Feelings are an important part of everyday life. We use words and expressions to describe how we feel, whether happy, sad, excited, or even angry. One interesting way to talk about feelings is by using idioms. Idioms are phrases that don’t mean exactly what they say but instead express feelings in creative ways. For example, when someone says they’re “on cloud nine,” it doesn’t mean they’re literally up in the sky, but that they are feeling very happy.
In this article, you’ll learn different idioms about feelings. These idioms can make conversations more colorful and fun. We will also look at how these idioms are used in real life, making it easier to understand and use them in your own conversations.
Idioms About Feelings
1. On Cloud Nine
Meaning: Feeling very happy or excited.
Example: After winning the game, I felt like I was on cloud nine. / She was on cloud nine when she got the best grade in class.
Put Differently: I was so happy, I felt like I was floating in the sky. / He was so excited, it felt like the best day ever.
2. Butterflies in My Stomach
Meaning: Feeling nervous or excited, usually before something important.
Example: I had butterflies in my stomach before giving my class presentation. / She felt butterflies in her stomach before the big test.
Put Differently: I was a little nervous, like my tummy was fluttering. / I felt a bit scared and excited at the same time.
3. Break-a-Leg
Meaning: A way to wish someone good luck, especially before a performance.
Example: Before the play, my friend said, “Break-a-leg!” / My teacher told me to break-a-leg before my speech.
Put Differently: Good luck! / I hope everything goes well for you.
4. Cry Over Spilled Milk
Meaning: To be upset about something that can’t be changed.
Example: There’s no reason to cry over spilled milk; we can clean it up. / She was sad for a while, but then she realized there’s no use crying over spilled milk.
Put Differently: Don’t be sad about something that happened. / It’s not worth being upset over things that can’t be fixed.
5. In a Pickle
Meaning: In a difficult or tricky situation.
Example: I was in a pickle when I forgot my homework at home. / We were in a pickle because we missed the bus.
Put Differently: I was stuck and didn’t know what to do. / We had a problem that was hard to fix.
6. Green with Envy
Meaning: Feeling jealous or wanting what someone else has.
Example: She was green with envy when she saw her friend’s new bike. / I was green with envy when my cousin got a new video game.
Put Differently: I wanted something that someone else had. / I felt jealous when I saw what they got.
7. A Piece of Cake
Meaning: Something that is very easy to do.
Example: The test was a piece of cake because I studied a lot. / The puzzle was a piece of cake to solve.
Put Differently: It was really easy for me. / I finished it without any trouble.
8. Feeling Under the Weather
Meaning: Not feeling well, usually sick.
Example: I was feeling under the weather and stayed home from school. / She was feeling under the weather, so she rested all day.
Put Differently: I wasn’t feeling good, so I stayed in bed. / I felt sick and had to take it easy.
9. Let the Cat Out of the Bag
Meaning: To accidentally reveal a secret.
Example: I let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party. / She let the cat out of the bag when she told him his gift.
Put Differently: I accidentally told the secret. / I gave away something we were supposed to keep quiet.
10. On the Same Page
Meaning: To agree or understand something in the same way.
Example: We’re all on the same page about what to do next in the project. / Let’s make sure we’re on the same page before we start the game.
Put Differently: We all understand it the same way. / We agree on what needs to be done.
11. Cold Feet
Meaning: Feeling nervous or scared, especially before doing something important.
Example: I got cold feet before going on stage for my speech. / She had cold feet before the dance recital.
Put Differently: I was feeling nervous and unsure. / I was scared and wanted to back out.
12. Hit the Nail on the Head
Meaning: To say or do something exactly right.
Example: You hit the nail on the head when you guessed the answer. / She hit the nail on the head when she figured out the problem.
Put Differently: You got it exactly right. / You made the perfect guess.
13. Walking on Air
Meaning: Feeling extremely happy or excited.
Example: I was walking on air after hearing I got the part in the play. / She felt like she was walking on air after winning the race.
Put Differently: I was so happy, I felt like I was floating. / I felt light and full of joy.
14. Crying Wolf
Meaning: To make a false alarm or complaint.
Example: He kept crying wolf about being sick, but he was fine. / She kept crying wolf about the homework, but it wasn’t that hard.
Put Differently: He kept pretending something was wrong. / She kept making up problems that weren’t real.
15. Over the Moon
Meaning: Feeling very happy and excited.
Example: I was over the moon when I found out I passed the test. / She was over the moon after her team won the game.
Put Differently: I was really happy. / She couldn’t stop smiling because she was so excited.
16. Jump for Joy
Meaning: To be very happy and excited.
Example: I jumped for joy when I saw my birthday presents. / She jumped for joy after hearing the good news.
Put Differently: I was so happy, I couldn’t stop jumping. / I felt so excited, I had to jump up and down.
17. A Bitter Pill to Swallow
Meaning: A difficult or unpleasant fact that you have to accept.
Example: Losing the game was a bitter pill to swallow. / It was a bitter pill to swallow when I found out I had to retake the test.
Put Differently: It was hard to accept, but I had to. / It wasn’t easy to deal with.
18. Under Your Nose
Meaning: Something that’s happening right in front of you but you don’t notice.
Example: The answer was under my nose the whole time, but I didn’t see it! / She had the key under her nose and didn’t realize it.
Put Differently: It was right there, but I missed it. / I didn’t notice what was in front of me.
19. A Shoulder to Cry On
Meaning: Someone who listens to your problems and comforts you.
Example: When I felt sad, my friend was a shoulder to cry on. / She was always there, offering a shoulder to cry on.
Put Differently: My friend listened and helped me feel better. / She was there to comfort me when I needed it.
20. On Thin Ice
Meaning: In a risky or dangerous situation.
Example: I was on thin ice when I didn’t finish my homework. / She was on thin ice because she broke the rules.
Put Differently: I was in trouble. / I was doing something risky.
21. Keep Your Chin Up
Meaning: Stay positive and keep going, even when things are tough.
Example: Even though I lost the game, I kept my chin up and tried again. / He kept his chin up when things weren’t going well at school.
Put Differently: Stay positive, no matter what happens. / Keep going even if things are hard.
22. In the Hot Seat
Meaning: Being in a difficult or uncomfortable situation.
Example: I was in the hot seat when I had to answer questions in front of the class. / He was in the hot seat when the teacher asked him to explain the math problem.
Put Differently: I was feeling nervous and uncomfortable. / He had to face a tough situation.
23. Pulling My Leg
Meaning: To joke or tease someone in a playful way.
Example: I thought he was serious about the surprise party, but he was just pulling my leg. / She was pulling my leg when she said she could fly.
Put Differently: He was joking around with me. / She was teasing me in a fun way.
24. A Heart of Gold
Meaning: A very kind and generous person.
Example: My grandmother has a heart of gold and always helps others. / He has a heart of gold because he volunteers at the shelter.
Put Differently: She is really kind and caring. / He always helps and is very generous.
25. A Roller Coaster of Emotions
Meaning: Going through many different feelings, often quickly.
Example: The day was a roller coaster of emotions from happy to sad. / The movie was a roller coaster of emotions, making me laugh and cry.
Put Differently: I felt a lot of different emotions in one day. / I went through a lot of feelings, back and forth.
26. Biting Your Nails
Meaning: Being nervous or anxious about something.
Example: I was biting my nails before the big test. / She kept biting her nails during the scary movie.
Put Differently: I was nervous and anxious. / She was worried about what would happen next.
27. A Tough Nut to Crack
Meaning: A person or problem that is hard to understand or solve.
Example: The math problem was a tough nut to crack, but I figured it out. / He’s a tough nut to crack, always keeping his thoughts to himself.
Put Differently: The problem was hard to solve. / He’s hard to understand.
28. Walking on Eggshells
Meaning: Being very careful not to upset someone.
Example: I was walking on eggshells around my friend after our argument. / She was walking on eggshells when her mom was in a bad mood.
Put Differently: I was trying not to say the wrong thing. / I was careful with my words because I didn’t want to upset anyone.
29. A Cold Fish
Meaning: Someone who is emotionally distant or hard to read.
Example: He seemed like a cold fish because he never smiled or spoke much./ She acted like a cold fish at the party, staying in the corner.
Put Differently: He was hard to talk to and didn’t show any emotions. / She seemed distant and didn’t join in.
30. Under the Moon
Meaning: In a happy or relaxed mood.
Example: After the party, I was under the moon, feeling peaceful. / She felt under the moon after spending the day with her friends.
Put Differently: I was in a happy mood. / She felt relaxed and calm.
31. All in the Same Boat
Meaning: Everyone is in the same difficult situation.
Example: We’re all in the same boat; we need to finish the project by tomorrow. / After the storm, we were all in the same boat, waiting for help.
Put Differently: We’re all dealing with the same problem. / We all have to work together because we’re facing the same challenge.
32. A Roller Coaster of Emotions
Meaning: Experiencing many emotions in a short period of time.
