How many bed idioms do you think there are in English?
Probably a lot more than you think!
Today we share six expressions native speakers use every day with the word ‘bed.’
Listen in on today’s episode and find out how to use them.
You’ll learn how to talk about anything from corruption to your daily living habits.
The wrong side of the bed
Are you familiar with the expression ‘waking up on the wrong side of the bed?’
This doesn’t literally mean you slept on the wrong side of the bed.
It means you woke up in a bad mood.
This is a great idiom to use when you want to ask someone if they are not in a good mood.
There is a similar expression shared in episode AEE 1418: Do You Have a Chip On Your Shoulder?
If someone seems to be in a bad mood all day, you can ask them:
“Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed today?”
Parents would often use this expression when talking to their teenage children.
Teenagers are often moody since their hormones are adjusting and of course, they are learning to face changes in their bodies and facing challenges in life.
So many idioms!
The English language is full of idioms.
The All Ears English team has done many episodes about idioms with a theme.
Here are some previous episodes that you can check out:
AEE 1712: Animal Idioms – The Bird Edition
AEE 1323: Milk This Episode for All It’s Worth
Bed Idioms
Idioms are confusing if you try to take them literally.
They cannot be understood just from the words you hear.
‘Waking up on the wrong side of the bed’ has nothing to do with which side of the bed you wake up on.
Idioms have a separate meaning that you have to learn in order to use them correctly.
#1: Make your bed
It doesn’t literally mean you build your bed.
This means arranging the sheets and blankets on a bed after using it.
- make your bed: neatly arrange the sheets, blankets, and bedspread on the bed
Example:
“You should make your bed after you wake up.”
“Don’t forget to make your bed before you leave for school.”
#2: Bed of roses
The dictionary defines this as “an easy, comfortable situation.”
You may hear some songs using this differently and refer to this as something intimate.
Don’t get confused as this is really meant to say that something is comfortable and hassle-free.
- bed of roses: an easy comfortable situation
Example:
“When he doesn’t get enough sleep, he’s no bed of roses”
“It’s no bed of roses getting home in rush hour traffic.”
#3: Put something to bed
This is used to say you want to end something or come to sort of a resolution and stop.
You can use this to address a conversation or issue you no longer want to continue.
- put something to bed: find a resolution and stop
Example:
“Let’s finally put this to bed. We can’t afford that house, so let’s forget about it.”
#4: You made your bed, now lie in it
This expression means that you put yourself in the situation so now you have to face the consequences.
This can often be said to a teenager who has made a mess of a situation.
They now should fix it or accept the repercussions of their actions.
- you made your bed now lie in it: face the consequences of your actions
Example:
“I’m sorry you failed the class but you knew it would happen. You didn’t study and you didn’t do your homework. You made your bed now lie in it.“
#5: In bed with
This expression may refer to a sexual situation.
However, it can also be used to show that there is a relationship between people or entities.
You would often hear this being used in politics.
- in bed with: associated with something or someone undesirable
Example:
“He’s in bed with Big Pharma, so just keep that in mind.”
Roleplay
Lindsay and Michelle share a roleplay to show how to use these idioms in a conversation.
In this scenario, Lindsay and Michelle are classmates.
They are reviewing why they got some negative feedback on a project.
Michelle: Well that was no bed of roses, was it? The professor seemed upset.
Lindsay: I know, but I don’t get why he still is harping on slide two. Can’t we just put that to bed?
Michelle: Apparently not. I guess we made our bed, now we have to lie in it.
Lindsay: Yeah, well he doesn’t seem to agree that the mayor is in bed with the real estate companies.
Michelle: He definitely doesn’t.
Takeaway
Using idioms is a great way to sound native and natural.
This will make your conversations more interesting.
The English language is very dynamic, with idioms that bring your skills up a level.
You can search for more episodes about idioms on the All Ears English website and Youtube channel.
Keep practicing and elevate your English skills!
What other English idioms do you want to learn about?
Share them in the comments below.
