Is it really March? Spring is in the air in California: the sun is shining, spring flowers are blooming, and winter seems to be a distant memory. To celebrate the arrival of spring weather, we have some fun idioms with the word “march.”
The word “march” means:
1. to move along steadily usually with a rhythmic stride and in step with others
2. to move in a direct purposeful manner : proceed
3. to make steady progress : advance
It is not surprising that many of the expressions idioms we use with the word “march” elicit images of marching or moving.
March to the beat of a different drum: to be unique’ different from the rest.
“Everyone wore a suit and tie to the party, but not Henry. He wore a powder blue tuxedo.”
“Are you surprised?”
“No. He has always marched to the beat of a different drum.”
March on: to continue
The expression “Time marches on” is used with this phrasal verb.
March madness: The expression “March Madness,” was first used in 1939 by a high school basketball coach. The coach, named Henry Porter, used this expression to refer to the excitement the public had for his state’s boys basketball tournament.
March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb: Because the weather at the beginning of the month of March is typically cold, and the weather at the end of March tends to be warm, we use this expression. Of course, if you live in California, the first part of this expression is less likely to be true! 🙂
Quick question: you ever wondered why the month is named “March?” The word comes from Mars, the name of one of the Roman gods. It was the first month of the Roman calendar. Enjoy this little piece of trivia!