5 Flower Expressions to Teach Students This Spring

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Do you have extra lesson time or need ideas for a free-talk lesson?

Spring is right around the corner in most of our students' countries, so it's a good time to introduce some expressions related to flowers. Here are five useful ones to get you started – along with some example sentences and relevant discussion questions.

While you're at it, make sure to try out our new virtual background! 🌸🌸🌸

1. Flowery (adj.)

"Flowery" originally described something that's covered in or decorated with flowers. These days, we usually use it to describe language that's too fancy.

Flowery writing will make your point less clear.
Shakespeare's writing is considered flowery by modern-day standards.

Learners often confuse "flowery" with "floral." You might want to explain that "flowery" is usually used to describe language, while "floral" is used to describe things related to flowers (e.g. "floral smell").

Here are some questions you can discuss with students.

Can you share some flower-related words in your language?
Is flowery language acceptable in your language?

2. Late-Bloomer (n.)

When a flower opens up, it "blooms": e.g. "The flowers in our garden are blooming."

A common expression that uses "bloom" is "late bloomer." A late-blooming flower blooms in autumn – much later than other flowers. In the same way, someone who is a "late bloomer" grows, becomes successful, or does something later than other people their age.

I was a late bloomer. I only started getting taller in my teens.
Most figure skaters start competing as children, but Sara is a late bloomer who started in her teens.

Here are some questions related to this word.

Do you think it's better to be a late bloomer or an early bloomer? Why?
Have you or anyone in your life ever felt like a late bloomer in some way?

3. Blossom (n., v.)

"Blossoms" refer to flowers on trees and bushes, especially ones that produce fruit. That's why we don't call cherry blossoms "flowers" even though they're technically also flowers.

"Blossom" also has a verb form: e.g. "Our apple tree is blossoming." As a verb, it can be used to describe that something is developing well.

Rock and roll blossomed in the 1950s.
His career blossomed after he changed jobs.

Here are some questions you can ask your students.

Is there anything in your life now that you would like to see "blossom"?
What are some things that you would say are "blossoming" in your country?

4. Budding (adj.)

A "bud" is "a small growth on a plant that develops into a leaf or flower": e.g. "The first buds on these trees usually appear in early March."

We can also describe people and things as "budding" if they're just starting to develop and seem promising.

Jon is a budding journalist. At the age of 15, he's writing for the local newspaper.
Justin Bieber's fans are sad about his budding romance with a model.

Here are some discussion questions related to this word.

Do you have any budding skills or talents? Any new hobbies you're starting to explore?
Do you know the word "taste bud"? Why do you think they're called "buds" too?

5. Nip in the Bud (idiom)

"Nipping something in the bud" literally means to cut off the bud so a plant cannot flower. So if you "nip something in the bud," you take actions early to prevent a problem from becoming worse.

My daughter has started smoking and I want to nip that in the bud.
Because the cancer was detected at an early stage, doctors were able to nip it in the bud.

Here are some questions related to this phrase:

Are there any bad habits you want to nip in the bud?
What are some issues that you wish had been nipped in the bud?

👋 That’s It For Now!

We hope this gave you an idea of some words you can teach students this season. For more free-talk ideas, check out "Conversation Topic: Spring, Allergies, and Cherry Blossoms" – our post on spring in our students' home countries.