(as) bold as brass
Meaning: brazen; very bold and impertinent.
Example: “She went up to her lover’s wife, bold as brass.”
Focused Idiom Category
Emotion Idioms
Emotion idioms give English speakers expressive ways to talk about happiness, fear, anger, worry, love, disappointment, relief, and surprise. Instead of naming a feeling directly, these expressions often create a strong image that reveals its intensity or effect. The idioms on this page have been selected because emotion is their main meaning, not simply because an emotional word appears in an example sentence. Every entry includes a brief definition for quick browsing and a fuller example sentence that demonstrates the emotional context. Use the letter menu to jump to the section you need, then explore related categories when a feeling is closely connected with relationships, communication, or personal difficulties. This collection is particularly valuable for storytelling, conversation, social writing, and learners who want their English to sound more natural and emotionally precise.
33Relevant idioms
A
A Idioms
5 entries(as) calm as a millpond
Meaning: to be exceptionally calm.
Example: “The English channel was calm as a millpond that day.”
(as) happy as a sandboy and (as) happy as Larry; (as) happy as the day is long
Meaning: very happy; carefree.
Example: “Mary’s as happy as a sandboy now that she is at home all day with her children.”
afraid of one’s own shadow
Meaning: easily frightened; always frightened, timid, or suspicious.
Example: “After Tom was robbed, he was afraid of his own shadow.”
airs and graces
Meaning: proud behaviour adopted by one who is trying to impress others by appearing more important than one actually is.
Example: “She is only a junior secretary, but from her airs and graces you would think she was managing director.”
B
B Idioms
2 entriesbe thankful for small mercies
Meaning: to be grateful for any small benefits or advantages one has, especially in a generally difficult situation.
Example: “We have very little money, but we must be grateful for small mercies.”
bed of roses
Meaning: a situation or way of life that is always happy and comfortable.
Example: “Living with Pat can’t be a bed of roses, but her husband is always smiling.”
C
C Idioms
3 entriescarry a torch for someone
Meaning: to be in love with someone who does not return love; to brood over a hopeless love affair.
Example: “John is carrying a torch for Jane.”
champ at the bit
Meaning: to be ready and anxious to do something; to be impatient.
Example: “The children were champing at the bit to get into the swimming-pool.”
cheesed off
Meaning: bored; depressed; annoyed.
Example: “He was cheesed off with his job.”
D
D Idioms
2 entriesdie of boredom
Meaning: to suffer from boredom; to be very bored.
Example: “I shall die of boredom if I stay here alone all day.”
do a double take
Meaning: to react with surprise; to have to look twice to make sure that one really saw correctly.
Example: “When the boy led a goat into the park, everyone did a double take.”
G
G Idioms
1 entriesget carried away
Meaning: to be overcome by emotion or enthusiasm.
Example: “Don’t get carried away.”
H
H Idioms
2 entriesHang on to your hat! and Hold on to your hat!
Meaning: Prepare for a sudden surprise or shock.
Example: “Hang on to your hat!”
hate someone’s guts
Meaning: to hate someone very much.
Example: “I hate his guts!”
I
I Idioms
4 entriesill at ease
Meaning: uneasy; anxious.
Example: “I feel ill at ease about the interview.”
in a bad mood
Meaning: sad; depressed; cross; with low spirits.
Example: “He’s in a bad mood.”
in a huff
Meaning: in an angry or offended manner or state.
Example: “He heard what we had to say, then left in a huff.”
in fear and trembling
Meaning: with anxiety or fear; with dread.
Example: “In fear and trembling, I went into the room to take the exam.”
J
J Idioms
1 entriesjolly someone along
Meaning: to keep someone happy and satisfied in order to obtain compliance with one’s wishes.
Example: “If you jolly Jim along, he will help you with the garden.”
K
K Idioms
1 entrieskeep someone on tenterhooks
Meaning: to keep someone anxious or in suspense.
Example: “Don’t keep me on tenterhooks any longer!”
L
L Idioms
2 entrieslady-killer
Meaning: a man who likes to flirt and make love to women, and who is popular with them.
Example: “Fred used to be a real lady-killer, but now women laugh at him.”
leave a bad taste in someone’s mouth
Meaning: to leave a bad feeling or memory with someone.
Example: “The whole business about the missing money left a bad taste in his mouth.”
M
M Idioms
1 entriesmake merry
Meaning: to have fun; to have an enjoyable time.
Example: “The guests certainly made merry at the wedding.”
N
N Idioms
2 entriesnever fear
Meaning: do not worry; have confidence.
Example: “I’ll be there on time— never fear.”
no hard feelings
Meaning: no anger or resentment.
Example: “I hope you don’t have any hard feelings.”
R
R Idioms
3 entriesraise a few eyebrows
Meaning: to shock or surprise people mildly by doing or saying something.
Example: “What you just said may raise a few eyebrows, but it shouldn’t make anyone really angry.”
rarin’ to go
Meaning: extremely keen to act or do something.
Example: “She’s rarin’ to go.”
regain one’s composure
Meaning: to become calm and composed.
Example: “I found it difficult to regain my composure after the argument.”
S
S Idioms
3 entriesscare someone stiff
Meaning: to scare someone severely; to make someone very frightened.
Example: “That loud noise scared me stiff.”
screw up one’s courage
Meaning: to get one’s courage together; to force oneself to be brave.
Example: “I suppose I have to screw up my courage and go to the dentist.”
see red
Meaning: to be angry.
Example: “Whenever I think of the needless destruction of trees, I see red.”
W
W Idioms
1 entrieswalk on air
Meaning: to be very happy; to be euphoric.
Example: “Ann was walking on air when she got the job.”
Helpful Answers
Frequently asked questions
What are emotion idioms?
Emotion idioms are non-literal expressions used to describe feelings such as happiness, fear, anger, love, sadness, worry, or surprise.
Why use an idiom instead of a feeling word?
An idiom can communicate intensity, attitude, and imagery that a single adjective may not express as clearly or memorably.
Are emotion idioms informal?
Many are conversational, but several are also common in journalism, literature, speeches, and professional discussions about reactions or morale.
How can learners practise them?
Write one short situation for each feeling, then replace the basic emotion word with an appropriate idiom from the list.
Can one idiom describe different emotions?
Occasionally context changes the shade of meaning, but the meaning and example shown here follow the most established and widely understood use.
