Thanksgiving is a special time when families and friends come together to enjoy food, share stories, and show thanks. It’s also a time when people use fun phrases, called idioms, to talk about the holiday. These idioms don’t always mean what the words say. Instead, they have special meanings that can make speaking more interesting.
In this article, you will learn some common idioms people use around Thanksgiving. Each one will come with a short meaning and an example to help you understand. You will also get a chance to test what you’ve learned through some questions. These idioms are part of everyday language, and knowing them can help you sound more natural and confident in conversations.
Idioms about Thanksgiving
1. Talk turkey
Meaning: Speak honestly or seriously
Sample Sentences: We need to talk turkey about what to bring for dinner. / Let’s talk turkey and decide who’s cooking the turkey.
Other Way to Say: Be real / Get to the point
2. Stuffed like a turkey
Meaning: Feeling very full after eating
Sample Sentences: I ate so much I feel stuffed like a turkey! / After dinner, everyone was stuffed like a turkey.
Other Way to Say: Very full / Ate too much
3. Count your blessings
Meaning: Be thankful for the good things
Sample Sentences: At Thanksgiving, we count our blessings. / Mom said to count your blessings instead of being sad.
Other Way to Say: Be thankful / Think of the good
4. Talk around the table
Meaning: Share stories or have a friendly chat during a meal
Sample Sentences: We talked around the table while eating pie. / Thanksgiving is a time to talk around the table.
Other Way to Say: Chat during dinner / Share stories
5. Turkey trot
Meaning: A fun run or walk on Thanksgiving morning
Sample Sentences: We joined the turkey trot before eating. / The school held a turkey trot race.
Other Way to Say: Holiday run / Thanksgiving jog
6. Gobble up
Meaning: Eat quickly
Sample Sentences: He gobbled up his mashed potatoes. / We gobbled up the pie in minutes.
Other Way to Say: Eat fast / Chow down
7. Gravy train
Meaning: An easy way to get something good
Sample Sentences: He’s riding the gravy train with grandma doing all the cooking. / Some people think Thanksgiving break is a gravy train.
Other Way to Say: Easy ride / No work, all gain
8. Pass the gravy
Meaning: Share the good things
Sample Sentences: He smiled and said, “Pass the gravy,” when the fun started. / When good times roll, just pass the gravy.
Other Way to Say: Share the fun / Spread the joy
9. Feast your eyes
Meaning: Look at something nice
Sample Sentences: Feast your eyes on this pie! / We feasted our eyes on the dinner table.
Other Way to Say: Look closely / Enjoy the view
10. Leftovers again
Meaning: Eating the same food from the day before
Sample Sentences: We’re having leftovers again tonight. / She laughed and said, “Leftovers again, my favorite!”
Other Way to Say: Eat yesterday’s food / Second-day meal
11. Turkey with all the trimmings
Meaning: A big meal with many side dishes
Sample Sentences: We had turkey with all the trimmings. / Grandma makes turkey with all the trimmings every year.
Other Way to Say: Full dinner / Big holiday meal
12. Cold turkey
Meaning: To stop something all at once
Sample Sentences: He quit video games cold turkey. / She gave up soda cold turkey before the new year.
Other Way to Say: Stop completely / Quit fast
13. Pumpkin to talk about
Meaning: Something exciting or worth sharing
Sample Sentences: That surprise was a real pumpkin to talk about! / The talent show gave us a pumpkin to talk about.
Other Way to Say: Big news / Fun story
14. Pie in the sky
Meaning: A dream that may not come true
Sample Sentences: Hoping for a turkey that cooks itself is pie in the sky. / His idea of no homework is pie in the sky.
Other Way to Say: Big wish / Unlikely dream
15. Harvest time
Meaning: A time of gathering and thankfulness
Sample Sentences: Thanksgiving is harvest time. / We decorated our class for harvest time.
