English idiom: “Cool as a cucumber”

Cool as a cucumber is a kind English idiom, often used to describe someone who remains calm and relaxed, even during a daunting or seemingly stressful situation.

For example: a friend could use it while trying to encourage another friend before a job interview that they have been hoping to be successful in, “You’ll do great, you’re as cool as a cucumber!”

The idiom has been around as far back as the 1600 play ‘Cupid’s Revenge’. Back then, they said ‘cold as cucumbers’ and since then, the modern version of the phrase is seen in literature since John Gay’s 1732  “New Song on New Similes” poem.

The idiom derives from the fact that cucumbers always remain cool and fresh, even in hot conditions. Interestingly, The word cool in the expression, isn’t describing having a low temperature, but is instead describing an emotional state of calm and control.

Whenever you want to remain unstressed during exam season, look for those friends who give off that cool as a cucumber attitude!