Feelings & Moods — Idioms
Big feelings in natural American — joy, nerves, anger, and calm. · 10 idioms · Level B1
over the moon
Meaning: extremely happy
informal good news, celebrations
Example: She was over the moon about the acceptance letter.
A You got the job?!
B I'm over the moon!
⚠️ Common mistake: Over the moon ABOUT something: over the moon about the results.
down in the dumps
Meaning: feeling sad and discouraged
informal comforting friends, moods
Example: He's been down in the dumps since the breakup.
A She's down in the dumps today.
B Let's take her out for ice cream.
⚠️ Common mistake: Down in the dumps — the dumps are a sad, low place. Gentle, friendly phrase.
on cloud nine
Meaning: extremely happy and dreamy
informal love, success, happiness
Example: After the wedding, they were on cloud nine for weeks.
A He's been on cloud nine since the baby came.
B Pure joy, that man.
⚠️ Common mistake: Cloud NINE — not seven (that's 'seventh heaven', a different phrase).
butterflies in your stomach
Meaning: a nervous, fluttering feeling in your stomach
neutral interviews, dates, stages
Example: I always get butterflies in my stomach before a presentation.
A Butterflies in your stomach?
B Every time before I go on stage.
⚠️ Common mistake: The possessive moves: butterflies in MY stomach, in HER stomach. The butterflies stay plural.
cool as a cucumber
Meaning: very calm, even under pressure
informal praising calm people
Example: The pilot stayed cool as a cucumber during the emergency.
A How is she so calm?
B Cool as a cucumber. Nothing shakes her.
⚠️ Common mistake: Cool as A cucumber — one cucumber, with the article. Similes need their 'as…as' frame.
hot under the collar
Meaning: embarrassed or angry and uncomfortable
informal work, embarrassment
Example: The manager got hot under the collar when clients complained.
A He got hot under the collar at the question.
B It touched a nerve, clearly.
⚠️ Common mistake: Hot under the collar = flustered (embarrassed/angry), never about real temperature.
wear your heart on your sleeve
Meaning: to show your feelings openly
neutral describing personalities
Example: She wears her heart on her sleeve — you always know how she feels.
A He wears his heart on his sleeve.
B That's why everyone trusts him.
⚠️ Common mistake: Wear your heart on your SLEEVE (shirt arm), not 'on your hand'. The heart sits outside, visible to all.
a shoulder to cry on
Meaning: someone who listens and comforts you
neutral friendship, hard times
Example: Everyone needs a shoulder to cry on sometimes.
A Thanks for being a shoulder to cry on.
B Anytime. That's what friends are for.
⚠️ Common mistake: A shoulder to cry ON — the crying happens on the shoulder. Don't drop the 'on'.
beside yourself
Meaning: overwhelmed by strong emotion (worry, anger, joy)
neutral strong emotions, stories
Example: She was beside herself with worry when the dog disappeared.
A He was beside himself with joy.
B Twins! Can you imagine?
⚠️ Common mistake: Beside yourself WITH worry/joy/grief — the emotion completes the phrase.
walking on air
Meaning: feeling extremely happy and light
informal great news, love
Example: After the results, he was walking on air all day.
A She's walking on air today.
B The scholarship letter arrived!
⚠️ Common mistake: Walking on air — happiness so light you float. Lovely after exams, proposals, wins.
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