Other Way to Say: Thankful season / Fall gathering
16. Carve out time
Meaning: Make time for something important
Sample Sentences: We carved out time to visit Grandma. / Dad carved out time for a family walk.
Other Way to Say: Make room / Set aside time
17. Thankful heart
Meaning: Feeling full of thanks
Sample Sentences: She gave her gift with a thankful heart. / He had a thankful heart for his friends.
Other Way to Say: Grateful / Full of thanks
18. Pass the pie
Meaning: Share something nice
Sample Sentences: He passed the pie and the kindness. / Thanksgiving is a time to pass the pie.
Other Way to Say: Share joy / Spread kindness
19. Eat like there’s no tomorrow
Meaning: Eat a lot
Sample Sentences: They ate like there’s no tomorrow at dinner. / I ate like there’s no tomorrow on Thanksgiving.
Other Way to Say: Ate too much / Big meal time
20. Thank your lucky stars
Meaning: Be very thankful
Sample Sentences: Thank your lucky stars we had warm weather. / He thanked his lucky stars for the dessert.
Other Way to Say: Feel very thankful / Be glad
21. Gobble like a turkey
Meaning: Talk too much or too loudly
Sample Sentences: They were gobbling like turkeys in the backseat. / She gobbled like a turkey at lunch.
Other Way to Say: Talk a lot / Be noisy
22. Cranberry cheer
Meaning: Holiday joy or spirit
Sample Sentences: We made cards full of cranberry cheer. / Her cranberry cheer made everyone smile.
Other Way to Say: Happy mood / Holiday spirit
23. Sit at the kids’ table
Meaning: Be left out of the grown-up stuff
Sample Sentences: He didn’t like sitting at the kids’ table again. / I’m too old for the kids’ table now.
Other Way to Say: Left out / Still too young
24. Break bread
Meaning: Eat together in peace
Sample Sentences: We broke bread with our neighbors. / Thanksgiving is a time to break bread.
Other Way to Say: Share a meal / Be friends
25. Put all your stuffing in one turkey
Meaning: Put all your hope in one thing
Sample Sentences: Don’t put all your stuffing in one turkey with that plan. / She put all her stuffing in one turkey by hoping for just one gift.
Other Way to Say: Don’t count on just one thing / Have a backup
26. Thankful as pie
Meaning: Very grateful
Sample Sentences: He was thankful as pie for the surprise. / She looked thankful as pie for the warm socks.
Other Way to Say: So thankful / Really happy
27. Turkey of a mistake
Meaning: A big or silly mistake
Sample Sentences: Leaving the pie in the oven too long was a turkey of a mistake. / He made a turkey of a mistake by forgetting his project.
Other Way to Say: Big goof / Bad choice
28. Mashed potato mess
Meaning: A small or funny mess
Sample Sentences: There was a mashed potato mess on the table. / He made a mashed potato mess in the kitchen.
Other Way to Say: Food mess / Silly accident
29. Gravy moment
Meaning: A nice, extra-good moment
Sample Sentences: Getting two desserts was a gravy moment! / The snow on Thanksgiving was a gravy moment.
Other Way to Say: Bonus moment / Extra nice time
30. Sit back and be thankful
Meaning: Take time to relax and appreciate
Sample Sentences: We sat back and were thankful for the quiet day. / Sometimes it’s good to sit back and be thankful.
Other Way to Say: Rest and reflect / Pause and give thanks
31. Full plate
Meaning: Having a lot to do
Sample Sentences: She had a full plate helping in the kitchen. / I had a full plate with chores and homework.
Other Way to Say: Busy / Lots going on
32. Sweet as pie
Meaning: Very kind or nice
Sample Sentences: Grandma is sweet as pie. / That thank-you card was sweet as pie.
Other Way to Say: Very kind / So nice
33. Corny like a casserole
Meaning: A little silly in a cute way
Sample Sentences: His jokes were corny like a casserole. / We made a corny like a casserole play for fun.
