Bored of the words “happy” and “sad?” Here are 15 advanced English phrases for expressing emotions and adding color to conversations. So, without further ado, let’s learn some useful phrases for effective expression of your emotions.
- To be on Cloud 9
Meaning: to be in a state of great happiness because of an accomplishment or an event.
Sentence Usage: “I was on cloud 9 for days after I received the news that I got the job.”
- Drives me up the wall
Meaning: annoyed
Sentence Usage: “It drives me up the wall when people answer their cell phones in during classes.”
- Floored
Meaning: surprised/ overwhelmed (usually in a good way)
Sentence Usage: “I was floored by all the help we received after our son was in a serious accident.”
- To be bitter
Meaning: to have a really angry and resentful feeling.
Sentence Usage: “Rachel is still bitter about losing her job. She won’t even drive by her old office anymore.”
- To have butterflies in your stomach
Meaning: to have a nervous feeling
Sentence Usage: “The mere thought of my job interview at 9:00 AM is giving me butterflies in stomach.”
- Hit the ceiling
Meaning: to get very angry and upset
Sentence Usage: “My boss hit the ceiling when I told him I had misplaced the documents.”
- Pumped
Meaning: very excited for something (usually something in the future that you are really looking forward to).
Sentence Usage: “I’m pumped about the concert this weekend – it’s going to be awesome!”
- To be fuming
Meaning: to be extremely angry.
Sentence Usage: “The coach is still fuming about the loss to a team that wasn’t that good.”
- To feel out of it
Meaning: to feel confused and tired.
Sentence Usage: “Sometimes I feel a little out of it when I wake up from a nap.”
- Kicking myself for
Meaning: expressing regret (you wish you had acted differently)
Sentence Usage: “I’m kicking myself for not booking the flight yesterday – the price just went up $200.”
- To be out of your mind
Meaning: to be so upset about something that you can’t concentrate on anything else.
Sentence Usage: “Larry is a little more than upset today. He is out of his mind. His ex wife called wanting more money.”
- On Pins And Needles
Meaning: anxious and in suspense (usually waiting to know some important information)
Sentence Usage: “We were on pins and needles waiting to hear if we won the contest.”
- To be all smiles
Meaning: to have an overall happy feeling.
Sentence Usage: “My boss was all smiles when he saw what a good job we had done.”
- To be down in the dumps
Meaning: to be in a depressed state.
Sentence Usage: “My niece has been down in the dumps ever since his boyfriend left her last week.”
- Flying high
Meaning: to be in a state of great excitement.
Sentence Usage: “The whole office was flying high when the news of getting a bonus this year was circulated.”
