What are the most common idioms and phrases for describing feelings? How should we use them in our conversation? Stay with us in this article to get the answers to these questions!
One of the most important aspects of our daily conversation is describing our feelings. We might feel sad, surprised, angry, happy, or exhausted. However, it does not seem natural to always use these adjectives for showing our emotions. In this lesson, we are going to learn some idioms which can be used alternatively for expressing your feelings beautifully.
What is the idiom for feeling sad? | Sadness phrases in English
feel low/blue / out of sorts: not feel very strong emotionally; feel a little depressed
Example: After the exam John felt blue because he thought he will fail the test.
have a lump in your throat: feel like you are about to cry
Example: After their team lost the game Liverpool’s fans had a lump in their throat
be cut up about something/somebody: be very upset about something/somebody
Example: He was very cut up about his grandmother’s death.
Sadness expressions
Down in the Dumps: Feeling very low.
Example: He’s been down in the dumps since losing his job.
Feel Blue: Slightly depressed.
Example: She’s been feeling blue since her friend moved away.
Cry Your Heart Out: Cry intensely.
Example: She cried her heart out after her pet passed.
Heavy-Hearted: Filled with sorrow.
Example: He felt heavy-hearted saying goodbye.
Mope Around: Move sluggishly due to sadness.
He’s been moping around since the breakup.
What are the idioms for surprise ? | Phrases for surprise
Lets learn more about idioms and phrases for describing feelings in this section:
To do a double-take: to check something back quickly after your first look
Example: He glanced at her, then did a double take
Out of the blue: without warning; unexpectedly
Example: We were camping in a beautiful location. It started raining out of the blue. (Refer to the video colorful expressions)
Learn more: What are the idioms with colors in English?
Happiness idioms and phrases
On cloud nine: to feel extremely happy.
Example: When he finally proposed to her, she was on cloud nine.
Grin from ear to ear: to be so excited about good news you have gotten or an important life event you are going to experience.
Example: He was grinning from ear to ear so we knew he had good news to tell us.
In Good Spirits / In High Spirits: to be in a particularly energetic and lively mood.
Example: All the children were in high spirits on the last day of school.
To be thrilled to bits: to be really happy or excited about something
Example: He was thrilled to bits because he got 8 on the IELTS test.
Now let’s use some of the mentioned idioms and phrases for describing feelings in a conversation:
A: Have you seen Adam recently?
B: Yes. I met him last night at the party. He was in a good spirit.
A: Really? I thought he might feel blue. He broke up with Jenny a month ago.
B: You don’t know him?? He immediately found another partner! He is on cloud nine these days!
A: Really? He had a lump in his throat for some days.
B: Yes. But he was thrilled to bits and danced with his partner all night. In the end, he proposed to her out of the blue. We were all shocked! We did a double take but we were right! He had a ring in his hand while he was bending a knee!
Happiness expressions
On Cloud Nine: Extremely happy.
Example: She was on cloud nine after landing her dream job.
Over the Moon: Very joyful.
Example: He was over the moon after winning the contest.
In high spirits: Cheerful and lively.
Example: Everyone was in high spirits at the holiday party.
Walking on air: Feeling ecstatic.
Example: She was walking on air after passing her exams.
Jump for Joy: Overcome with happiness.
Example: She wanted to jump for joy at the great news.
Learn more: Read the article about the idioms about cats
Excitement expressions
On the edge of your seat: Full of anticipation.
Example: The match was so intense—I was on the edge of my seat.
Get a kick out of something: Greatly enjoy something.
Example: She gets a kick out of extreme sports.
Like a kid in a candy store: Extremely excited.
Example: He was like a kid in a candy store at the tech expo.
Raring to go: Eager to begin.
Example: I’m raring to start decorating the new room.
Thrilled to bits: Absolutely delighted.
Example: He was thrilled to bits with his birthday surprise.
Anger idioms and phrases
Bent out of shape: to feel very annoyed or angry.
Example: Jack got bent out of shape because his flight was canceled
To blow the fuse/To lose your temper: to become angry extremely and suddenly
Example: My father blew the fuse when that boy broke our window with a ball.
Fly off handle: lose one’s temper suddenly and unexpectedly
Example: Stop playing a joke on Jack. He flies off the handle easily
Learn more: What are the idioms about people’s appearance ?
Anger expressions
Blow a fuse: Lose your temper quickly.
Example: He blew a fuse when he saw the mess.
See red: Become very angry.
Example: She saw red after her car got scratched.
Hit the roof: Sudden explosive anger.
Example: My boss hit the roof when I missed the deadline.
Get worked up: Gradually become upset or angry.
Example: She got worked up over a misunderstanding.
Fly off the handle: Suddenly lose control of emotions.
Example: He flew off the handle when accused of lying.
Exhaustion idioms and phrases
To be worn out: to feel completely tired
Example: She was totally worn out after that long test.
To be dead tired: Very tired; completely exhausted.
Example: He was dead tired after working 20 hours without taking a rest for a minute!
Fed up: to feel really frustrated about something and no longer want to deal with it
Example: I’ve had a terrible day at work and I’m feeling completely fed up!
Isn’t the time to put these idioms into practice?! So, let’s do it!
A: I am really fed up with working in this company! We work for long hours and are paid so low.
B: I am worn out as well. The boss also behaves us so badly. He blows the fuse for unimportant issues.
A: Yes! Last week when I was dead tired after 10 hours of work he expected me to stay even more. I did not accept and he got bent out of shape.
B: I think we should leave this work.
Fear or nervousness expressions
Break out in a cold sweat: Feel anxious and sweaty.
Example: She broke out in a cold sweat before the test.
Scare the living daylights out of: Terrify someone.
Example: The loud bang scared the living daylights out of her.
Send shivers down your spine: Give someone a fright or eerie feeling.
Example: The silence sent shivers down my spine.
Make your blood run cold: Cause extreme fear.
Example: The horror film made my blood run cold.
Jump out of your skin: Get startled.
Example: I jumped out of my skin when the dog barked.
Idioms and expressions make your language sound more natural, colorful, and expressive. You don’t need to use them all the time, but understanding them will help you better follow native speakers in movies, shows, or real life. Watch the following video, in order to review the expressions mentioned in this article:
