occasion

a sense of occasion

A feeling of ceremony, fanfare, or pomp and circumstance (about a certain event or situation). She laid out the nice table cloth and dinner settings, lit candles, and had classical music playing to give the dinner a real sense of occasion. You don't have to hire a band and have fireworks, but I'd like some sense of occasion for my last day in the office.
See also: occasion, of, sense

auspicious occasion

A celebratory or momentous event, situation, or circumstance. (Note that the meaning of auspicious here is slightly altered from its standard definition of favorable or timely.) We would like to invite you to the auspicious occasion of the marriage of our son, Luke, to his bride-to-be, Sophia. It was an auspicious occasion in the city, as people poured onto the streets to celebrate the queen's ascent to the throne.
See also: occasion

equal to the occasion

Having the necessary ability, talent, qualities, or capability to handle or accomplish a given role or situation. The young soldier proved equal to the occasion and saved his platoon from an enemy ambush. We need a manager who can lead project initiatives and efficiently direct employees—do you think you're equal to the occasion?
See also: equal, occasion

have occasion to (do something)

To have a reason, requirement, or motivation to do something. Now that I work closer to home, I don't have occasion to go to that side of town very often.
See also: have, occasion

keep (something) for another time/day/week/etc.

To reserve or save something for some future point or event. I'm sorry we didn't get a chance to do the hang-gliding—I guess we'll just have to keep it for another day. Don't throw those decorations out! We can keep them for another occasion down the line!
See also: another, keep, time, week

leave (something) for another time/day/week/etc.

To reserve or save something for some future point or event. I'm sorry we didn't get a chance to do the hang-gliding—I guess we'll just have to leave it for another day. Don't throw those decorations out! We can leave them for another occasion down the line!
See also: another, leave, time, week

on occasion

Once in a while; occasionally. I don't really drink, but I do enjoy a nice glass of wine with a meal on occasion.
See also: occasion, on

rise to the occasion

To increase one's effort in response to a challenging situation. If you're going to lead this team, you've got to rise to the occasion and start motivating them. It was a tough act to follow, but the band rose to the occasion and played the best set of their career.
See also: occasion, rise

save (something) for another time/day/week/etc.

To reserve or save something for some future point or event. I'm sorry we didn't get a chance to do the hang-gliding—I guess we'll just have to save it for another day. Don't throw those decorations out! We can save them for another occasion down the line!
See also: another, save, time, week

take the occasion (to do something)

To capitalize on or make practical and worthwhile use of a particular event, situation, happening, or opportunity in order to accomplish something. While I have everyone here, I just wanted to take the occasion to thank you all for your support on this journey—it's been truly humbling, from beginning to end. I know you're discouraged about having to look for a new job, but take the occasion to consider different areas of work that you might be interested in.
See also: occasion, take
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

leave something for another occasion

 and keep something for another occasion
to hold something back for later. (Occasion can be replaced with time, day, person, etc.) Please leave some cake for another day. Don't eat all the cheese. Leave some for another occasion. I have to leave some of my earnings for next month.
See also: another, leave, occasion

on occasion

occasionally. I like to go to the movies on occasion. On occasion, Mary would walk her dog through the park.
See also: occasion, on

rise to the occasion

Fig. to meet the challenge of an event; to try extra hard to do a task. John was able to rise to the occasion and make the conference a success. It was a big challenge, but he rose to the occasion.
See also: occasion, rise
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

on occasion

From time to time, now and then, as in Nell has been known to eat meat on occasion. This usage, first in the form of upon occasion, replaced by occasion about 1600.
See also: occasion, on

rise to the occasion

Show unexpected skill in dealing with a difficulty that arises, as in The leading man broke his leg in the first act but his understudy rose to the occasion and was rewarded with excellent reviews . [Mid-1800s]
See also: occasion, rise
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

rise to the occasion

perform better than usual in response to a special situation or event.
See also: occasion, rise
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

have occasion to do something

(formal) have a reason or need to do something: If you ever have occasion to visit Zurich, you will always be welcome to stay with us.
See also: have, occasion, something

on ocˈcasion(s)

sometimes; not very often: I don’t smoke cigarettes but I like to smoke a cigar on occasion.
See also: occasion, on

