As autumn deepens and the days grow shorter, the season’s final act can bring us a sense of reflection and brilliance. The fiery hues of trees, the crisp chill in the air, and the fading daylight serve as poignant reminders of life’s fleeting yet meaningful moments. These last days of autumn, for me, can help to inspire stories of triumph, preparation, and introspection as we prepare ourselves for the chill of winter ahead.
In the meantime, in this final set of five short idiom stories for autumn, I delve into phrases that capture the spirit of the season and its lessons:
A Blaze of Glory – Embracing a moment of brilliance before transition or change.
Harvest the Fruits of Your Labour – Reaping the rewards of hard work and perseverance.
A Ghost of a Chance – Finding hope even when the chances seem small.
A Nip in the Air – Savouring the crisp, invigorating chill of autumn mornings.
Lost in the Fog – A story of uncertainty and finding clarity amidst confusion.
Jamie (on the spectrum) and his older sister, Carla
Jamie feels a little down, watching the leaves fall from the trees outside their window. The bright colours of autumn are starting to fade, and Jamie doesn’t like the idea of all the trees becoming bare and empty. Sensing this, Carla suggests her and Jamie go for a walk to a nearby park filled with brilliantly coloured trees.
Jamie: “I don’t like that the leaves have to fall. They’re so beautiful… why does this have to happen?”
Carla: “I understand it, Jamie. But look at how incredible the colours are right now. The trees aren’t just ending the season quietly— one could say they’re going out in a blaze of glory.”
Jamie: “A blaze of glory? What does that mean?”
Carla: “It means leaving with beauty and boldness, just like these trees. They’re showing off the brightest colours they have before the winter. It’s a way of saying that even when something’s ending, it can still be beautiful.”
Jamie: “So the trees are ending with something amazing, instead of just losing their leaves?”
Carla: “Yes, exactly! They’re giving us a show before they let go of their leaves, like their own blaze of glory. It’s a reminder that endings can be wonderful, too.”
Jamie: “I like that. Even though the leaves are falling, they’re going out with one last bright, colourful moment. It makes it feel less sad.”
Carla: “That’s the spirit. Remember, each leaf is like a final burst of colour, something to remember through the winter. And every year, they’ll be back to do it all over again.”
As they walk through the park, Jamie begins to appreciate the intense colours around them in a new way. Each leaf, each branch filled with reds, oranges, and yellows feels like a celebration of the season rather than an ending. Watching the vibrant trees, Jamie smiles, feeling comforted by the thought that endings can be beautiful, just like this autumn in its “blaze of glory.”
Emma (on the spectrum) and her neighbour, Mrs. Flores.
Emma has been working on a small garden all spring and summer with her neighbour,
Mrs. Flores. She’s spent countless hours helping to water, weed, and tend to the plants, though she doesn’t fully see why all the work was necessary. Now that autumn has arrived, it’s time to gather the harvest, and Mrs. Flores invites Emma over to help pick apples and pumpkins.
Emma: “Wow, look at all these pumpkins and apples! I didn’t realise we’d get so many.”
Mrs. Flores: “I know, it’s exciting, isn’t it? This is what it means to harvest the fruits of your labour.”
Emma: “Harvest the fruits of my labour? I’m not sure I understand. I know we’re picking fruit, but… how is it the ‘fruit of my labour’?”
Mrs. Flores: “Good question! It’s a phrase that means enjoying the results of hard work. Remember, we've spent months watering, weeding, and taking care of these plants, right?”
Emma: “Yes, but all that work felt hard, and sometimes I didn’t see much happening.”
Mrs. Flores: “Exactly. But now, after all that patience and effort, we get to enjoy the apples and pumpkins. Harvesting the fruits of your labour means putting in the effort first, then enjoying what you get in return.”
Emma: “So it’s like… working hard for something, even if you can’t see it right away?”
Mrs. Flores: “Yes! Sometimes the reward doesn’t show up until later. But when it does, it’s worth it. Just look at these pumpkins and apples—we wouldn’t have them without all that care.”
Emma: “I think I understand now. We’re getting the ‘fruits’ of all the work we did together, even though it took a while. That makes it feel special.”
Mrs. Flores: “It sure does. And next time you work hard on something, you’ll know that your own ‘harvest’ might be waiting down the road.”
As they gather up the pumpkins and apples, Emma feels a new appreciation for the garden and the time they spent tending it. With each basket they fill, she starts to understand that sometimes good things come from patience and effort—even if you can’t see them right away. Now, every pumpkin and apple feels like a little celebration of their hard work, her first real experience of “harvesting the fruits of her labour.”
Characters: Noah (on the spectrum) and his cousin, Lucy.
