Autism is a unique part of many people’s lives, and it can affect the way they see the world. Sometimes, to explain their experiences, people use idioms. These special phrases help others understand feelings, thoughts, or situations in a way that is easy to relate to. Idioms are often fun and creative ways to express emotions and experiences.
In this article, you will explore idioms related to autism. These phrases can help explain the challenges, the beauty, and the different perspectives that come with autism. By understanding these idioms, you can better communicate and connect with others who may have autism or are learning about it.
Idioms for Autism
1. Thinking Outside the Box
Meaning: To think in a new or creative way.
For Example: Sarah was thinking outside the box when she made a paper airplane that flew super far. / Instead of drawing on paper, he thought outside the box and drew on the sidewalk with chalk.
Alternatively: Being creative / Doing something different than usual.
2. Walking in Someone Else’s Shoes
Meaning: Understanding how someone else feels.
For Example: When Timmy saw how upset his friend was, he started walking in someone else’s shoes and offered him a hug. / After seeing how hard his sister worked, he tried walking in someone else’s shoes and helped her clean.
Alternatively: Showing empathy / Trying to understand others’ feelings.
3. A Whole New Ballgame
Meaning: A completely different situation.
For Example: When we moved to a new city, it was a whole new ballgame. Everything felt different. / The first day at the new school felt like a whole new ballgame; the teachers and classmates were all new.
Alternatively: Something new / A fresh start.
4. Burning the Midnight Oil
Meaning: Staying up late to finish something.
For Example: Lucy was burning the midnight oil trying to finish her school project before the deadline. / He was burning the midnight oil because he wanted to finish his homework before the weekend.
Alternatively: Staying up late / Working hard at night.
5. Caught Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Meaning: Being in a difficult situation with no easy choice.
For Example: Sara was caught between a rock and a hard place when she had to choose between going to her best friend’s party or her grandmother’s birthday. / He was caught between a rock and a hard place when his mom asked him to clean his room, but his friend was waiting to play.
Alternatively: Stuck in a tough situation / Hard decision.
6. A Tough Nut to Crack
Meaning: Something that is very hard to figure out.
For Example: The puzzle was a tough nut to crack, but Sam finally finished it. / The math problem was a tough nut to crack until my teacher helped me.
Alternatively: Hard to solve / Challenging.
7. Jumping Through Hoops
Meaning: Doing something that takes a lot of effort and work.
For Example: She was jumping through hoops to finish all her homework before dinner. / It felt like jumping through hoops to finish all the chores before going outside.
Alternatively: Working hard / Going through many steps.
8. The Light at the End of the Tunnel
Meaning: A sign that something difficult is almost over.
For Example: After studying for so many hours, he saw the light at the end of the tunnel when he finished his test. / After a long week of work, I saw the light at the end of the tunnel when it was finally Friday.
Alternatively: Hope after a hard time / The end of a tough situation.
9. Like a Fish Out of Water
Meaning: Feeling uncomfortable or out of place.
For Example: He felt like a fish out of water when he went to a new school and didn’t know anyone. / She felt like a fish out of water at her first soccer practice, because she didn’t know the rules.
Alternatively: Feeling strange / Not fitting in.
10. Crying Over Spilled Milk
Meaning: Getting upset over something that cannot be changed.
For Example: It’s no use crying over spilled milk. The cup broke, but we can clean it up and move on. / Don’t cry over spilled milk. It’s just a small mistake, and we can fix it!
Alternatively: Worrying about the past / Upset over something small.
11. A Blessing in Disguise
Meaning: Something that seems bad at first but turns out to be good.
For Example: Missing the bus was a blessing in disguise because I got to spend more time with my family. / The rainy day was a blessing in disguise because it gave me time to read my favorite book.
Alternatively: Hidden good luck / Something good after a problem.
12. Hitting the Nail on the Head
Meaning: Saying or doing something exactly right.
For Example: He hit the nail on the head when he suggested we take a break before continuing the project. / When she solved the mystery, she really hit the nail on the head!
Alternatively: Doing something perfectly / Getting it exactly right.
13. Out of the Blue
Meaning: Something that happens suddenly and unexpectedly.
For Example: Out of the blue, my friend invited me to a surprise party. / The power went out completely out of the blue in the middle of the game.