rise to the ocˈcasion/ˈchallenge

do something successfully in a difficult situation, emergency, etc: When the lead singer became ill, Cathy had to take her place. Everyone thought she rose to the occasion magnificently. This company must be prepared to rise to the challenge of a rapidly changing market.
See also: challenge, occasion, rise

a sense of ocˈcasion

a feeling or an understanding that an event is important or special: Candles on the table gave the evening a sense of occasion.
See also: occasion, of, sense
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

on occasion

From time to time; now and then.
See also: occasion, on

rise to the occasion

To find the ability to deal with an unexpected challenge.
See also: occasion, rise

take the occasion

To make use of the opportunity (to do something).
See also: occasion, take
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • a sense of occasion
  • pomp and circumstance
  • fuss and feathers
  • come full circle
  • come/go full circle
  • full circle, come/go
  • it is what it is
  • mixed blessing
  • mixed blessing, a
  • a mixed blessing
References in classic literature
We often feel that something in our sensible environment is familiar, without having any definite recollection of previous occasions on which we have seen it.
Sensations while they are fading are called "akoluthic" sensations.* When the process of fading is completed (which happens very quickly), we arrive at the image, which is capable of being revived on subsequent occasions with very little change.
The Analysis of Mind
All the advantages of the stability, both of the Executive and of the Senate, would be defeated by this union, and infinite delays and embarrassments would be occasioned. The example of most of the States in their local constitutions encourages us to reprobate the idea.
The only remaining powers of the Executive are comprehended in giving information to Congress of the state of the Union; in recommending to their consideration such measures as he shall judge expedient; in convening them, or either branch, upon extraordinary occasions; in adjourning them when they cannot themselves agree upon the time of adjournment; in receiving ambassadors and other public ministers; in faithfully executing the laws; and in commissioning all the officers of the United States.
Federalist Papers Authored by Alexander Hamilton
"For," says Herbert to me, coming home to dinner on one of those special occasions, "I find the truth to be, Handel, that an opening won't come to one, but one must go to it - so I have been."
I established with myself on these occasions, the reputation of a first-rate man of business - prompt, decisive, energetic, clear, cool-headed.
Great Expectations
Then the Barnacles felt that they for their parts would have done with the Meagleses when the present patronising occasion was over; and the Meagleses felt the same for their parts.
The pleasantest part of the occasion by far, to Clennam, was the painfullest.
Little Dorrit
These thoughts took me up many hours, days, nay, I may say weeks and months: and one particular effect of my cogitations on this occasion I cannot omit.
I was at a strange loss to understand this, and resolved to spend some time in the observing it, to see if nothing from the sets of the tide had occasioned it; but I was presently convinced how it was - viz.
Robinson Crusoe
He told me further, that he would not cease to do all that became him, in his office as a priest, as well as a private Christian, to procure the good of the ship, and the safety of all that was in her; and though, perhaps, we would not join with him, and he could not pray with us, he hoped he might pray for us, which he would do upon all occasions. In this manner we conversed; and as he was of the most obliging, gentlemanlike behaviour, so he was, if I may be allowed to say so, a man of good sense, and, as I believe, of great learning.
But, sir, the essence of the sacrament of matrimony" (so he called it, being a Roman) "consists not only in the mutual consent of the parties to take one another as man and wife, but in the formal and legal obligation that there is in the contract to compel the man and woman, at all times, to own and acknowledge each other; obliging the man to abstain from all other women, to engage in no other contract while these subsist; and, on all occasions, as ability allows, to provide honestly for them and their children; and to oblige the women to the same or like conditions, on their side.
Further Adventures of Robinson Crusoe
"On the drunken occasion in question (one of a large number, as you know), I was insufferable about liking you, and not liking you.
Tale Of Two Cities
When we reached the rock that abruptly terminated the path, and concealed from us the festive scene, wild shouts and a confused blending of voices assured me that the occasion, whatever it might be, had drawn together a great multitude.
Typee
The other lady, having no other arguments to use, betook herself to the entreaties usual on such occasions, and begged her not to frighten herself, for it might be of very ill consequence to her own health; and, filling out a very large glass of wine, advised, and at last prevailed with her to drink it.
The History of Tom Jones a Foundling