season

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'tis the season

Used to indicate that something is appropriate to or indicative of the Christmas season. A: "Do we really have to listen to 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer' again?" B: "Come on, 'tis the season!" A: "Wow, that was so generous of you! You really didn't have to go out of your way like that, Sarah!" B: "Ah, it was no bother, and I wanted to bring you a little happiness. 'Tis the season, after all!"

See also: season

a man for all seasons

A man who is successful and talented in many areas. Harold is a talented writer, director, and actor. He's a man for all seasons.

a woman for all seasons

A woman who is successful and talented in many areas. Judy paints, does photography, and writes novels. She's a woman for all seasons.

come in(to) season

To be in a state of sexual excitement and able to breed, as of a female animal. Do you hear the stray cat howling and screeching at night? She must have come into season.

come into season

1. To be able to be hunted legally, as of a wild animal. We're going hunting this weekend, now that deer have come into season.

2. To be in a state of sexual excitement and able to breed, as of a female animal. Do you hear the stray cat howling and screeching at night? She must have come into season.

for everything there is a season

proverb Everything has its own appointed time. The phrase comes from the biblical Book of Ecclesiastes. You'll find love eventually, don't worry. Like the Bible says, for everything there is a season. I wouldn't question them about this big decision right now. for everything there is a season.

See also: everything, for, season, there

four seasons in one day

Weather that is extremely variable and inconsistent. I know it's nice out now, you should really pack a heavier jacket. We've been having four seasons in one day lately. You get four seasons in one day here, even in the middle of July. You might be roasting in the sunshine one minute, then drenched in rain the next!

gooseberry season

A period during which news outlets cover frivolous or less serious news stories, typically during the summer when fewer topics are generated. Primarily heard in UK. I don't even buy the paper during the gooseberry season because there's nothing worth reading about. You know it's the gooseberry season when your assignment is to cover the circus.

in good season

In a timely manner. You are all fine candidates for the position, and I will inform you of my decision in good season.

in season

1. At the point in the year when the item being discussed is being harvested and/or at its peak ripeness, most plentiful, etc. Tomatoes won't be in season until late summer.

2. At the point in the year when it is legal to hunt or catch the animal being discussed. Make sure you know what's in season before you go out hunting—the regulations are very strict.

3. Of an animal, in its breeding period; in heat. Be sure to steer clear of the bison when they're in season.

See also: season

off season

1. noun A period of reduced or minimal business activity. The small beach town is very crowded in the summer, but it's almost completely deserted in the off season. I try to travel during the off season, because everything is so much cheaper then.

2. adjective Of or relating to such a period of minimal business activity. Hyphenated when used before a noun. The off-season rates are less than half what they were charging during the peak season. It's off season now, so I doubt there will be too many shops open.

3. adverb During such a period of minimal business activity. Hyphenated when used before a noun. My wife and I travel off season because it costs less and we don't like to be among big crowds of tourists.

open season (on someone or something)

1. A period of unrestricted hunting on a particular type of animal. Because of the problems with overpopulation, the governor declared open season on deer across the entire state.

2. By extension, a situation or period of time in which someone or something is open to constant, unyielding criticism, scorn, or mistreatment. It's going to be open season if news of this scandal reaches the public. The president seems to be declaring open season on all politicians who disagree with his policies.

out of season

1. Not in the time of year in which something is grown, produced, or sold. The restaurant only uses local produce, so their menu changes if something is out of season.

2. Not in the time of year in which something is legally permitted to be hunted, caught, or trapped. You'll get a hefty fine if you shoot a deer out of season.

See also: of, out, season

season (something) with (something)

1. Literally, to improve or enhance the flavor of some food with salt, pepper, or another kind of seasoning or flavoring. A noun or pronoun can be used between "season" and "with." They season the meat with coarse sea salt, then grill it very quickly on either side. I like to season my sauces with paprika and a bit of cayenne.

2. By extension, to make something more interesting, dynamic, or lively by the addition of something else. Why they felt the need to season the original story with all these huge CGI action scenes is beyond me. You've packed a lot of great information into your presentation, but try to season it with some humor or interesting anecdotes. It's just a bit dry as it is.

