Idiomatic Ways of Expressing Emotions

Idiomatic Ways of Expressing Emotions

Version 18Jul13 Kevin Crittenden

Anger

He gets hot under the collar very easily.

He’s reached the boiling point.

She was so mad she was seeing red.

She was so mad she couldn’t see straight.

He has a short fuse.

Her boss was so angry that he read the riot act to her.

The workers were up in arms about the new policy.

When her brother kept pestering her, she shouted “Get off my back!”

She was so mad that I thought she was going to bite my head off!

Boy, Jim is sure in a foul mood today!

Jane really lost it when she found out what her boyfriend had done.

I thought Allen was going to blow a fuse! (Blow a gasket, Blow his top)

I have a bone to pick with you!  What you did really annoyed me!

The boss had to take a lot of flak for her mistake.

John was really bent out of shape over the mistake.

Boy was I worked up when I thought I had been fired.

He was hopping up and down!

She was beside herself with anger when she caught him stealing. (can be used with other emotions as well.)

I was at the end of my tether (rope). . . (at the limits of my endurance)

I was all in a lather about my son’s poor grades.  (Flustered, excited, agitated)

The boss called Laura into the office and chewed her out about her lack of progress.

The boss was foaming at the mouth at the poor performance reports.

George got his nose out of joint when the expensive car repair didn’t fix the problem.

“Whoa, simmer down!  There’s no need to get your panties in a bunch.”

She was as mad as a wet hen!

Joy

He was a happy camper when he won the lottery!

She was as happy as a clam at the good news.

He was on cloud nine when his promotion came through.

He was grinning from ear to ear when he won the prize!

She was a happy-go-lucky person, always cheerful and fun to be around.

I jumped for joy when my son was born.

She spent the rest of the day walking on air after his proposal.

His chest was bursting with pride as he watched his son graduate.

I was as high as a kite when my acceptance notice arrived.

I was beside myself with joy when my son came back safely.

Jealousy/Envy

She felt the green-eyed monster inside her begin to stir when she saw her boyfriend talking to Jenna.

Jeff was eating his heart out because I got the promotion and he didn’t.

Lust/Desire

He wanted a sportscar so badly he could taste it.

The neighbor’s wife was forbidden fruit and he needed to understand that.

John was feeling the seven year itch and therefore making plans to move on.

Because the boss was so happy with my work, he said I could write my own ticket on the upcoming trip!

Sorrow/Grief

He was down in the dumps after his girlfriend broke up with him.

She was feeling blue about her life.

She was crying her eyes out at the mean way he treated her.

My heart sank when I saw the misery of her situation.

I was feeling so low I could have walked under a snake’s belly wearing a hat.

It was hard to keep my chin up around the children after hearing the sad news.

Fear/Anxiety

She went through life seemingly afraid of her own shadow.

I watched with bated breath as the stranger came nearer.

To listen to him talk made my blood run cold.

I wanted to call the new girl but suddenly I broke out in a cold sweat.

I was a bundle of nerves before going to the dentist.

She had butterflies in her stomach during the prom.

I was weak in the knees while awaiting my oral exam.

He was on pins and needles waiting for the test to begin.

I was ready to climb the walls while waiting for the surgeon to appear.

Her anxiety reached fever pitch while waiting for word about her mother.

Disgust/Loathing

Listening to his racist tirades made me sick to my stomach.

There was certainly no love lost between those two – they had been squabbling for years.

Trust

I slept like a baby knowing that John was with me again.

Don’t take any wooden nickels!  (Means:  don’t be fooled or taken in.)

I wouldn’t bet a cup of coffee on that rumor!

He’s as phony as a three-dollar bill.

She was giving me the third degree because she wasn’t buying my excuse.

Just use your judgement when it comes to deciding what to do.

Yes, I’ll do what you ask!  Really.  Cross my heart.

Leaving your child with a sitter requires a huge leap of faith.

I’ve been keeping tabs on that new accountant because I’m not sure he is trustworthy.

The facts just don’t stack up so I don’t think we should go ahead on this project.  (OR add up)

I felt secure at last so I could finally let my guard down.

The politician was obviously talking out of both sides of his mouth.

You can trust Bill, he’s a straight-shooter.

I looked into it and this deal is definitely on the up-and-up.

She was fishing for personal information but I chose to hold my cards close to the vest as I didn’t know her all that well.

If George said it, then you can take it to the bank!

Anticipation

She couldn’t wait for morning to arrive!

I was holding my breath, waiting for the professor to tell me if I had passed or failed his course.

Surprise

You could have knocked me over with a feather when my friends surpised me on my birthday!

His announcement during the meeting blindsided me!

She was caught flatfooted by her mother’s surprise visit.

I was caught off-guard by my son’s question.