23 Idioms for Having a Good Time

Having a good time is something we all look forward to, whether it’s spending quality time with friends, enjoying a special event, or simply unwinding after a busy day. The English language has many colorful idioms that capture the essence of fun, enjoyment, and excitement. From “painting the town red” to “having a blast,” these idioms express the joy and thrill of moments filled with laughter and happiness.

In this article, we’ll explore 23 idioms for having a good time, each reflecting a different way to describe moments of joy, celebration, and fun. These idioms will help you convey your experiences of enjoyment in more creative and vivid ways.

1. Paint the town red

Meaning: To go out and have a great time, often by partying or celebrating
In a Sentence:
– “We decided to paint the town red after the big win at the game.”
– “They’re planning to paint the town red to celebrate their anniversary.”
Other Ways to Say: Party hard / Celebrate in style

2. Have a blast

Meaning: To have an incredibly fun or enjoyable time
In a Sentence:
– “We had a blast at the concert last night; it was amazing!”
– “I’m sure you’ll have a blast at the party tonight.”
Other Ways to Say: Have fun / Enjoy yourself

3. Kick back and relax

Meaning: To take it easy and enjoy a stress-free time, often by lounging or unwinding
In a Sentence:
– “After a long week at work, it’s time to kick back and relax this weekend.”
– “He kicked back and relaxed with a good book by the beach.”
Other Ways to Say: Chill out / Unwind

4. Live it up

Meaning: To enjoy life to the fullest, often by engaging in exciting or lavish activities
In a Sentence:
– “Let’s live it up this weekend—we deserve a break!”
– “They spent the entire vacation living it up in Paris.”
Other Ways to Say: Have fun to the fullest / Celebrate wildly

5. On cloud nine

Meaning: To be extremely happy or in a state of bliss
In a Sentence:
– “She’s been on cloud nine since she got the job offer.”
– “He was on cloud nine after the surprise party thrown by his friends.”
Other Ways to Say: Over the moon / Extremely happy

6. Have a whale of a time

Meaning: To have an extremely enjoyable and fun time
In a Sentence:
– “We had a whale of a time at the beach, surfing and playing volleyball all day.”
– “The kids had a whale of a time at the amusement park.”
Other Ways to Say: Have a great time / Have a blast

7. Throw a party

Meaning: To host or organize a celebration or social gathering
In a Sentence:
– “We’re going to throw a party this weekend to celebrate our graduation.”
– “She loves to throw a party whenever there’s a holiday or special occasion.”
Other Ways to Say: Host a celebration / Organize a get-together

8. Be in seventh heaven

Meaning: To be in a state of extreme happiness or bliss
In a Sentence:
– “He was in seventh heaven when he found out he was going to be a father.”
– “She was in seventh heaven after receiving the surprise gift.”
Other Ways to Say: Be over the moon / Be on top of the world

9. Live for the moment

Meaning: To enjoy the present and focus on the immediate pleasures, without worrying about the future
In a Sentence:
– “Let’s live for the moment and enjoy the party tonight.”
– “He’s always been one to live for the moment, taking life one day at a time.”
Other Ways to Say: Enjoy the present / Seize the day

10. Have a good time on the town

Meaning: To enjoy oneself while going out, often for entertainment or socializing in a city or local area
In a Sentence:
– “We had a good time on the town, stopping by a few bars and restaurants.”
– “They spent the evening having a good time on the town, checking out the latest hotspots.”
Other Ways to Say: Go out and have fun / Explore the city

11. Have a field day

Meaning: To enjoy a time when you can freely engage in something you love or find entertaining
In a Sentence:
– “The kids had a field day at the carnival, riding all the rides and eating cotton candy.”
– “The photographers had a field day capturing the beautiful scenery during the trip.”
Other Ways to Say: Enjoy thoroughly / Relish the moment

12. Be in good spirits

Meaning: To be cheerful, happy, and in a positive mood
In a Sentence:
– “She was in good spirits after hearing the great news from her friend.”
– “The whole team was in good spirits after the successful launch.”
Other Ways to Say: Be happy / Be upbeat

13. Let your hair down

Meaning: To relax and enjoy oneself without any worries or constraints
In a Sentence:
– “We’re going to let our hair down tonight and dance the night away.”
– “After the wedding ceremony, they finally let their hair down and celebrated with friends.”
Other Ways to Say: Relax / Enjoy yourself

14. Make a night of it

Meaning: To spend the evening doing something enjoyable, often making it an event
In a Sentence:
– “Let’s make a night of it and head out for dinner and a movie.”
– “We decided to make a night of it and go bowling and then grab drinks afterward.”
Other Ways to Say: Enjoy the evening / Turn it into an event

15. On top of the world

Meaning: To feel extremely happy and successful, as if nothing could go wrong
In a Sentence:
– “She was on top of the world after winning the competition.”
– “After receiving the promotion, he felt like he was on top of the world.”
Other Ways to Say: In seventh heaven / Be overjoyed

