Idiom: Deck the Halls
Example 1:
Jennifer: (singing) Deck the halls with boughs of holly, Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la!
Olaf: What? I don’t understand a word you are singing!
Jennifer: It’s an old Christmas carol, or song, Deck the Halls!
Olaf: What does it mean?
Jennifer: Well, “deck the halls” means to decorate for Christmas. A bough is a branch, so they are hanging up branches of holly.
Olaf: Ummm, what is holly?
Jennifer: Oh, it’s a type of flowering plant, usually with green leaves and small red round berries.
Olaf: I see those everywhere at Christmas time. Teach me the song!
Example #2 – Two roommates are talking at home
Jack: This neighborhood is gorgeous. Look at all the Christmas lights.
Terri: I know! Every single house is decorated with something unique. It’s a beautiful sight.
Jack: Hey, I heard that Carlos is moving to this neighborhood with his new wife next year.
Terri: Well, they had better be prepared to deck the halls and a whole lot more at Christmas time!
Meaning: “Deck the halls” comes from an old Christmas carol, or song, and it simply means to put up decorations at Christmas time.
