: Not included with the adults.
Within a Sentence: He was sad to sit at the kids’ table again. / We joked and laughed at the kids’ table.
In Other Words: Where the younger ones sit. / Not with grown-ups.
47. Talk stuffing
Meaning: Chat about what matters.
Within a Sentence: We talked stuffing around the fire. / Thanksgiving is the time to talk stuffing.
In Other Words: Share what’s important. / Have real talks.
48. Make a meal out of it
Meaning: Spend more time on something than is needed.
Within a Sentence: She made a meal out of setting the table. / Don’t make a meal out of a tiny spill.
In Other Words: Take too long. / Overdo it.
49. Bite off more than you can chew
Meaning: Try to do too much.
Within a Sentence: He bit off more than he could chew with five pies. / I bit off more than I could chew helping in the kitchen.
In Other Words: Too much to handle. / Took on a lot.
50. Gravy gig
Meaning: An easy and fun job.
Within a Sentence: Passing rolls was a gravy gig. / Her job of taste-testing was a gravy gig.
In Other Words: Easy job. / Fun task.
51. Thankful heart
Meaning: Feeling truly grateful.
Within a Sentence: She had a thankful heart after dinner. / A thankful heart makes the day better.
In Other Words: Grateful feeling. / Kind heart.
52. Like a hot potato
Meaning: Something passed quickly because it’s hard to deal with.
Within a Sentence: He gave me the dishes like a hot potato. / That job was like a hot potato; no one wanted it.
In Other Words: Passed fast. / Unwanted job.
53. Put your turkey in one basket
Meaning: Focus only on one plan or choice.
Within a Sentence: Don’t put your turkey in one basket, make two pies! / She put her turkey in one basket and hoped for the best.
In Other Words: Don’t stick to one idea. / Have backup plans.
54. Hot as a Thanksgiving oven
Meaning: Very hot.
Within a Sentence: The house was hot as a Thanksgiving oven. / Her sweater made her feel hot as a Thanksgiving oven.
In Other Words: Super warm. / Feeling hot.
55. Walk on eggshells
Meaning: Be careful not to upset someone.
Within a Sentence: We walked on eggshells after Uncle’s joke. / She walked on eggshells to keep the peace.
In Other Words: Be extra careful. / Avoid trouble.
56. Like butter on bread
Meaning: Go perfectly together.
Within a Sentence: Family and Thanksgiving go like butter on bread. / Laughter and pie go like butter on bread.
In Other Words: Perfect match. / Fit together well.
57. Burn the turkey
Meaning: Make a big mistake.
Within a Sentence: He forgot the rolls and burned the turkey. / I burned the turkey of our project, it didn’t go well.
In Other Words: Mess up. / Big mistake.
58. A full plate
Meaning: Having many things to do.
Within a Sentence: She had a full plate with cooking and cleaning. / I had a full plate of chores before the guests came.
In Other Words: Busy time. / Lots to handle.
59. Turkey with all the trimmings
Meaning: Everything included, nothing missing.
Within a Sentence: The party had turkey with all the trimmings. / That book had all the trimmings: action, fun, and heart.
In Other Words: Everything added. / Full deal.
60. Family feast
Meaning: A big meal with loved ones.
Within a Sentence: We had a family feast with turkey and smiles. / The family feast was the best part of Thanksgiving.
In Other Words: Big meal with family. / Shared dinner time.
Idioms about Thanksgiving – True/False Quiz
- Saying “stuffed to the gills” means you are very hungry.
True / False - If you “bring home the bacon,” it means you are earning money.
True / False - “Cold turkey” means to slowly stop doing something.
True / False - “Gobble it up” means to eat something very slowly.
True / False - “Gravy on top” means something extra that makes things even better.
True / False - “Eat like a bird” means you eat a lot.
True / False - “Give thanks” means to feel grateful for what you have.
True / False - “Turkey coma” means feeling sleepy after eating a big meal.
True / False - “Butter someone up” means to say mean things.
True / False - “Full plate” means you have nothing to do.
True / False - “Bite off more than you can chew” means you took on too much work.
True / False - “Leftovers again” means eating food saved from before.
True / False - “Walk on eggshells” means to act loudly without thinking.
True / False - “Pumpkin to talk about” means something is boring.
True / False - “Carve out time” means to make time for something special.
True / False
Answers
- False
- True
- False
- False
- True
- False
- True
- True
- False
- False
- True
- True
- False
- False
- True
Scoring Guide
- 15 Correct Answers: Thanksgiving Idioms Master!
- 10–14 Correct Answers: You really get Thanksgiving idioms, nice work!
- 6–9 Correct Answers: You’re learning, keep going!
- 0–5 Correct Answers: Let’s learn about Thanksgiving idioms together!
Conclusion
Thanksgiving idioms are fun ways to talk about food, feelings, and family. These phrases don’t always mean what the words say. They help us describe things in a way that feels special and clear.
Now that you know many Thanksgiving idioms, you can use them in your writing or while talking with others. Next time you’re full from dinner or happy to be with family, think about these sayings. They add color to your words and help you share how you feel in fun ways.
