THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE

Have a change of scenery

Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.

01 / UNDERSTAND

Meaning in plain English

Spend time in a different place from your usual surroundings.

02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT

The expression in a sentence

I worked at the library to have a change of scenery.

03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Quick idiom quiz

Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.

Can you recall the expression?

Complete the example using the expression from this lesson.

I worked at the library to ________.

Show the answer

Have a change of scenery — Spend time in a different place from your usual surroundings.

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Make it yours

Write one sentence using “Have a change of scenery” about your own life.

Your sentence (optional)

Check your sentence

Does your sentence match this meaning?

Spend time in a different place from your usual surroundings.

Compare: I worked at the library to have a change of scenery.

Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.

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GO DEEPER

More ways to understand and use it

When to use it

Use this everyday expression when suggesting a break from a familiar setting. The new place may be nearby; an expensive trip is not necessary.

More examples in context

After weeks in the city, we wanted a change of scenery.
Let’s eat in the garden and have a change of scenery.

Usage note

Say “a change of scenery”, not “a change of sceneries”. “Scenery” is uncountable. Here it refers to different surroundings, rather than a change in a theatre set.

A short conversation

A: Shall we study in the same room again?
B: I’d rather have a change of scenery. How about the library?
A: Good idea. We can use the quiet floor.

One more practice question

Which choice gives you a change of scenery?

A. Staying at your usual desk all day as normal.
B. Working in a different place for the afternoon.

Check your answer

B. Different surroundings provide the change of scenery.

Related lessons

Meaning and usage checked against Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.