Alternatively: Unexpected / Surprising.
14. Over the Moon
Meaning: Extremely happy.
For Example: She was over the moon when she won the prize for best drawing. / He was over the moon when he got his first pet hamster.
Alternatively: Very happy / Excited.
15. Let the Cat Out of the Bag
Meaning: To accidentally reveal a secret.
For Example: I accidentally let the cat out of the bag when I told her about her surprise gift. / He let the cat out of the bag and told me about the secret party.
Alternatively: Accidentally reveal / Tell a secret.
16. A Piece of Cake
Meaning: Something that is very easy to do.
For Example: The test was a piece of cake, I finished it in 10 minutes. / Building the Lego set was a piece of cake because the instructions were clear.
Alternatively: Easy / Simple.
17. A Leopard Can’t Change Its Spots
Meaning: A person can’t change who they are.
For Example: Even though he tried to be nicer, it seemed like a leopard can’t change its spots because he always got mad. / She tried to act differently, but a leopard can’t change its spots.
Alternatively: People don’t change easily / Sticking to who you are.
18. In a Pickle
Meaning: In a difficult or confusing situation.
For Example: I was in a pickle when I lost my homework on the way to school. / He found himself in a pickle when his phone ran out of battery in the middle of a call.
Alternatively: Stuck / In trouble.
19. Beat Around the Bush
Meaning: To avoid talking directly about something.
For Example: Stop beating around the bush and tell me what happened at the party! / He was beating around the bush when we asked about the test results.
Alternatively: Avoid the topic / Not giving a clear answer.
20. Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining
Meaning: There is something good in every bad situation.
For Example: Even though it rained all day, every cloud has a silver lining because I had time to do my homework. / When she broke her arm, she realized every cloud has a silver lining and got to watch all her favorite shows.
Alternatively: Good after bad / Hope in a tough time.
21. Up in the Air
Meaning: Something that is uncertain or undecided.
For Example: Our vacation plans are still up in the air because we can’t decide where to go. / The decision about the field trip is up in the air until the teacher talks to the parents.
Alternatively: Not decided / Still waiting.
22. Under the Weather
Meaning: Feeling sick or unwell.
For Example: He was feeling under the weather and stayed home from school. / She stayed in bed all day because she was feeling under the weather.
Alternatively: Not feeling well / Sick.
23. The Ball Is in Your Court
Meaning: It’s your turn to make a decision or take action.
For Example: Now that you’ve heard all the options, the ball is in your court to decide which one is best. / I gave her all the information, so now the ball is in her court.
Alternatively: It’s your choice / Your responsibility.
24. Put All Your Eggs in One Basket
Meaning: To risk everything on one thing.
For Example: Don’t put all your eggs in one basket, maybe you should try a few different clubs. / I hope he’s not putting all his eggs in one basket by studying only for the science test.
Alternatively: Taking a big risk / Betting everything.
25. Burn the Candle at Both Ends
Meaning: To work too hard or stay up too late.
For Example: She’s burning the candle at both ends by studying all night and waking up early for school. / He kept burning the candle at both ends by staying up late to finish his project.
Alternatively: Work too hard / Stay up late and work.
26. A Blessing in Disguise
Meaning: Something that seems bad but turns out good.
For Example: Missing the bus was a blessing in disguise because I got to spend more time with my family. / The rainy day was a blessing in disguise because it gave me time to read my favorite book.
Alternatively: Hidden good luck / Something good after a problem.
27. All in the Same Boat
Meaning: All facing the same problem or situation.
For Example: We’re all in the same boat, trying to finish our homework before the bell rings. / The whole team is in the same boat, practicing every day for the big game.
Alternatively: Facing the same situation / In it together.
28. A Penny for Your Thoughts
Meaning: Asking someone what they are thinking.
For Example: You’ve been quiet for a while, a penny for your thoughts? / He looked deep in thought, so I asked, “A penny for your thoughts?”
Alternatively: What are you thinking? / Curious about someone’s ideas.
29. Off the Beaten Path
Meaning: A place or activity that is unusual or not typical.
For Example: We took a walk off the beaten path to explore the woods. / The new restaurant was off the beaten path, but the food was amazing!
Alternatively: Unusual / Different from the normal.
