Idiom Meaning

to get off on the right/wrong

to make a successful/unsuccessful start in something
foot

to give someone the cold

to intentionally ignore someone or treat someone in an unfriendly way
shoulder

to go back a long way refers to people who have known each other for a long time

to have a soft spot for to have a particular fondness or affection for someone or something, often for
someone reasons that are hard to understand or articulate

to come into contact with someone or something, often surprisingly or

to cross someone’s path
unexpectedly

to have friends in high places to know important people who can help you get what you want

to be an item if two people are an item, they are having a romantic relationship

the end of the short amount of time at the beginning of a new relationship,
the honeymoon is over activity, or pursuit when everything goes well and seems to be free of
problems

someone/something is out of
someone or something is too good or expensive for someone to have
someone’s league

to fall head over heels to be completely in love with someone

a match made in heaven a very successful combination of two people or things

to love something/someone to
to feel extremely strong affection for someone
death

when people show their love for each other in public by touching each other
lovey-dovey
and saying loving things

to pop the question to propose marriage to someone

to tie the knot to get married

idiom meaning example sentence

all ears fully listening Give me a minute to finish
my work and then I'll be all
ears to hear about your
project.

break a leg good-luck Today's the big game,

eh? Break a leg!

cold feet nervous just before a big My sister didn't get cold
event feet until she put her
wedding gown on.

cost an arm be very expensive These cakes are delicious,

and a leg but they cost an arm and a
leg.

cry your heart cry very hard I cried my heart out when
out my best friend moved
away.

face the meet, stand up to I stayed out all night. When

music unpleasant consequences, I eventually got home I had
for example criticism or to face the music from my
punishment wife.

(my) flesh and relative I have to hire Mia. She's my

blood own flesh and blood.
get something tell someone your Thanks for listening to me
off one's problems complain about my boss. I
chest just needed to get this off
my chest.

give a hand, help (someone) do I can give you a

lend a hand something hand when you move if you
like.

have one's be unaware or unrealistic Amy has her head in the

head in the about something clouds if she thinks she's
clouds going to pass her exams
without studying.

head over deeply in love My brother is head over

heels heels for his new girlfriend.

head start an earlier start The kids gave Anthony

a head start in the bicycle
race because he was the
youngest.

in over one's taking on a task that you I was in over my

head can't handle head when I agreed to
babysit the triplets and the
dogs.
keep an eye take care of, watch in I'll keep an eye on the
on order to protect dinner while you're on the
phone.

keep one's try to be cheerful Keep your chin up. I'm

chin up sure you'll make some
friends soon.

learn by heart, memorize I learned my multiplication

know by heart tables by heart in the fourth
grade.

let one's hair relax, have fun Go to the cottage and let
down your hair down this
weekend.

(my) lips are promise to keep a secret Don't worry, I won't tell your
sealed mother how much you
spent. My lips are sealed.

makes my makes me very angry It makes my blood

blood boil boil when people don't tie
up their dogs.

neck of the nearby location or region I heard that they might be

woods opening a post office in
our neck of the
woods soon.
(an) old hand an experienced person My uncle's an old hand at
car repair. He'll know what
the problem is.

over my dead not unless I'm dead and My daughter wants a tattoo.
body can't stop you I told her she'd get
one over my dead body.

pat on the recognition or a thank-you The party organizers

back deserve a pat on the
back for a job well done.

play do something without a We don't know if the

something by plan weather will be good
ear enough for camping. We'll
have to play it by ear.

pull one's leg joke or tease someone I was just pulling your leg.
I'm not really a police
officer.

rule of thumb basic rule (not always The rule of thumb is that
followed) the students wear black
pants and white shirts.

see eye to eye agree The couple don't see eye

to eye on how to train their
pets.
 (by the) skin just barely I passed my exam by the
of one's teeth skin of my teeth.

stick your help someone a lot, with I stuck my neck out for
neck out possible bad Bessie when she was
consequences for oneself thrown out of her house.

sweet tooth a love of sugar or sweet I need three spoonfuls of

things sugar in my tea. I have
a sweet tooth.

thick in the not very intelligent I'm a bit thick in the

head head when it comes to
reading a map.

wash one's stop dealing with an issue I'm washing my hands

hands of or problem of Mary's addiction. She is
something going to have to get some
professional help.

English idioms to express feelings

and emotions
Feelings and emotions can be both positive and negative. Every day we experience this
or that feeling, and sometimes there are days that are so joyful or exciting that we
simply bask in positive emotions.
These emotions and feelings, whether positive or not, are what make us alive, so let’s
learn to speak about them in English and share our joys and sorrows with loved ones
and friends.
Today, I would like to direct your attention to some English idioms that can be used to
express feelings and emotions. Add to your collection of English idioms, and make your
speech more diverse and interesting – speak like a native!
1. Mixed feelings
This expression is used to describe a state where you have more than one feeling – you
are happy, but at the same time sad, anxious, worried, etc.
For example: I had mixed feelings about moving to another city. I was excited about my
new job, but sad to be leaving all my friends.
2. No hard feelings
This means “without offence or anger.” It might be used after an argument to express
the thought or hope that no one will continue to be angry afterwards.
For example: No hard feelings, man! That’s life.
3. Be as hard as nails
This idiom is used to describe a person who is insensitive and has no compassion or
empathy for others.
For example: Jessica will be great in this new business because she is as hard as nails.
4. To carry the torch for
This idiom in English means to be in love with someone. It is often used to describe a
situation where the feelings aren’t mutual.
It could be that the object of affection doesn’t know about it. In other words, it is a secret
love.
For example: Jane carries the torch for Andy but he has no clue about it.
5. Chip on your shoulder
The next idiom can describe a person who is offended, deeply unhappy or feels he is
not treated as well as he deserves to be.
For example: If a boy comes from a working-class family, at times he acts like he has a
chip on his shoulder.
6. Go to pieces
The meaning of this idiom is “to become deeply sad and depressed after the loss of
something or someone extremely important in life; to have a mental or emotional
collapse.”
For example: Candy went to pieces after she heard about his death.
7. To be in a stew
In our stressful world, this idiom is very fitting.
The meaning of this idiomatic expression is “to be extremely concerned or upset about
something.”

For example: I am in a stew! My son is not back home yet!

8. On top of the world
This idioms means to be jubilant and feel amazing, as if you’re, well, at the top of the
world, looking down at everybody else.
For example: After I got that job, I felt on top of the world.
9. To be hopping mad The last idiom on today’s
list means “to be extremely angry.”
For example: Bill is hopping mad because his wife borrowed his credit card and bought
an expensive dress without first asking his permission.
“When dealing with people, remember you are not dealing with creatures of logic, but
creatures of emotion.” – Dale Carnegie