Other Way to Say: Silly / Cheesy but fun
34. Bring something to the table
Meaning: Offer help or a good idea
Sample Sentences: Everyone brings something to the table for Thanksgiving. / She brings kindness to the table.
Other Way to Say: Add value / Help out
35. Bake in love
Meaning: Do something with care and heart
Sample Sentences: Mom baked the pie in love. / The decorations were baked in love by the kids.
Other Way to Say: Made with care / Full of heart
36. Turkey on the table
Meaning: Everything is ready for the meal
Sample Sentences: Once the turkey’s on the table, the feast begins! / Seeing turkey on the table made everyone smile.
Other Way to Say: Meal is ready / Time to eat
37. A cornucopia of fun
Meaning: A lot of fun things at once
Sample Sentences: The fall fair was a cornucopia of fun! / Thanksgiving at Grandma’s is a cornucopia of fun.
Other Way to Say: Full of fun / Many good things
38. Butterball moment
Meaning: A silly or funny memory from Thanksgiving
Sample Sentences: When the turkey slid off the tray, it was a real butterball moment. / We laughed about last year’s butterball moment.
Other Way to Say: Funny time / Goofy moment
39. Grateful as gravy
Meaning: Extra thankful
Sample Sentences: She was grateful as gravy for the help. / I was grateful as gravy for that warm hug.
Other Way to Say: Super thankful / Very glad
40. Tuck in
Meaning: Start eating with excitement
Sample Sentences: We tucked in as soon as dinner was ready. / Dad said, “Let’s tuck in!” and grabbed the spoon.
Other Way to Say: Start eating / Dig in
41. Fall feast
Meaning: A big meal during autumn
Sample Sentences: Our class had a fall feast with cookies and cider. / The community center hosted a fall feast.
Other Way to Say: Autumn meal / Big fall dinner
42. A thankful table
Meaning: A place full of love and gratitude
Sample Sentences: We sat at a thankful table and shared stories. / Every seat at the thankful table was taken.
Other Way to Say: Table of thanks / Family meal spot
43. Pulling the wishbone
Meaning: Hoping for something lucky
Sample Sentences: We pulled the wishbone and made wishes. / She smiled after winning the wishbone pull.
Other Way to Say: Make a wish / Try your luck
44. Pie-eyed
Meaning: Looking amazed or dreamy (often after a good meal)
Sample Sentences: He was pie-eyed after dessert. / I felt pie-eyed after two slices of pumpkin pie.
Other Way to Say: Dreamy / Full and happy
45. Sweet potato soft
Meaning: Gentle and kind
Sample Sentences: She’s sweet potato soft with her baby brother. / His voice was sweet potato soft when he said thanks.
Other Way to Say: Kind-hearted / Gentle
46. A side dish moment
Meaning: A small but special time
Sample Sentences: Helping clean up was a side dish moment of caring. / Her smile during dinner was a side dish moment.
Other Way to Say: Small joy / Quiet good time
47. Cranberry calm
Meaning: A peaceful feeling during the holiday
Sample Sentences: The quiet after dinner was full of cranberry calm. / She felt cranberry calm reading by the fire.
Other Way to Say: Peaceful / Relaxed and happy
48. Thanksgiving spirit
Meaning: The feeling of giving and being thankful
Sample Sentences: He showed Thanksgiving spirit by helping out. / The class filled the room with Thanksgiving spirit.
Other Way to Say: Holiday kindness / Thankful mood
49. Gave thanks with both hands
Meaning: Truly showed appreciation
Sample Sentences: He gave thanks with both hands and hugged Grandma. / She gave thanks with both hands when she saw the gift.
Other Way to Say: Fully thankful / Big thank you
50. A meal to remember
Meaning: A special dinner that stays in your memory
Sample Sentences: This Thanksgiving was a meal to remember. / The turkey was so good—it was a meal to remember!