30. Call It a Day
Meaning: To stop working or doing something for the day.
For Example: After finishing my homework, I decided to call it a day and relax. / We worked hard on the project and then called it a day.
Alternatively: Stop for the day / End work.
31. Get Your Act Together
Meaning: To get organized or start doing things properly.
For Example: If you want to do well on your test, you need to get your act together and start studying. / It’s time to get your act together and finish your chores.
Alternatively: Get organized / Start acting seriously.
32. Knock on Wood
Meaning: Saying something to prevent bad luck.
For Example: I hope we win the game knock on wood! / We’ve been lucky so far, knock on wood that it continues!
Alternatively: Prevent bad luck / Hope things stay good.
33. It’s Not Rocket Science
Meaning: Something that is not difficult to understand.
For Example: This math problem isn’t rocket science; you just need to follow the steps. / Don’t worry about the rules, it’s not rocket science.
Alternatively: Easy / Simple to understand.
34. Like Water Off a Duck’s Back
Meaning: Not affected by criticism or difficult situations.
For Example: He didn’t get upset, it was like water off a duck’s back when someone teased him. / She ignored the bad comments; it was like water off a duck’s back.
Alternatively: Not bothered / Doesn’t affect you.
35. A Bird in the Hand Is Worth Two in the Bush
Meaning: It’s better to hold onto something you have than to risk it for something better.
For Example: Don’t give away your only toy for two others that might not be as good, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush! / She kept the first prize, because a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
Alternatively: Appreciate what you have / Don’t take unnecessary risks.
36. On Cloud Nine
Meaning: Very happy.
For Example: She was on cloud nine when she got her new puppy. / He was on cloud nine after winning the soccer game.
Alternatively: Extremely happy / Excited.
37. Don’t Count Your Chickens Before They Hatch
Meaning: Don’t expect something before it happens.
For Example: Don’t count your chickens before they hatch; you haven’t finished the project yet! / He was already planning his party, but I told him not to count his chickens before they hatch.
Alternatively: Don’t expect too soon / Wait for it to happen.
38. Hit the Sack
Meaning: To go to bed.
For Example: I’m so tired, I’m ready to hit the sack. / After the long day, I decided to hit the sack early.
Alternatively: Go to sleep / Bedtime.
39. Get the Ball Rolling
Meaning: To start something.
For Example: Let’s get the ball rolling and start working on the project. / We need to get the ball rolling and plan for the party.
Alternatively: Start it / Begin working.
40. Once in a Blue Moon
Meaning: Something that happens very rarely.
For Example: Once in a blue moon, we get snow in Texas. / We only go to the beach once in a blue moon.
Alternatively: Rare / Not often.
True/False Quiz: Idioms for Autism
- If someone says “Thinking outside the box,” it means they are being creative.
True / False - “Crying over spilled milk” means getting upset about something you can’t fix.
True / False - When someone says they are “in a pickle,” it means they are having a fun time.
True / False - “Walking in someone else’s shoes” means trying to understand how someone else feels.
True / False - “A whole new ballgame” means something is exactly the same as before.
True / False - If you are “burning the midnight oil,” it means you are going to bed early.
True / False - “Every cloud has a silver lining” means there’s always something good after a bad situation.
True / False - “A penny for your thoughts” means asking someone how they are feeling.
True / False - “Like a fish out of water” means feeling comfortable in a new situation.
True / False - “Put all your eggs in one basket” means to risk everything on one thing.
True / False
Answer Key
- True
- True
- False
- True
- False
- False
- True
- True
- False
- True
Scoring Guide
- 10 Correct Answers: Idioms Master!
- 7–9 Correct Answers: You really get idioms nice work!
- 4–6 Correct Answers: You’re learning, keep going!
- 0–3 Correct Answers: Let’s learn about idioms together!
Conclusion
Idioms are fun and helpful ways to express feelings, thoughts, and ideas. By learning and understanding idioms, you can talk about autism in a way that is easy for others to understand. They can make it simpler to describe how someone feels or how they see the world.
Remember, idioms don’t always have a literal meaning they’re special phrases that help us connect and share experiences. As you keep practicing, you’ll be able to use these idioms in conversations and understand them better when others speak. Keep exploring, and soon these phrases will be a part of your everyday language!
