It’s summer in the United States, and for many that means finding ways to stay cool in the heat. For others, it’s a chance to get outdoors and away from routine.

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If you talk to an American, it probably won’t be long before he or she uses one of these expressions to describe his or her summer activities.

Catch some rays

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What it means: To sit or lie outside in the sun; to sunbathe.
In conversation: “Yesterday, I lay on the beach and caught some rays.”

(Travel) on a shoestring

What it means: (To travel) with a very small amount of money.
In conversation: “Mike is trying to save money, so he’s traveling on a shoestring this summer.”

Dog days of summer

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What it means: The hottest days of summer; the hottest time of year.
In conversation: “It has been at least 100 degrees every day this week. The dog days of summer are here!”

Off the beaten path

What it means: A place where few people go; a place that is not frequently visited and is not well-known.
In conversation: “When traveling, Anita loves to go to places that are off the beaten path. She thinks they’re more interesting than typical tourist attractions.”

Beat the heat

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What it means: To avoid the heat of summer; to make oneself cooler or go to a place to stay cool, especially during hot days in summer.
In conversation: “It’s always air-conditioned in the mall, so let’s go there today to beat the heat.”

Soak up the (some) sun

What it means: To enjoy the sun; to sit outside in the sun.
In conversation: “Let’s go to the park and soak up some sun while the weather is nice.”