16. Have a ball

Meaning: To have a great time or enjoy oneself immensely
In a Sentence:
– “We had a ball at the concert last night; it was amazing!”
– “They’re going to have a ball at the theme park this weekend.”
Other Ways to Say: Have a blast / Enjoy yourself

17. Have a blast from the past

Meaning: To experience a nostalgic or fun moment from the past, often unexpectedly
In a Sentence:
– “Running into an old friend at the party was a blast from the past.”
– “We had a blast from the past when we listened to our old favorite songs.”
Other Ways to Say: Nostalgic fun / Reliving old memories

18. Go on a spree

Meaning: To indulge in a period of excessive enjoyment, often involving shopping or other activities
In a Sentence:
– “She went on a shopping spree and bought everything she’d been eyeing for months.”
– “They went on a food spree, trying dishes from every restaurant in town.”
Other Ways to Say: Indulge / Have a good time

19. Enjoy the ride

Meaning: To take pleasure in the experience, especially one that is full of ups and downs
In a Sentence:
– “Life’s full of surprises, so just enjoy the ride and make the most of it.”
– “The trip was a rollercoaster, but we enjoyed the ride.”
Other Ways to Say: Enjoy the journey / Relish the experience

20. Live life to the fullest

Meaning: To enjoy every moment and take advantage of all the opportunities life offers
In a Sentence:
– “She’s always been someone who lives life to the fullest, traveling and experiencing new things.”
– “We should live life to the fullest, enjoying every adventure we can find.”
Other Ways to Say: Seize the day / Make the most of life

21. Throw a shindig

Meaning: To host or organize a fun and lively party or gathering
In a Sentence:
– “We’re throwing a shindig this weekend to celebrate the holidays.”
– “She decided to throw a shindig for her birthday and invited all her friends.”
Other Ways to Say: Host a party / Throw a celebration

22. Kick up your heels

Meaning: To have fun or enjoy yourself, often by dancing or celebrating
In a Sentence:
– “They kicked up their heels at the wedding reception and danced all night.”
– “After finishing their exams, the students kicked up their heels at the graduation party.”
Other Ways to Say: Celebrate / Let loose

23. Live for the weekend

Meaning: To look forward to the weekend as a time to relax, have fun, or enjoy yourself after a busy week
In a Sentence:
– “He works hard all week and really lives for the weekend, when he can unwind with friends.”
– “We all live for the weekend to take a break from work and enjoy some fun activities.”
Other Ways to Say: Look forward to the weekend / Enjoy downtime

Practice Exercise

Fill in the blanks using the correct idiom from the list:

1. After a long week at work, I’m so ready to __________ and relax this weekend.
2. We decided to __________ at the beach party and have some fun with our friends.
3. The whole family had __________ at the theme park, enjoying every ride and attraction.
4. It was such a fun evening; we really __________ at the concert.
5. The party was amazing—we really __________ and danced the night away.
6. After the surprise trip, they were both __________ from all the new experiences.
7. We’re planning to __________ this weekend to celebrate the promotion.
8. He’s someone who always knows how to __________, especially during stressful moments.
9. She was in such a good mood; it was clear she was __________ with life.
10. After all the hard work, I’m looking forward to __________ and having some fun.
11. They decided to __________ and invite everyone over for a big gathering.
12. The vacation felt like a __________, filled with excitement and adventure.
13. The kids are always __________, running around and having fun in the park.
14. After the event, I felt like I had really __________ and made great memories.
15. He’s always the first to __________ whenever there’s a chance to celebrate.
16. After their wedding, they really __________, enjoying the honeymoon to the fullest.
17. Everyone was __________ at the reunion, reminiscing about old times.
18. They decided to __________ after the big win and celebrate their success.
19. The surprise party was __________, and everyone had a great time.
20. I’m really looking forward to __________ after a stressful week.
21. They’re planning to __________ for the holidays and enjoy every moment.
22. It’s important to __________ and appreciate life’s small moments of happiness.
23. The road trip was a __________, full of fun stops and laughter along the way.

Answer Key

1. Kick back and relax
2. Paint the town red
3. Have a whale of a time
4. Have a blast
5. Kick up your heels
6. On cloud nine
7. Throw a shindig
8. Live for the moment
9. Living life to the fullest
10. Live for the weekend
11. Throw a party
12. A blast from the past
13. Having a good time on the town
14. Live it up
15. Have a ball
16. Let your hair down
17. Be in good spirits
18. Make a night of it
19. On top of the world
20. Enjoy the ride
21. Live life to the fullest
22. Seize the day
23. Live for the weekend

Conclusion

Having a good time is essential for a balanced and joyful life, and these 23 idioms for having a good time provide a colorful and creative way to express moments of fun, excitement, and celebration. Whether you’re out partying, enjoying a quiet moment, or sharing laughter with friends, these idioms allow you to describe your happiness and enjoyment in vivid terms.

Using these idioms in everyday conversations or writing can help you convey the joy of experiences more effectively. Whether you’re describing a memorable night out, an exciting vacation, or a relaxing weekend, these expressions help you capture the essence of having fun and making the most out of every moment.