As the nights grow longer and the air turns crisp, Halloween draws near, bringing with it a host of spooky traditions. From trick-or-treating to haunted houses, this autumn holiday is filled with fun, fear, and a few quirky expressions. Here are some of the most common Halloween phrases and their meanings to help you get into the spirit of the season.
- Trick or Treat
Perhaps the most iconic Halloween phrase, "trick or treat" is what children chant as they go door-to-door, dressed in costumes, asking for sweets. The idea is simple: if no treats are given, a mischievous “trick” might follow! Thankfully, most opt for handing out sweets, leaving the tricks behind.
- Spooky
Anything that feels a bit eerie, creepy, or hair-raising can be described as “spooky.” It’s a light-hearted term often used for things that are fun-scary rather than truly terrifying. You might hear about a “spooky Halloween party” or see “spooky decorations” around this time of year.
- Ghost Town
While this phrase isn’t exclusive to Halloween, it’s often used during the season to describe a deserted or eerily quiet place. If you visit a town late at night and it feels empty and strange, you might say, “It’s like a ghost town here.”
- Bone-chilling
This expression is used to describe something that sends shivers down your spine – usually a cold wind, an eerie story, or a particularly frightening movie. It suggests a feeling so intense, it seems to chill your bones.
- Graveyard Shift
Working the "graveyard shift" refers to working late at night or in the early hours of the morning – the time when most people are asleep. The name evokes images of graveyards and the dead, making it perfect for Halloween's spooky atmosphere.
- Skeletons in the Closet
This phrase means having secrets or past actions that one would prefer to stay hidden. Although not specific to Halloween, it fits well with the imagery of skeletons and is often used around this time in a playful way.
- Scared Stiff
If you’re “scared stiff,” you’re so frightened that you can’t move. This phrase is perfect for those moments when a ghost story or haunted house really gets to you!
- Witching Hour
The “witching hour” refers to midnight – the time when witches, spirits, and supernatural beings are thought to be most active. It’s an old expression that taps into the mystical side of Halloween.
- Bite the Dust
While this expression generally means to die or fail, it’s often used in a playful context during Halloween, especially in horror films when another character meets their doom at the hands of a monster or ghost.
- Haunted
Anything that is said to be "haunted" is believed to be visited or inhabited by ghosts. From haunted houses to haunted forests, the term is widely used to describe spooky places filled with supernatural presence.
Final Thoughts
Halloween is the perfect time to embrace these fun and spooky expressions. Whether you're enjoying a bone-chilling film or just handing out sweets to trick-or-treaters, these phrases will help you get into the spooky spirit of the season.
If you fancy doing some practise with these expressions then download the worksheet for this post here!
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