23 Star Idioms in English and Their Meanings • 7ESL

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Language can transport us to the heavens, and through the use of star idioms, we often find ourselves weaving celestial metaphors into our daily conversations. Stars hold a fascination for us as ancient as storytelling itself, representing guidance, inspiration, and aspiration. When we incorporate these sparkling symbols into our speech, we evoke the magic and mystery of the night sky, giving weight to our words with the gravity of the cosmos.

Star Idioms List

What are Star Idioms?

Star idioms are phrases in which the word “star” is used figuratively to convey meanings not literally related to the celestial stars in the sky. We often use these idioms in our daily conversations to express ideas about success, ambition, luck, and destiny. The symbol of a star usually holds positive connotations, denoting something outstanding or aspirational.

Below is a list of some popular star idioms and their meanings:

Idiom	Meaning
Aim for the stars	Pursue lofty goals.
Star-crossed lovers	A relationship doomed by destiny.
Born under a lucky star	To have ongoing good fortune.
A rising star	Someone who is becoming increasingly successful.

List of Star Idioms

Idiom
Born under a lucky star	Star-studded
See stars	Reach for the stars
Star-crossed	Star in one’s own right
Stars in one’s eyes	Every star has its twinkle
Fall from the stars	Hitch your wagon to a star
Stars align	Counting stars
Under the stars	Star of the show
Dancing with the stars	Like stars in the sky
Aim for the stars	Rising star
A sky full of stars	Star in the making
Shoot for the stars	A star is born
Thank your lucky stars

Star Idioms with Meaning and Example

Idioms	Meanings with Example Sentences
Born under a lucky star	To be naturally lucky. Example: He must have been born under a lucky star; everything always works out for him.
See stars	To be momentarily stunned or dazed, often from a blow to the head. Example: He saw stars* after bumping his head on the door.*
Star-crossed	Doomed to end unhappily (especially in a romantic relationship). Example: The lovers were star-crossed, just like Romeo and Juliet.
Star-studded	Featuring many famous people. Example: The awards ceremony was a star-studded* event.*
Reach for the stars	To aim for something high or ambitious. Example: She always told her children to reach for the stars.
Star in one’s own right	To be famous or outstanding in one’s area. Example: Though she started as a backup singer, she’s now a star in her own right.
Every star has its twinkle	Everyone is unique or special in their way. Example: In our diverse team, every star has its twinkle.
Fall from the stars	To lose one’s status or position. Example: After the scandal, the once beloved mayor fell from the stars.
Hitch your wagon to a star	To aspire to or align oneself with something commendable or ambitious. Example: He decided to hitch his wagon to a star* and pursue his dream of becoming an actor.*
Stars align	When circumstances create the perfect conditions for something to happen. Example: They finally got together when the stars aligned.
Counting stars	Engaging in a futile or idle activity. Example: Instead of lying awake at night counting stars, make a plan and act on it.
Under the stars	Outdoors at night, especially in a romantic setting. Example: They had a beautiful dinner date under the stars.
Star of the show	The main attraction or most important part. Example: She was the star of the show* in the musical.*
Dancing with the stars	Participating in a dance competition (also the title of a popular TV show). Example: He’s been dancing with the stars* since he was a teenager.*
Like stars in the sky	Numerous or infinite in number. Example: Her admirers were like stars in the sky, too many to count.
Rising star	Someone who is becoming increasingly popular or successful. Example: The young athlete is a rising star* in the world of tennis.*
A sky full of stars	A situation or field with many notable personalities or opportunities. Example: The literature festival was a sky full of stars, with famous authors attending from all over the world.
Star in the making	A person who shows promise of becoming famous or successful in the future. Example: The young singer is a star in the making.

Common Star Idioms

Shoot for the stars

Meaning: This idiom encourages someone to set their goals or ambitions very high and to strive for the best or the most positive outcome.
Usage in context: It is used to motivate people to pursue their dreams without limiting themselves.
Example: When his daughter expressed doubt about applying to the prestigious university, her father said, “You should always shoot for the stars, honey. You’re smart enough to get in.”

A star is born

Meaning: This phrase is used to indicate that someone has performed so outstandingly well in a particular area, especially for the first time, that they are destined to become famous or successful.
Usage in context: It is often used in the entertainment industry when a new performer shows exceptional talent.
Example: After the young singer’s breathtaking performance at the talent show, the headline in the local paper read, “A star is born.”

Thank your lucky stars

Meaning: This idiom is a way of telling someone to be grateful for their good fortune or luck.
Usage in context: It is used when someone has had a close call or has unexpectedly had a positive outcome.
Example: “You should thank your lucky stars that you left the building before the power outage occurred,” said Tom to his colleagues who avoided being stuck in the elevator.

Aim for the stars

Meaning: Similar to “shoot for the stars,” this idiom suggests setting high goals or ambitions and trying to achieve something great.
Usage in context: It is used to inspire people to aspire to greatness and not to settle for mediocrity.
Example: The valedictorian’s speech was inspiring; she urged her classmates to aim for the stars in all of their future endeavors.

Stars in one’s eyes

Meaning: This idiom describes a person who is filled with excitement and optimism, especially about their prospects or dreams.
Usage in context: It is often used to describe someone who is naively enthusiastic or has big dreams, sometimes without understanding the challenges involved.
Example: With stars in his eyes, the young entrepreneur pitched his innovative business idea to the panel of investors, convinced of its potential to change the world.

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Jim Manheim

Jim Manheim is a highly skilled writer, editor, and teacher from Michigan, with a wealth of experience and expertise in the English language, including slang and idioms. He is widely recognized as a word geek and a music enthusiast, as well as a grammar and writing expert, with a passion for language that shines through in his work.