Noah is anxious about entering his artwork in a local autumn festival contest. He’s convinced he doesn’t stand a chance of winning, especially because he knows the other artists are very talented. Lucy, his cousin, notices Noah’s discouragement and tries to lift his spirits.
Noah: “There’s no way I’ll win this contest. Others say that I won’t even have a ghost of a chance.”
Lucy: “A ghost of a chance? What do you mean?”
Noah: “I know it means I have almost no chance at all, like my chance is barely there—like a ghost.”
Lucy: “I get it. But you know, a ghost of a chance is still a chance, even if it’s small. Besides, sometimes the smallest chances can surprise you.”
Noah: “So you think I should still try, even if it feels like I’ll lose?”
Lucy: “Absolutely. Sometimes, taking that tiny chance is all you need. Even a ghost of a chance can lead to something great, and you’ve worked really hard on this. Isn’t that worth giving it a try?”
Noah: “Maybe… I mean, Looking at my artwork, I do actually like it. And I guess having even a ‘ghost’ of a chance means the chance is better than nothing.”
Lucy: “Exactly! You never know. And even if you don’t win, you’ll have shown people what you’re capable of, which is a pretty brave thing to do.”
Feeling reassured, Noah decides to enter the contest, appreciating that even a “ghost of a chance” can be enough to go for something he cares about. On the day of the festival, as he sees his artwork displayed alongside the other entries, he feels proud for taking his chance, no matter the outcome.
Sophie (on the spectrum) and her mother
Sophie feels the chill of the early autumn morning as she and her mother walk through the local park to the bus stop. She’s puzzled by the change in temperature and asks why the air feels different.
Sophie: “Mum, why does it feel so chilly all of a sudden? Just last week it was warm, but today it feels…..rather sharp.”
Mum: “That’s what people call a nip in the air, sweetie. It means there’s a little chill, a sign that the seasons are changing.”
Sophie: “A nip in the air? Like, something biting?”
Mum: “Well kind of! When we say there’s a nip in the air, it means there’s a sudden coolness or sharpness in the weather. It’s not freezing, but it’s enough to feel brisk or refreshing, like a tiny ‘bite’ of cold.”
Sophie: “So, a nip is a small bit of cold that comes when autumn starts?”
Mum: “Exactly. It's the time of year when the weather starts cooling down little by little, and that’s the ‘nip’ reminding us that winter is coming.”
Sophie: “I think I understand now. The air isn’t exactly cold yet, but that ‘nip’ means we need to start wearing warmer clothes, right? In fact, right now I'm noticing other people here doing that.”
Mum: “You got it! It’s nature’s little reminder to get ready for cooler days.”
Sophie smiles, feeling more connected to the changes around her. With the new understanding of “a nip in the air,” she wraps her scarf a little tighter, feeling ready to embrace the cool, crisp mornings that autumn brings.
Characters: Ben and his sister, Emma.
Plot: Ben is struggling to complete a tricky puzzle, feeling overwhelmed by all the different pieces and how they should fit together. He becomes more frustrated, unsure of where to start or what to do next.
Emma: “Hey, Ben, it seems like you’re feeling a bit lost in the fog with this puzzle.”
Ben: “Lost in the fog? I’m confused. I’m not outside, and there’s no fog too.”
Emma: “Good point! But it’s an expression. Imagine you’re standing in a really thick fog, where you can see barely anything ahead of you, and you’re trying to find your way.”
Ben: “So, being lost in the fog would make it hard to know where you are or what to do, right?”
Emma: “Exactly. When you say someone is lost in the fog, it means they’re confused or struggling to figure things out—like with this puzzle.”
Ben: “Okay, I get it. I really do feel lost in the fog with this puzzle, but maybe if I look at each piece more closely, I can find my way.”
Emma: “That sounds like a great idea. Sometimes, clearing the fog means taking things one step at a time.”
As I wrap up this final set of autumn idioms, I invite you to share your thoughts on the stories and phrases explored so far. Which idioms have resonated most with you? Are there any that you’ve found particularly intriguing—or perhaps a bit puzzling?
Your questions, insights, and favourite idioms are always welcome, and I’d love to hear how you interpret these expressions in your own life.
Just in case you haven't seen the earlier posts of autumn related idioms and wish to do so, please click on the links below.
Part 1 | Part 2
As we transition from the crisp cool air of autumn to the festive cheer of the Christmas season, idioms, for me, take on new meanings. Check out my latest Christmas idioms stories below for what I consider to be a heartwarming take on holiday expressions. The aim of these is to help bring and spread hope and joy.
Did you enjoy these autumn stories? Why not explore the meanings of festive related idioms for the 1st week of Advent.
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