smell the roses
smell the roses (idiom)
/smɛl ðə ˈroʊzɪz/
Meaning
- To take the time to enjoy or appreciate things that are often overlooked in daily life.
- To slow down and become aware of the present, finding happiness in little things we often ignore.
- To take a break from a busy schedule to relax and savor life’s enjoyable moments.
- To pause in one’s daily activities to appreciate and enjoy the simple pleasures and beauty that life offers.
- To cease rushing through tasks and instead take time to enjoy and appreciate life’s finer aspects.
Example Sentences
- After months of stress, Sarah decided to stop and smell the roses by taking a weekend off.
- It’s important to take time to smell the roses and appreciate the small joys in life.
- Life’s too short to rush—sometimes, you just need to slow down and smell the roses.
- After working nonstop, he realized it was time to wake up and smell the roses and enjoy life more.
- Amid her hectic schedule, Lisa decided to smell the roses and enjoy a quiet morning walk.
- She realized she had been too focused on work and needed to smell the roses with her family.
- The scenic drive reminded him to smell the roses and enjoy the beauty around him.
Origin and History
Walter Hagen’s Influence
A commonly held belief attributes the sentiment behind “stop and smell the roses” to American golfer Walter Hagen. In his 1956 autobiography, The Walter Hagen Story, he advised:
“You’re only here for a short visit. Don’t hurry. Don’t worry. And be sure to smell the flowers along the way.”
Although Hagen mentions “flowers” rather than “roses,” many suggest that his words encapsulated the essence of the modern idiom, leading to its popular paraphrased form.
Musical Contributions
The phrase gained further prominence through music. In 1974, singer-songwriter Mac Davis released the song “Stop and Smell the Roses,” which emphasized the importance of slowing down to enjoy life’s simple joys. Additionally, in 1981, former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr released a solo album titled Stop and Smell the Roses, further embedding the phrase into popular culture.
Evolution and Conflation with Other Idioms
Over time, variations of the phrase have emerged, sometimes leading to conflations with other expressions. For instance, “wake up and smell the roses” appears to be a blend of “stop and smell the roses” and “wake up and smell the coffee.” The latter phrase, urging individuals to become aware of reality, was popularized by advice columnist Ann Landers in the mid-20th century. The fusion of these idioms reflects the dynamic nature of language and how expressions evolve over time.
Cultural Significance
The enduring appeal of “stop and smell the roses” lies in its universal message: amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life, it’s vital to pause and appreciate the beauty around us. This sentiment resonates across cultures and generations, reminding individuals to find joy in the present moment and cherish life’s simple pleasures.
Synonyms
- stop and smell the flowers
- take a breather
- take it easy
- live in the moment
- smell the coffee (though this has a slightly different meaning)
- pause and reflect
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