# gather rosebuds

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/gather-rosebuds
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

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

## Examples

- You should gather rosebuds while you are young.
- Instead of worrying about his career, he decided to travel and gather rosebuds for a few months.
- The poet urged his readers to gather rosebuds, reminding them that time passes quickly and youth does not last forever.

## 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.