Dictionary

gather rosebuds en · VERB

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio

Etymology

From the first line of "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time" (inspired by Wisdom 2:8) by Robert Herrick (1591-1674): :: Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, :: Old time is still a-flying; :: And this same flower that smiles today :: Tomorrow will be dying.

Meanings

1. (idiomatic) To enjoy life's immediate pleasures; to behave in a relaxed, carefree manner.
   • “Fleet Foxes” meandered and gathered rosebuds and killed time, but it also announced the arrival of a significant young songwriter. 2011 April 22, Tris McCall, “CD Reviews: Helplessness Blues”, in NJ.com, retrieved 05 Apr 2015:
   • But the sun shines on me still, and like any other poet I am gathering rosebuds while I may, for the glory of flowers too soon is past and summer hath too short a lease. 2001 September 10, Garrison Keillor, “In Praise of Laziness”, in Time, retrieved 05 Apr 2015:
   • Gather rosebuds, Gráinne, gather rosebuds. Look at your moths and butterflies and think of possibilities, think of love, Gráinne, think of open spaces and freedom and love. 1995, John F. Deane, Flightlines, page 117:
   • . . . Or the poets who have kept turning out exhortations to seize the day and gather rosebuds. 2009 December 28, John Tierney, “Carpe Diem? Maybe Tomorrow”, in New York Times, retrieved 05 Apr 2015:
   • Pottleby: I like to see young people enjoying their youth—gathering rosebuds. 1890, Louis Napoleon Parker, St. George and the Dragon, Act 1, p. 2 (Google books)

Forms

Relateds

eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die · stop and smell the roses

Synonyms

carpe diem · seize the day · take the cash and let the credit go

wikipedia: Robert Herrick · wikipedia: To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time