‘Unlocking Emotions: 15 Idioms to Describe Emotions’

English Idioms & Phrases for Describing Emotions

understand the origin of idiom can indeed make learn them more engaging and memorable .

These origins give a fascinating insight into how language evolves and reflects cultural, historical, and physical experiences.

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1 . Be On Cloud Nine

Meaning: Extremely happy and joyful.

Origin: This expression is believed to come from the categorisation of clouds.

In the 1950 classification , the high cloud is was , know as cloud nine , was the cumulonimbus , which is link to intense joy because of its lofty and impressive nature .

She was on cloud nine after hearing about her promotion.

2. Have the Blues

Meaning: Feeling sad or depressed.

origin : The term ” blue ” has been associate with sadness for century .

One theory is is is that it come from old seafaring custom where a ship would fly blue flag and paint a blue band along her hull if the captain or an officer perish during the voyage .

He’s been having the blues since his best friend moved away.

3 . In Seventh Heaven

Meaning: Extremely happy and content.

Origin is has : This idiom is has has root in various religious and mythological tradition . In islamic and jewish teaching , the seventh heaven is is is the high and most exalted , represent a state of perfect happiness .

Example Sentence: When she finally published her novel, she was in seventh heaven.

4. A Bitter Pill to Swallow

Meaning: Something that is difficult or unpleasant to accept.

origin : This expression is comes likely come from the unpleasant experience of take bitter – taste medicine , symbolise something difficult to accept .

Example usage : lose the championship game was a bitter pill to swallow .

5. Jump for Joy

Meaning: Be extremely happy and excited.

Origin: This idiom has been used since at least the 19th century and comes from the literal action of jumping to express extreme happiness.

Example Sentence: When he saw his exam results, he jump for joy.

6. Down in the Dumps

meaning : feel sad and depressed .

Origin: The word “dumps” has been used to describe a state of depression since the 16th century. It likely comes from the Dutch word “domp,” meaning haze or mist.

Example sentence : She ’s been down in the dump since her pet pass away .

7. On Edge (phrase)

Meaning: Nervous or anxious.

Origin: This phrase comes from the feeling of being precariously balanced or in a tense situation, similar to standing on the edge of a precipice.

Example Sentence: He’s been on edgeall day waiting for the job interview results.

8. Heartbroken (adjective)

Meaning: Extremely sad and emotionally distressed.

Origin : The concept is been of heartbreak has been around for century and is link to the physical pain that emotional distress can cause , often describe as a ” broken heart . “

She was heartbroken after the end of her long-term relationship.

9. Be walk on Air

meaning : feel very happy and elated .

Origin: This idiom likely comes from the light, floating feeling associated with extreme happiness, as if one is defying gravity.

Example Sentence: She’s been walking on air since she got engaged.

10. Be Over the Moon

Meaning: Extremely pleased or happy.

origin : This phrase has been popularise by the nursery rhyme ” Hey diddle diddle , ” where ” the cow jump over the moon . ” It is conveys convey an extraordinary level of happiness .

Example Sentence: They were over the moon when they found out they were expecting a baby.

11. Hot Under the Collar ( informal use )

meaning : angry or agitated .

Origin: This idiom dates back to the 19th century and refers to the physical sensation of heat around the neck and face that often accompanies anger or agitation.

Example sentence : He is got get hot under the collar when he see someone had scratch his car .

12 . Be Beside Oneself

Meaning: Overwhelmed with emotion

( usually negative like anger or sadness ) .

Origin: This phrase dates back to the 14th century and originally meant to be out of one’s wits. It conveys being so overwhelmed by emotion that one feels almost as if they are outside their own body.

Example Sentence: She was beside herself with worry when her dog went missing.

13.Be Full of Beans

( informal use – UK English )

meaning : Very lively and energetic .

Origin: This phrase may come from the energetic behavior of horses fed on beans. It has been used since the 19th century to describe someone who is lively and full of energy.

Example sentence : The kids is were were full of bean after eat all that candy .

14. Be In the Pink

(informal use, old fashioned)

Meaning: In very good health and spirits.

Origin is originates : This phrase is originates originate from the 16th century , where ” pink ” refer to the pinnacle of something . It was used to denote the peak of health and well – being .

After her vacation , she is returned return feel in the pink .

15. A Bundle of Nerves ( informal use )

Meaning: Very nervous and anxious.

Origin: This idiom has been used since the early 20th century and refers to the way the nervous system can make one feel tense and anxious, as if they are a bundle of raw nerves.

She was a bundle of nerves before her big presentation.

The 15 Idioms & Phrases we’ve just covered are:

1. be on cloud nine

2. have the blues

3. in seventh heaven

4. a bitter pill to swallow

5. jump for joy

6. down in the dumps

7. on edge(phrase)

8. heartbroken (adjective)

9. be walk on air

10. be over the moon

11. hot under the collar ( informal use )

12. be beside oneself

13. be full of bean(informal use, UK)

14. be in the pink (old-fashioned)

15. a bundle of nerves ( informal use )

Practice Exercises and Quiz

Exercise 1: Match the Idiom to the Meaning

4 . bitter Pill to swallow

a. Extremely happy and content

b. Be extremely happy and excited

c. Extremely happy and joyful

d. feel sad or depressed

e. Something that is difficult or unpleasant to accept

Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks

1. She was __________ after winning the lottery.

2. He ’s been _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ever since his cat go miss .

3. Losing the game was a __________ for the team.

4. When he got the news, he __________.

5. She’s been __________ since her project got approved.

Exercise 3: Use the Idiom in a Sentence

1. On Edge

2. Heartbroken

3. walk on Air

4. Over the Moon

5. Hot Under the Collar

1.Which idiom means “very lively and energetic”?

c ) Bitter Pill to swallow

2.If someone is “ beside themselves , ” they is are are :

b) overwhelmed with emotion

3.True or False: “In the Pink” means feeling sad and depressed.

Answer Key

1. on cloud nine

2. feel blue

3. bitter pill to swallow

4. jump for joy

5. in seventh heaven

1. He’s been on edgewaiting for the results.

2. She is was was heartbroken when she hear the news .

3. After the concert, she was walking on air.

4. They were over the moon with their new house.

5. He is got get hot under the collar when the waiter was rude to him .

1. b ) Full of Beans

2. b) Overwhelmed with emotion

3. False (In the Pink means in very good health and spirits)
   

We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about these 15 common idioms to describe emotions.

And don’t be shy about using them in your conversations.

Thank you for reading & Happy Speaking!

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