29 Idioms for Emotions

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Emotions shape our experiences, and idioms help express them in a colorful way. Whether it’s happiness, sadness, anger, or fear, these idioms bring emotions to life with vivid imagery.

1. Wear One’s Heart on One’s Sleeve

Meaning: To openly show emotions.
Example: “She wears her heart on her sleeve, so you always know how she feels.”
Tone: Honest, vulnerable.
Other ways to say it: Show feelings openly, be transparent.

2. Cry Over Spilled Milk

Meaning: To be upset over something that cannot be changed.
Example: “There’s no use crying over spilled milk; let’s find a solution.”
Tone: Reassuring, practical.
Other ways to say it: Let it go, move on.

3. Blow a Fuse

Meaning: To become extremely angry.
Example: “He blew a fuse when he saw the mess in the kitchen.”
Tone: Intense, furious.
Other ways to say it: Lose temper, see red.

4. Green with Envy

Meaning: Feeling very jealous.
Example: “She was green with envy when she saw her friend’s new car.”
Tone: Resentful, envious.
Other ways to say it: Jealous, covetous.

5. Jump for Joy

Meaning: To be extremely happy.
Example: “She jumped for joy when she got accepted into her dream college.”
Tone: Exuberant, cheerful.
Other ways to say it: Be thrilled, rejoice.

6. Cry One’s Eyes Out

Meaning: To cry a lot.
Example: “She cried her eyes out after watching the sad movie.”
Tone: Emotional, sorrowful.
Other ways to say it: Weep, sob uncontrollably.

7. At the End of One’s Rope

Meaning: Feeling completely exhausted or frustrated.
Example: “I’m at the end of my rope with this stressful job.”
Tone: Frustrated, desperate.
Other ways to say it: Fed up, exhausted.

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8. Bite Someone’s Head Off

Meaning: To respond angrily or sharply.
Example: “I just asked a question, no need to bite my head off!”
Tone: Irritated, defensive.
Other ways to say it: Snap at someone, lash out.

9. All Choked Up

Meaning: Overwhelmed with emotion.
Example: “She was all choked up during the farewell speech.”
Tone: Emotional, sentimental.
Other ways to say it: Tearful, lost for words.

10. Carry the Weight of the World on One’s Shoulders

Meaning: To feel burdened by heavy responsibilities.
Example: “He looks like he’s carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.”
Tone: Overwhelmed, stressed.
Other ways to say it: Burdened, under pressure.

11. Hot Under the Collar

Meaning: Feeling angry or irritated.
Example: “He got hot under the collar when they accused him unfairly.”
Tone: Annoyed, offended.
Other ways to say it: Flustered, agitated.

12. Heart in One’s Mouth

Meaning: Feeling extreme fear or anxiety.
Example: “My heart was in my mouth during the horror movie.”
Tone: Nervous, scared.
Other ways to say it: Anxious, tense.

13. Down in the Dumps

Meaning: Feeling very sad or depressed.
Example: “He’s been down in the dumps since his breakup.”
Tone: Gloomy, melancholic.
Other ways to say it: Blue, feeling low.

14. On Cloud Nine

Meaning: Extremely happy.
Example: “She was on cloud nine after her wedding.”
Tone: Joyful, celebratory.
Other ways to say it: Over the moon, euphoric.

15. Keep One’s Cool

Meaning: To stay calm under pressure.
Example: “She kept her cool during the argument.”
Tone: Collected, composed.
Other ways to say it: Stay calm, remain level-headed.

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16. A Lump in One’s Throat

Meaning: Feeling so emotional that one can’t speak.
Example: “I had a lump in my throat during the farewell speech.”
Tone: Sentimental, tearful.
Other ways to say it: Choked up, emotional.

17. Blown Away

Meaning: Completely amazed or shocked.
Example: “I was blown away by the breathtaking view.”
Tone: Awe-struck, amazed.
Other ways to say it: Astounded, speechless.

18. Make One’s Blood Boil

Meaning: To make someone very angry.
Example: “His rude behavior made my blood boil.”
Tone: Furious, outraged.
Other ways to say it: Infuriate, enrage.

19. Grin from Ear to Ear

Meaning: Smile very broadly.
Example: “She was grinning from ear to ear after getting the promotion.”
Tone: Happy, excited.
Other ways to say it: Beaming, glowing with happiness.

20. Give Someone Butterflies

Meaning: To make someone feel nervous excitement.
Example: “He still gives me butterflies after all these years.”
Tone: Romantic, excited.
Other ways to say it: Feel giddy, nervous excitement.

21. Shake Like a Leaf

Meaning: Tremble from fear or nervousness.
Example: “He was shaking like a leaf before the big presentation.”
Tone: Anxious, frightened.
Other ways to say it: Tremble, be jittery.

22. Have a Heavy Heart

Meaning: Feel deep sadness.
Example: “With a heavy heart, she said goodbye to her childhood home.”
Tone: Sorrowful, regretful.
Other ways to say it: Feel downcast, be heartbroken.

23. Blow One’s Top

Meaning: Lose temper suddenly.
Example: “He blew his top when he found out the truth.”
Tone: Explosive, enraged.
Other ways to say it: Snap, explode with anger.

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24. As Happy as a Clam

Meaning: Extremely happy and content.
Example: “He was as happy as a clam on vacation.”
Tone: Cheerful, relaxed.
Other ways to say it: Satisfied, overjoyed.

25. At One’s Wit’s End

Meaning: Completely frustrated and unsure what to do.
Example: “I’m at my wit’s end with this never-ending workload!”
Tone: Stressed, exasperated.
Other ways to say it: Frustrated, desperate.

26. Be Tickled Pink

Meaning: To be very pleased or amused.
Example: “She was tickled pink by the thoughtful gift.”
Tone: Delighted, cheerful.
Other ways to say it: Pleased, overjoyed.

27. Have One’s Heart Set On

Meaning: Be emotionally attached to an outcome.
Example: “She has her heart set on studying abroad.”
Tone: Determined, hopeful.
Other ways to say it: Be committed to, be devoted to.

28. Laugh One’s Head Off

Meaning: Laugh uncontrollably.
Example: “We laughed our heads off at the comedy show.”
Tone: Amused, joyful.
Other ways to say it: Crack up, burst into laughter.

29. Wear a Poker Face

Meaning: Hide emotions and remain expressionless.
Example: “She wore a poker face during the negotiations.”
Tone: Controlled, unreadable.
Other ways to say it: Keep a straight face, show no emotion.

Conclusion

Emotions are at the core of human experience, and these idioms bring them to life in an expressive way.

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