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Glite Dictionary
to stop and smell the roses

to stop and smell the roses

3 4.6
To take time to enjoy small pleasant things in life
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : detenerse a oler las rosas
  • Tell me, you're so busy, Dewey Cox, do you have time to stop and smell the roses?
  • stop and smell the roses, he said
  • wants to stop and smell the roses
  • time to stop and smell the roses

You don't stop and smell the roses or check out the flowers blooming.

Examples

  • You know, I think all you have to do is stop and smell the roses.

    Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022)

  • In our fast-paced lives, it's important to stop and smell the roses every once in a while.

  • Did he stop and smell the roses?

    Forsaking All Others (1934)

  • Like anything in life, it's about taking time to stop and smell the roses.

    Blog text (33)

  • You could say I learned to stop and smell the roses.

    Blog text (5)

  • Everything will be fine, so I should stop and smell the roses rather than obsess.

    Blog text (32)

  • Pay attention and stop and smell the roses sometimes, you know, that's what a lot of people regret not doing.

  • Part of the pleasure of being a work-from-home entrepreneur is the ability to stop and "smell the roses" during the day.

    Blog text (27)

  • Just as in life, there are some who prefer a more relaxed pace, one in which they are free to "stop and smell the roses" from time to time.

    Blog text (4)

  • Enjoy every moment—stop and smell the roses, Soneji reminded himself.

    Fiction book (1998)

Synonyms

to take it easy
vsto stop and smell the roses
  • Informal
572 2.5

Relax and avoid doing too much or worrying

urges intentionally pausing to notice simple pleasures when life is busy
to take a break
vsto stop and smell the roses
496 1.4

To stop doing something for a short time to rest or relax before continuing

adds the idea of appreciating simple pleasures during that short rest
to enjoy life
vsto stop and smell the roses
34 1.0

To feel happy and satisfied with your daily life

focuses on short pauses to appreciate simple pleasures, especially when busy
to breathe
vsto stop and smell the roses
  • Informal
25 2.6

To take a short break to rest

focuses on pausing specifically to savor small pleasant moments while busy
to take time out
vsto stop and smell the roses
24 3.2

Stop what you are doing to rest or do something different for a short time

focuses more on noticing and valuing small joys rather than just resting
to count one's blessings
vsto stop and smell the roses
  • Informal
17 4.1

To be thankful for the good things in your life

stresses taking restful pauses to notice everyday small pleasures when busy
to sit back and enjoy
vsto stop and smell the roses
  • Informal
16 3.0

Relax and feel happy about something without worrying

does the same but emphasizes taking time to notice small daily pleasures
to cherish every moment
vsto stop and smell the roses
3 3.2

To enjoy and be thankful for each moment

is about deliberately pausing during tasks to enjoy small pleasures
to enjoy the journey
vsto stop and smell the roses
1 3.2

Take pleasure in what you do, not only the result

is about pausing during busy times to notice small pleasant things

Antonyms

to ignore
∞ 1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

rush
1 4.1

Done quickly under pressure with less care than usual

How Relaxed

to unwind
35 3.4
to rest
816 1.0
to stop and smell the roses
  • Informal
3 4.6
to take a break
496 1.4
to slow down
687 1.4

Surface Forms

stop and smell the roses infinitive
stopped and smelled the roses past
stopped and smelled the roses past participle
stopping and smelling the roses present participle
stops and smells the roses third person singular

Morphology

stop + and + smell + the + rose

The literal combination 'stop' + 'smell' + 'rose' yields the straightforward image of pausing to smell flowers, which cues the idea of taking a moment. However, the conventionalized advice-to-slow-down meaning is a figurative extension that may not be fully predictable for a B1 learner without exposure, so it is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Stop and smell the roses shows a simple picture: a busy person who actually stops, smells the roses in a garden and takes a calm moment. That picture is why the phrase means 'to take time to relax and enjoy small things in life'.