8 Egg-Related Idioms and Expressions for Easter‍

These eggy idioms are cracking good additions to your vocabulary this spring!

With Easter just around the corner, eggs start appearing everywhere — in decorations, traditions, festive foods, and of course, language. Across cultures, eggs symbolize new beginnings, growth, fragility, and wisdom. So it’s no surprise that they’ve also made their way into everyday expressions.

Let’s explore some popular English egg idioms - and then take a look at how French, German, and even Swedish play with egg imagery as well.

1. Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket

Meaning: Don’t risk everything on a single plan or investment.

Example: She invested all her savings in one startup. I told her not to put all her eggs in one basket!

A classic idiom often used in business and finance — but relevant in any risky situation.

2. To Be a Good Egg

Meaning: To be a kind, dependable, or good-natured person.

Example: I can always count on you when my workload gets heavy — you’re a good egg.

A warm, friendly way to compliment someone’s character.

3. To Be / Walk on Eggshells

Meaning: To act very carefully in a delicate situation, trying not to upset someone.

Example: Ever since the incident, I’ve been walking on eggshells around my manager.

A great idiom for describing sensitive workplace dynamics.

4. To Egg Someone On

Meaning: To encourage or provoke someone to do something, often something risky or unwise.

Example: I egged him on to change the wording in the slide deck, but later admitted his original version was better.

Despite the spelling, this phrase has nothing to do with eggs — it comes from an old English verb meaning “to incite.”

5. To Have Egg on One’s Face

Meaning: To feel embarrassed or look foolish after making a mistake.

Example: I had egg on my face after accidentally using the wrong brand name in the presentation.

A useful idiom in professional contexts — especially when discussing missteps.

Egg Idioms Beyond English

Not only does English have its fair share of egg idioms — other languages also enjoy adding a little egg-related flavour to their expressions. Here are three examples from French, German, and Swedish.

6. Avoir un œuf à peler avec quelqu’un — “To have an egg to peel with someone” (French)

Meaning: To have a dispute or problem to settle; similar to “to have a bone to pick with someone.”

Example: J’ai un œuf à peler avec toi — pourquoi as-tu mangé mon dessert ?! (I have a bone to pick with you — why did you eat my dessert?!)

A wonderfully vivid expression for addressing conflict.

7. Das Gelbe vom Ei — “The yellow of the egg” (German)

Meaning: Something ideal or perfect; “the best of the best.”

Example: Die Lösung ist nicht das Gelbe vom Ei, aber sie funktioniert. (The solution isn’t perfect, but it works.)

A charming German way of acknowledging that something may not be ideal — but still acceptable.

8. Kläcka (Swedish) — “To hatch (an idea)”

Meaning: To come up with or develop a new idea.

Example: Hon kläckte en riktigt smart lösning på problemet.(She hatched a really clever solution to the problem.)

While Swedish doesn’t have many egg idioms, the metaphor of “hatching” an idea is common — a fun nod to creativity and new beginnings.

Why Language Learners Should Embrace Idioms

Idioms like these are more than seasonal fun — they reveal how culture, humour, and shared experience shape language. Learning idioms helps you:

• understand how people really speak

• sound more natural and fluent

• appreciate the humour and imagery behind expressions

• feel more connected to the cultures you’re learning about

This Easter, keep an ear out for egg idioms — you might be surprised how often they pop up!