Example: My day was a roller coaster of emotions when I got a good grade but then lost my phone. / The movie was a roller coaster of emotions, making me laugh and cry.
Put Differently: I had many different feelings in one day. / I felt all sorts of emotions very quickly.
33. A Shoulder to Cry On
Meaning: Someone who is kind and supportive when you are upset.
Example: After the fight with my friend, I went to my sister for a shoulder to cry on. / He’s always there to be a shoulder to cry on whenever I need help.
Put Differently: She’s always ready to comfort me when I feel sad. / He listens and makes me feel better when I’m upset.
34. In the Doghouse
Meaning: In trouble or disfavor with someone.
Example: I was in the doghouse after forgetting my mom’s birthday. / He was in the doghouse because he broke the vase.
Put Differently: I was in trouble because I made a mistake. / He was in trouble for doing something wrong.
35. Full of Hot Air
Meaning: Talking a lot without saying anything important or true.
Example: He’s always full of hot air, claiming he can do things he can’t. / She was full of hot air when she said she could run a marathon.
Put Differently: He talks too much but doesn’t say anything real. / She’s always making big promises she can’t keep.
36. A Soft Spot for Someone
Meaning: To feel affection or a special liking for someone.
Example: My mom has a soft spot for puppies, so we have three at home. / He has a soft spot for his little sister and always helps her.
Put Differently: She really loves puppies and can’t resist them. / He is very kind and protective of his sister.
37. A Bitter Pill to Swallow
Meaning: Something difficult or unpleasant that you have to accept.
Example: Losing the game was a bitter pill to swallow, but I learned from it. / Not getting into the team was a bitter pill to swallow.
Put Differently: It was hard to accept, but I had to. / I didn’t like it, but I knew it had to happen.
38. A Breath of Fresh Air
Meaning: Something or someone new and refreshing, often in a good way.
Example: She’s a breath of fresh air in class with her positive attitude. / The new teacher was a breath of fresh air with her fun lessons.
Put Differently: She made everything feel more exciting and happy. / The new teacher brought something new and exciting.
39. A Knock on the Head
Meaning: To learn or realize something suddenly.
Example: It was a knock on the head when I figured out the answer to the problem. / It was a knock on the head when I finally understood the lesson.
Put Differently: I suddenly understood what I was missing. / It hit me, and I got it right away.
40. The Last Straw
Meaning: The final problem or event that makes someone give up.
Example: Missing the bus was the last straw, so I decided to walk home. / After arguing with my friend, that was the last straw, and I felt upset.
Put Differently: That was the final thing that made me give up. / I couldn’t take any more after that last problem.
“Rewrite the Sentence” Activity Using Idioms about Feelings
Below are 10 simple sentences that describe feelings or situations. These sentences do not use idioms. Your task is to rewrite each sentence using one of the idioms about feelings that you have learned. Make sure the new sentence still makes sense and sounds natural.
Sentences to Rewrite
- I feel so happy because I got the best grade in the class.
- I was nervous before I gave my presentation.
- I was so excited when I found out I got the role in the school play.
- I was sad when I couldn’t find my favorite toy.
- My friend made me feel much better when I was upset.
- I felt a little bit scared before my big test.
- I was very proud when I finished my science project on time.
- I can’t stop thinking about the fun I had at the amusement park.
- I feel really good when I help my little brother with his homework.
- I was frustrated when I didn’t get the answer to the math problem right.
Answer Key
- I was over the moon because I got the best grade in the class.
- I had butterflies in my stomach before I gave my presentation.
- I was walking on air when I found out I got the role in the school play.
- I was crying over spilled milk when I couldn’t find my favorite toy.
- My friend was a shoulder to cry on when I was upset.
- I had cold feet before my big test.
- I stood there as proud as a peacock when I finished my science project on time.
- I had soccer on the brain after the fun I had at the amusement park.
- I feel like a superhero in action when I help my little brother with his homework.
- I was in a pickle when I didn’t get the answer to the math problem right.
Conclusion
In this article, we’ve learned how idioms can make the way we talk about feelings more fun and interesting. Instead of just saying “I’m happy” or “I’m nervous,” we can use creative expressions like “I’m on cloud nine” or “I had butterflies in my stomach” to make our feelings sound more colorful.
Idioms also help us express ourselves in a way that’s easy for others to understand. By practicing these phrases, we can become better at speaking and writing in a way that feels natural and expressive. Keep practicing and soon you’ll be able to use these idioms in conversations without even thinking about it!
