English idioms for Emotions

Today, we're studying five emotion idioms that'll help you express feelings from joy to frustration with fluency...

Hayley Morris English Teacher at i-Speak English

Found and Head Teacher

Idioms and Slang

Idioms breathe life into the mundane, adding spice and depth to our daily conversation. Today, we're studying five emotion idioms that'll help you express feelings from joy to frustration with fluency. Let’s boost your English vocabulary and discover the beauty behind these idiomatic expressions!

Why Bother with Emotion Idioms?

Idioms provide a unique window into the cultural subtleties of a language, offering creative and memorable ways to express complex emotions. They help you connect with others on a deeper level and can be particularly useful in storytelling, creative writing, or just making your everyday conversations more engaging and empathetic.

Now, let’s unwrap these emotional idioms, explore their meanings, and see how to use them in real-life contexts!

Idiom 1: Be Over the Moon

Meaning: To be extremely pleased or happy.

Origin: This idiom likely comes from the old nursery rhyme that describes the cow jumping over the moon, symbolizing an impossible or fantastical feat—much like the heights of one’s happiness when using this expression.

Examples in Context:

I was over the moon when I found out I passed my Cambridge exam with flying colors.

She’s been over the moon ever since she got engaged.

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Learn these idioms in more detail on my Youtube Channel!

Idiom 2: Cry Over Spilt Milk

Meaning: To be upset about something that has already happened and cannot be changed.

Origin: This idiom’s visual metaphor is straightforward—imagining someone crying about milk that has already been spilled and can't be recovered, emphasizing the futility of regret over past actions.

Examples in Context:

There’s no use crying over spilt milk. We just need to learn from our mistakes and move forward.

He knows he messed up the presentation, but there's no point in crying over spilt milk now.

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Idiom 3: Blow Off Steam

Meaning: To release pent-up energy or strong emotions.

Origin: This phrase originates from the steam engine era when excess steam had to be released to avoid engine explosions. It’s now used to describe releasing emotional tension in a similar 'venting' manner.

Examples in Context:

After a stressful week at work, I like to blow off steam by going for a long run.

Sometimes, you just need to talk to a friend to blow off steam and feel better.

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RELATED: 50 ENGLISH IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS VIDEO COURSE

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4. Get Cold Feet

Meaning: To suddenly become too fearful to undertake or complete an action, often referring to backing out of a commitment.

Origin: The phrase might originate from the sensation of having cold feet as a physical manifestation of fear or nervousness, which then metaphorically applies to hesitating or retreating from a decision.

Examples in Context:

He was excited about the move to New York, but got cold feet at the last minute.

Many people get cold feet right before their wedding, which is completely normal.

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5. Blow a Fuse

Meaning: To lose one's temper suddenly and dramatically.

Origin: This idiom derives from electrical circuits where a fuse would "blow" or burn out when overloaded, causing the power to go out. It metaphorically equates to a person’s temper 'blowing' under pressure.

Examples in Context:

She blew a fuse when she saw the mess the kids had made in the kitchen.

My boss tends to blow a fuse over small mistakes, which makes the office environment quite tense.

Why These Idioms Are a Must-Know

Using idioms like these not only enriches your English language skills but also makes you a better storyteller and communicator. They allow you to express a range of emotions in a way that straightforward language sometimes can’t capture. Whether you’re ecstatic, regretful, frustrated, nervous, or downright angry, there’s an idiom to help you convey that feeling in a colorful, relatable way.

So, next time you’re feeling emotionally charged, remember these idioms. They’re your tools for building bridges of understanding or simply making your speech as colorful as your feelings. Keep practicing, and you’ll be expressing your emotions like a native speaker in no time. Happy learning!

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