Idioms about Emotions

Definition: extremely happy

Example: “She was over the moon about her result.”

Forms: fixed adjective phrase; be over the moon

Synonyms: delighted, thrilled

Definition: It has been a very long time.

Example: “It's been ages since we last met! How have you been?”

Definition: Helping others often leads to negative consequences for the helper.

Example: “I volunteered to organize the event and now I'm stuck with all the cleanup. No good deed goes unpunished!”

Definition: Used to express pride in something you have done.

Example: “That was a pretty good presentation, if I do say so myself.”

Definition: Born to parents who are not married.

Example: “In the past, children born out of wedlock faced social stigma.”

Definition: A very gentle and harmless person.

Example: “Don't be afraid of him; he wouldn't hurt a fly.”

Definition: A dismissive expression of defiance or contempt (slang).

Example: “You want me to work overtime again? Eat my shorts!”

Definition: Criticizing someone for a fault you also have.

Example: “You're calling me lazy? That's the pot calling the kettle black!”

Definition: A misunderstanding or miscommunication.

Example: “We had crossed wires about the meeting time, so I arrived an hour late.”

Definition: Wednesday, the middle of the work week.

Example: “Happy hump day! We're halfway through the week.”

Definition: A phrase about mortality, often used at funerals.

Example: “The pastor said "ashes to ashes, dust to dust" as they lowered the casket.”

Definition: Acting as if you are morally superior to others.

Example: “I can't stand her holier-than-thou attitude about organic food.”

Definition: Unpredictable; sometimes successful and sometimes not.

Example: “The restaurant is hit or miss-sometimes great, sometimes disappointing.”

Definition: In various directions; here and there.

Example: “The children were running hither and thither in the playground.”

Definition: Very tired or exhausted (British slang).

Example: “After that 10-mile hike, I'm absolutely knackered.”

Definition: Excitement, energy, or sex appeal.

Example: “That red dress has real va va voom!”

Definition: A day when students skip school.

Example: “Senior ditch day is a tradition at many high schools.”

Definition: Someone who speaks honestly and directly.

Example: “I trust her advice because she's a straight shooter.”

Definition: Unable to get any luck or relief from problems.

Example: “First my car broke down, then I got sick. I just can't catch a break!”

Definition: To avoid attracting attention to yourself.

Example: “After the scandal, he decided to keep a low profile for a while.”

Definition: Savings set aside for the future.

Example: “They've been building a nest egg for their retirement.”

Definition: Two things that go perfectly together.

Example: “Those two are like peanut butter and jelly-inseparable!”

Definition: Stop wasting time on unimportant things (British slang).

Example: “Stop faffing around and get your work done!”

Definition: Acknowledge someone's contribution or achievement.

Example: “I don't like him personally, but I have to give credit where credit is due-he did a great job.”

Definition: Very quickly; instantly.

Example: “If they offered me that job, I'd take it in a New York minute!”

Definition: To discuss something seriously and directly.

Example: “Enough small talk-let's talk turkey about the contract.”

Definition: Destined to happen; fated.

Example: “They met by chance, but their love was written in the stars.”

Definition: To compromise one's values for personal gain.

Example: “Taking that job felt like making a deal with the devil.”

Definition: Nonsense or deceptive talk; a con.

Example: “Don't fall for his flimflam-he's just trying to scam you.”

Definition: Someone who talks big but doesn't back it up with action.

Example: “He brags about his business skills, but he's all hat and no cattle.”

Definition: A situation that has a good outcome is satisfactory, regardless of difficulties.

Example: “We missed our flight but got upgraded on the next one. All's well that ends well!”

Definition: A person's closest living relative(s).

Example: “Please list your next of kin on the emergency contact form.”

Definition: Done quickly and easily (British slang).

Example: “I'll fix that for you-bish bash bosh-done!”

Definition: A clumsy person in a delicate situation.

Example: “He was like a bull in a china shop during the delicate negotiations.”

Definition: To have heard something from a secret source.

Example: “A little bird told me it's your birthday tomorrow.”

Definition: To be unable to sit still.

Example: “The kids have ants in their pants today; they can't wait for the party.”

Definition: A question asked when someone is unusually quiet.