Other Way to Say: Special dinner / Unforgettable meal
51. Baked with thanks
Meaning: Made something while feeling grateful
Sample Sentences: The muffins were baked with thanks for the neighbors. / She baked with thanks for her teachers.
Other Way to Say: Made with love / Grateful cooking
52. Turkey time
Meaning: It’s time to eat or celebrate
Sample Sentences: Everyone shouted, “It’s turkey time!” when dinner started. / Get ready—it’s turkey time!
Other Way to Say: Time to eat / Start the meal
53. Feast of feelings
Meaning: A mix of emotions, often happy and warm
Sample Sentences: Thanksgiving was a feast of feelings this year. / Seeing everyone together gave me a feast of feelings.
Other Way to Say: Emotional moment / Big feelings
54. Gratitude grows
Meaning: Thankfulness gets stronger
Sample Sentences: As the day went on, our gratitude grew. / Her gratitude grew with every kind word.
Other Way to Say: Felt more thankful / Thankfulness grew
55. Warm as a pie
Meaning: Feeling cozy and loved
Sample Sentences: Sitting by the fire felt warm as a pie. / Grandma’s hug was warm as a pie.
Other Way to Say: Cozy / Full of love
Multiple Choice Questions: Idioms about Thanksgiving
1. What does it mean to “talk turkey”?
A) Make turkey sandwiches
B) Speak honestly and seriously
C) Talk about birds
2. If someone says they’re “stuffed like a turkey,” how do they feel?
A) Very full after eating
B) Dressed in feathers
C) Ready to cook
3. What does “count your blessings” mean?
A) Count how many cookies you have
B) Be thankful for what you have
C) Say numbers out loud
4. If you “gobble up” your food, what are you doing?
A) Making noise
B) Eating very slowly
C) Eating quickly
5. What does “fall feast” most likely mean?
A) A food fight at school
B) A small lunch in spring
C) A big meal in autumn
6. What does it mean to “break bread” with someone?
A) Throw bread at them
B) Eat together in peace
C) Make sandwiches
7. If someone says, “That was a butterball moment,” what do they mean?
A) It was funny or silly
B) It was very serious
C) They were feeling sad
8. What does “put all your stuffing in one turkey” mean?
A) Put food inside a bird
B) Count on one thing too much
C) Buy too much stuffing
9. What does “gravy moment” mean?
A) A problem with sauce
B) A very nice extra surprise
C) A food fight at dinner
10. If someone says they’re “grateful as gravy,” what do they mean?
A) They are hungry
B) They are very thankful
C) They love gravy
11. What does “carve out time” mean?
A) Cut a turkey
B) Make time for something important
C) Eat dinner fast
12. What does “warm as a pie” mean?
A) It is really hot outside
B) Something is too cold
C) Feeling cozy and loved
Answer Key
- B) Speak honestly and seriously
- A) Very full after eating
- B) Be thankful for what you have
- C) Eating quickly
- C) A big meal in autumn
- B) Eat together in peace
- A) It was funny or silly
- B) Count on one thing too much
- B) A very nice extra surprise
- B) They are very thankful
- B) Make time for something important
- C) Feeling cozy and loved
Scoring Guide
- 12 Correct Answers: Love Thanksgiving Idioms Master!
- 8–11 Correct Answers: Well on your way to understanding Thanksgiving idioms.
- 4–7 Correct Answers: Room for improvement, but you’re getting there!
- 0–3 Correct Answers: Let’s explore Thanksgiving idioms together.
Conclusion
Thanksgiving idioms are fun ways to talk about food, family, and thankfulness. They help us share ideas in a more interesting way. Learning these idioms can make talking and writing more colorful.
Now that you’ve read about them and tried the quiz, you know what it means to “talk turkey” or feel a “turkey coma.” These sayings can be used at home, in school, or when sharing a meal. Keep listening for them, and try using a few yourself next time you celebrate.
