Life can often feel overwhelming, and sometimes, finding the right words to express the need to relax or take a break is not easy. Idioms are a wonderful way to convey emotions and feelings with warmth and personality. They not only make your language more colorful but also create a deeper connection when you communicate with others.
In this article, we will explore 25 idioms for relax, their meanings, examples, and alternative phrases so that you can express yourself thoughtfully and naturally.
1. Take it easy
Meaning: To relax and not stress over things.
In a sentence: “You’ve been working so hard lately; why don’t you take it easy this weekend?”
Best use: Perfect for friends or colleagues when encouraging them to unwind.
Other ways to say: Chill out, slow down, rest easy.
2. Chill out
Meaning: To calm down or relax.
In a sentence: “Hey, chill out, everything will work out fine.”
Best use: Casual conversations with friends or family.
Other ways to say: Take a breather, loosen up, mellow out.
3. Unwind
Meaning: To relax after a period of stress.
In a sentence: “I like to unwind with a hot cup of tea after a long day.”
Best use: Ideal for describing self-care routines.
Other ways to say: De-stress, relax, ease off.
4. Put your feet up
Meaning: To sit and relax, often after work.
In a sentence: “Come on, put your feet up and enjoy the movie.”
Best use: Home settings, showing care to someone tired.
Other ways to say: Take a load off, rest, recline.
5. Take a breather
Meaning: To take a short rest.
In a sentence: “Let’s take a breather before finishing the project.”
Best use: Workplace or activity breaks.
Other ways to say: Pause, catch your breath, take five.
6. Kick back
Meaning: To relax and take it easy.
In a sentence: “After exams, I just want to kick back at the beach.”
Best use: Informal and casual leisure activities.
Other ways to say: Lounge, chill, rest.
7. Let your hair down
Meaning: To relax and enjoy yourself freely.
In a sentence: “At the party, we let our hair down and danced all night.”
Best use: Social gatherings, encouraging joy and freedom.
Other ways to say: Enjoy yourself, have fun, unwind.
8. Take a load off
Meaning: To sit down and relax.
In a sentence: “You look tired, why don’t you take a load off?”
Best use: Polite way to offer comfort.
Other ways to say: Sit back, rest up, put your feet up.
9. Hang loose
Meaning: To stay relaxed and not worry.
In a sentence: “Don’t stress about the exam. Just hang loose.”
Best use: Casual encouragement among friends.
Other ways to say: Take it easy, chill, stay cool.
10. Go with the flow
Meaning: To relax and accept things as they come.
In a sentence: “Life is unpredictable; sometimes you just have to go with the flow.”
Best use: Advising someone on flexibility and ease.
Other ways to say: Roll with it, take things as they come, be flexible.
11. Sit back and relax
Meaning: To stop worrying and enjoy the moment.
In a sentence: “Sit back and relax while we handle everything for you.”
Best use: Hospitality or service situations.
Other ways to say: Make yourself comfortable, unwind, take it easy.
12. Take a chill pill
Meaning: To calm down or stop being anxious.
In a sentence: “You need to take a chill pill; everything is fine.”
Best use: Lighthearted way to calm someone.
Other ways to say: Calm down, relax, ease up.
13. Rest easy
Meaning: To relax without worry.
In a sentence: “You can rest easy knowing your work is done.”
Best use: Offering reassurance and comfort.
Other ways to say: Feel at ease, unwind, be calm.
14. Cool your jets
Meaning: To slow down and relax.
In a sentence: “Cool your jets, there’s no need to rush.”
Best use: Informal warning to someone hasty.
Other ways to say: Slow down, relax, take it easy.
15. Take five
Meaning: To take a short break.
In a sentence: “Let’s take five before we continue the meeting.”
Best use: Professional or casual breaks.
Other ways to say: Break, pause, take a breather.
16. Loosen up
Meaning: To relax physically or mentally.
In a sentence: “Yoga helps me loosen up after a long day.”
Best use: Health, wellness, or casual advice.
Other ways to say: Relax, unwind, de-stress.
17. Lighten up
Meaning: To relax and not take things too seriously.
In a sentence: “Lighten up, it’s just a small mistake.”
Best use: Encouraging a positive mindset.
Other ways to say: Chill, loosen up, calm down.
18. Take a timeout
Meaning: To pause and rest.
In a sentence: “Sometimes it’s best to take a timeout and think.”
Best use: Personal reflection or professional advice.
Other ways to say: Take a break, step back, pause.
19. Ease up
Meaning: To reduce stress or pressure.
In a sentence: “Ease up on yourself; you’re doing great.”
Best use: Supportive encouragement.
Other ways to say: Relax, slow down, take it easy.
20. Unbend
Meaning: To relax mentally or physically.
In a sentence: “A weekend in nature helps me unbend completely.”
Best use: Wellness and self-care contexts.
Other ways to say: Loosen up, unwind, relax.
21. Float along
Meaning: To move through life without stress.
In a sentence: “Sometimes it’s nice to just float along and see what happens.”
Best use: Suggesting carefree attitude.
Other ways to say: Go with the flow, drift, take it easy.
22. Take it slow
Meaning: To do things without rushing.
In a sentence: “Take it slow, there’s no need to hurry.”
Best use: Advice for stressful situations or life events.
Other ways to say: Pace yourself, go easy, relax.
23. Unplug
Meaning: To disconnect and relax.
In a sentence: “I like to unplug from technology on Sundays.”
Best use: Digital detox and self-care advice.
Other ways to say: Disconnect, unwind, take a break.
24. Drift off
Meaning: To relax into sleep or calmness.
In a sentence: “After reading, I slowly drift off to sleep.”
Best use: Bedtime or meditation contexts.
Other ways to say: Fall asleep, relax, zone out.
25. Take a mental health day
Meaning: To take a day off to rest and refresh mentally.
In a sentence: “I decided to take a mental health day to recharge.”
Best use: Encouraging self-care at work or school.
Other ways to say: Self-care day, rest day, recharge day.
FAQs
Q1: Why are idioms important for expressing relaxation?
Idioms convey emotions more vividly and warmly, making conversations feel more natural and empathetic.
Q2: Can idioms for relaxing be used in professional settings?
Yes, idioms like “take a breather” or “take five” are suitable for casual professional interactions.
Q3: Are these idioms universally understood?
Many are common in English-speaking cultures, but it’s good to know your audience, as some may be informal or regional.
Q4: How can I use these idioms daily?
Use them in conversations, emails, or texts to express care, support, and friendliness naturally.
Q5: Can using idioms improve my English fluency?
Absolutely! They make speech more engaging, help with cultural nuances, and enhance overall communication skills.
Conclusion
Relaxation is not just about resting the body—it’s about refreshing the mind and spirit. Using idioms adds a touch of warmth and empathy to your communication, making your conversations more personal and thoughtful. Whether you’re telling a friend to take it easy or encouraging a colleague to take a breather, these idioms help you express care and kindness in a human, relatable way. Start incorporating them today and notice how your words can truly soothe and connect.
David Robert is a passionate innovator driven by creativity, vision, and purpose. He turns bold ideas into impactful realities through focus, leadership, and dedication.
