[blow|clear] away the cobwebs
1
to refresh oneself, usually by going outside or doing some physical activities
The idiom "blow away the cobwebs" likely originates from the visual metaphor of actual cobwebs. When a place or an area is left undisturbed for a while, cobwebs can accumulate, and clearing them away requires a gust of air or a physical action to refresh the space. This idiom is often used to describe the process of refreshing one's mindset or perspective when feeling mentally tired or uninspired.
- Simple childhood memories have a way of clearing the cobwebs away.
- The changes cleared away the cobwebs and stirred the survivors to keener effort.
- We have a cottage in the Cotswolds, and getting back there after a few days in London really blows away the cobwebs.
- A brisk walk in the morning helps me blow away the cobwebs and prepare for the day.
- After a short break, I can clear away the cobwebs and approach the problem with a fresh perspective.