Example: “You've been silent all evening. Cat got your tongue?”

Definition: To raise a false alarm, with the result that a real alarm is ignored.

Example: “He has cried wolf so many times that no one believes him when he's actually in trouble.”

Definition: Being too inquisitive can lead to trouble.

Example: “I know you want to know what's in the box, but remember, curiosity killed the cat.”

Definition: To be in an unfamiliar and uncomfortable situation.

Example: “As a country boy, he felt like a fish out of water in the big city.”

Definition: To do something pointless or futile.

Example: “I went on a wild goose chase trying to find that rare book.”

Definition: To wait a moment; to not be so impatient.

Example: “Hold your horses! We're not ready to leave yet.”

Definition: To achieve two aims at once.

Example: “I can kill two birds with one stone by listening to an English podcast while I exercise.”

Definition: To avoid restarting a conflict.

Example: “I wanted to ask him about the argument, but I decided to let sleeping dogs lie.”

Definition: To accidentally reveal a secret.

Example: “He let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.”

Definition: A major problem or controversial issue that is obviously present but avoided as a subject for discussion.

Example: “His gambling problem was the elephant in the room at the family dinner.”

Definition: The largest portion of something.

Example: “As the lead investor, he took the lion's share of the profits.”

Definition: Something that will never happen.

Example: “He'll clean his room when pigs fly.”

Definition: Fully listening; attentive.

Example: “Tell me about your trip, I'm all ears.”

Definition: To stop yourself from saying something you want to say.

Example: “I had to bite my tongue to keep from criticizing his plan.”

Definition: Good luck! (often said to actors before a performance).

Example: “You have a big performance tonight? Break a leg!”

Definition: Just barely succeeding.

Example: “He passed the exam by the skin of his teeth.”

Definition: A first step toward getting or doing something.

Example: “This internship could be my foot in the door at a great company.”

Definition: To become nervous about a big event and reconsider it.

Example: “The groom got cold feet the day before the wedding.”

Definition: To talk about something that has been bothering you.

Example: “He felt much better after getting the problem off his chest.”

Definition: To ignore someone deliberately.

Example: “After our argument, she gave me the cold shoulder for a week.”

Definition: To change your opinion or the way you feel about something.

Example: “I was going to sell my car, but I had a change of heart.”

Definition: Deeply in love.

Example: “They are head over heels for each other.”

Definition: To watch or take care of something or someone.

Example: “Can you keep an eye on my bag for a minute?”

Definition: To decide how to deal with a situation as it develops.

Example: “We don't have a set schedule, we'll just play it by ear.”

Definition: To joke with someone; to tease them.

Example: “Don't worry, I'm just pulling your leg. I didn't actually break your camera.”

Definition: A broadly accurate guide or principle, based on practice rather than theory.

Example: “As a rule of thumb, you should add the pasta to boiling water.”

Definition: A good thing that seemed bad at first.

Example: “Losing that job was a blessing in disguise; I found a much better one.”

Definition: To seem angry all the time because you think you have been treated unfairly.

Example: “He has a chip on his shoulder about not going to college.”

Definition: Sad or depressed.

Example: “She's been down in the dumps ever since she lost her job.”

Definition: To accept responsibility for something you have done.

Example: “After crashing his dad's car, he had to go home and face the music.”

Definition: To be unsure how you feel about something.

Example: “I have mixed feelings about moving to a new city.”

Definition: To be daydreaming and not paying attention.

Example: “He has his head in the clouds if he thinks he can pass the exam without studying.”

Definition: To be extremely happy.

Example: “She jumped for joy when she heard the good news.”

Definition: To be extremely happy and joyful.

Example: “She has been on cloud nine since she got engaged.”

Definition: Rescued from a difficult situation at the very last moment.

Example: “I was about to give a wrong answer, but the fire alarm rang. I was saved by the bell!”

Definition: To feel ill or sick.

Example: “I'm feeling a bit under the weather today, so I'm staying home.”

Definition: A very determined and resilient person.

Example: “She went through a lot, but she's a tough cookie.”

Definition: A person that is adored by someone.

Example: “His youngest daughter is the apple of his eye.”

Definition: To be very calm, especially under pressure.

Example: “She was as cool as a cucumber during her job interview.”