English Reference
Idiom idiom

give someone their flowers


To praise someone or to acknowledge their work or accomplishments.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

“You should give your teacher her flowers for all her hard work.”

“I want to give my neighbor her flowers for always helping me.”

“We give the volunteers their flowers for keeping the park clean.”

CONTEXTUAL

“At the retirement party, the team finally gave their manager his flowers for leading them through such a difficult year.”

“The young artist thanked the older generation for their influence, saying it was time to give them their flowers for changing the music industry.”

“After the successful launch, the CEO took a moment during the meeting to give the design team their flowers for their creative vision.”

COMPLEX

“It is important to give people their flowers while they are still here to appreciate the recognition of their lifelong contributions.”


Attributed to the custom of presenting bouquets to stage performers at the conclusion of a production. The gesture translates the floral tribute from a post-performance formality into a broader recognition of merit while the recipient is still present to observe it.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    as if someone owns the place

    Alternative form of like someone owns the place.

  2. 02

    beat someone round the ears

    To beat (a person) with blows about the head.

  3. 03

    bless someone with

    To give or bestow, as a gift from God.

  4. 04

    bring someone to their knees

    To defeat and make submit to orders.

  5. 05

    call someone every name in the book

    To call someone many abusive names.

  6. 06

    call someone everything but a child of God

    To call someone many abusive names.

  7. 07

    catch someone napping

    To take advantage of someone's inattention.

  8. 08

    cry someone a river

    To weep profusely or excessively in the presence of another person.

Last updated August 10, 2026