See also: season

season's greetings

A set phrase used to formally greet people during a holiday season, especially in Christmas cards. Season's greetings, from everyone here at Rex Motor Group Inc.

silly season

A period during which news outlets cover frivolous or less serious news stories, typically during the summer when fewer topics are generated. Primarily heard in UK. I don't even buy the paper during the silly season because there's nothing worth reading about. You know it's the silly season when your assignment is to cover the circus.

the killing season

rude slang The supposed rise in medical mistakes that occurs at the same time as newly-qualified doctors begin to treat patients, usually in early August. Primarily heard in US. I'm doubly worried about my dad. Not only does he have to have emergency surgery, but he's having it during the killing season—he's being treated by some doctor who's younger than I am!

to everything there is a season

proverb Everything has its own appointed time. The phrase comes from the biblical Book of Ecclesiastes. You'll find love eventually, don't worry. Like the Bible says, to everything there is a season. I wouldn't question them about this big decision right now. To everything there is a season.

come in(to) heat

and come in(to) season

[for a female animal] to enter into the breeding season. This animal will come into heat in the spring. When did your dog come in season?

come into season

1. [for a game animal] to be subject to legal hunting. When do ducks come into season around here? Deer came into season just yesterday.

2. Go to come in(to) heat.

in season

1. [of a game animal] subject to legal hunting. You cannot shoot ducks. They are not in season.

2. [of a female animal] ready to breed; in estrus; in heat. The cat's in season again.

3. to be currently available for selling. (Some foods and other things are available only at certain seasons. *Typically: be ~; come [into] ~.) Oysters are available in season. Strawberries aren't in season in January.

See also: season

off season

not in the busy time of the year. We don't have much to do off season. Things are very quiet around here off season.

open season

(on some creature) a time of unrestricted hunting of a particular game animal. It's always open season on rabbits around here.

open season (on someone)

Fig. a period of time when everyone is criticizing someone. (Based on open season (on some creature).) It seems as if it's always open season on politicians. At the news conference, it was open season on the mayor.

out of season

1. not now available for sale. Sorry, oysters are out of season. We don't have any. Watermelon is out of season in the winter.

2. Fig. not now legally able to be hunted or caught. Are salmon out of season? I caught a trout out of season and had to pay a fine.

See also: of, out, season

season something with something

to make something more flavorful with specific spices and herbs. I always season my stews with lots of freshly ground black pepper. The chili was seasoned with cumin and allspice, among other things.

See also: season

in season

1. At the right time, opportunely, as in "The two young men desired to get back again in good season" (Charles Dickens, Martin Chuzzlewit, 1844).

2. Available and ready for eating, or other use; also, legal for hunting or fishing. For example, Strawberries are now in season, or Let me know when trout are in season and I'll go fishing with you. Both usages date from the 1300s, as does the antonym out of season, used for "inopportunely," "unavailable," and also for "not in fashion." For example, Sorry, oysters are out of season this month, or This style used to be very popular, but it's been out of season for several years.

See also: season

open season on

A period of unrestrained criticism or attack on something or someone, as in During an election year it's open season on all officeholders. This expression alludes to the period during which one may legally hunt or fish. [Colloquial; c. 1900]

out of season

see under in season.

See also: of, out, season

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

open season

COMMON If you say that it is open season on someone or something, you mean that a lot of people are criticizing or attacking them. It's been open season on bankers since the recession started. The press has long declared open season on the royals. Note: In hunting, the open season is the period of the year when it is legal to hunt particular types of animals or birds.

a man for all seasons

a man who is ready to cope with any contingency and whose behaviour is always appropriate to every occasion.

Robert Whittington applied this description to the English statesman and scholar Sir Thomas More ( 1478–1535 ), and it was used by Robert Bolt as the title of his 1960 play about More.

the silly season

the months of August and September regarded as the time when newspapers often publish trivia because of a lack of important news. chiefly British

This concept and phrase date back to the mid 19th century. In high summer Victorian London was deserted by the wealthy and important during the period in which Parliament and the law courts were in recess.

ˌin/ˌout of ˈseason

1 (of fruit, vegetables, fish, etc.) available/not available in shops/stores because it is the right/wrong time of year for them: Peaches are in season at the moment.
2 at the time of year when many/few people go on holiday/vacation: Hotels are much cheaper out of season.
3 during the time of year when you can/cannot hunt animals: You can’t shoot ducks out of season.

See also: of, out, season

(the) season’s ˈgreetings

(written) used as a greeting at Christmas, especially on Christmas cards

the ˈsilly season

(British English) the time, usually in the summer, when newspapers are full of unimportant stories because there is little serious news

in season

1. Available or ready for eating or other use.

2. Legally permitted to be caught or hunted during a specified period.

3. At the right moment; opportunely.

4. In heat. Used of animals.

See also: season

out of season

1. Not available, permitted, or ready to be eaten, caught, or hunted.

2. Not at the right or proper moment; inopportunely.

See also: of, out, season

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

place for everything (and everything in its place), a

An old maxim for neatness. The earliest citation for it is a naval novel of 1842, but it continues to be used, both in the sense of tidiness and by extension, appropriateness. The second, more figurative sense is meant in P. Dickinson’s Skin Deep (1968), “Do you run your whole life like that? . . . A place for everything and everything in its place, and all in easy reach.”