ENGLISH
REFERENCE

gather rosebuds

idiom
Meaning

To enjoy life's immediate pleasures; to behave in a relaxed, carefree manner.


Origin

From the first line of "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time" (inspired by Wisdom 2:8) by Robert Herrick (1591-1674): :: Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, :: Old time is still a-flying; :: And this same flower that smiles today :: Tomorrow will be dying.

Examples
SIMPLE

You should gather rosebuds while you are young.

CONTEXTUAL

Instead of worrying about his career, he decided to travel and gather rosebuds for a few months.

COMPLEX

The poet urged his readers to gather rosebuds, reminding them that time passes quickly and youth does not last forever.

Anchors to
Related idioms1entry
  1. 01

    gather way

    To begin to move

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