Idioms about feelings: meanings and examples
Short answer: Idioms about feelings are fixed phrases that describe how you feel: “on cloud nine” and “over the moon” mean very happy, “down in the dumps” means sad, and “butterflies in your stomach” means nervous. Use them in speech and friendly messages to sound natural.
What do these expressions mean?
| Expression | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| On cloud nine | Very, very happy | She got the job and has been on cloud nine all week. |
| Over the moon | Very, very happy | We are over the moon about the good news. |
| Down in the dumps | Feeling very sad | He has been down in the dumps since his team lost. |
| Have butterflies in your stomach | To feel nervous, sometimes excited, before something | I always have butterflies in my stomach before I speak in public. |
| Get cold feet | To become afraid before doing something you planned | He got cold feet and did not sign up for the race. |
| Blow off steam | To do something that helps you feel less angry or stressed | I go for a run after work to blow off steam. |
| Get something off your chest | To tell someone a worry that you have kept inside | I need to get something off my chest: I am worried about the move. |
| Pull yourself together | To calm down and control your feelings | Take a deep breath and pull yourself together. You can do this. |
When do you use idioms about feelings?
- To say how you feel in a short, friendly way: “I'm over the moon!”
- To describe a friend's mood: “He has been down in the dumps all week.”
- To explain stress and how you deal with it: “I run to blow off steam.”
Are they formal or informal?
Most are fine in conversation, in friendly emails and in stories. In a formal report, use a plain word such as “very happy” or “nervous” instead.
Common mistakes with idioms about feelings
- Keep the small words: say “on cloud nine”, not “in cloud nine”.
- “Butterflies in your stomach” is about nerves, not about being sick.
- “Get cold feet” means to become afraid before you do something you planned, not to be cold.
Similar expressions
For happy, “on cloud nine” and “over the moon” mean the same, and “over the moon” is a little more common in speech. To talk about calming down, compare “pull yourself together” (control your feelings) with “blow off steam” (let stress out in a healthy way).
More idioms
- English idioms: meanings and examples (all groups)
- Idioms for advice and encouragement: meanings and examples
- Idioms about mistakes and trouble: meanings and examples
- Everyday English expressions: cool, my bad, no worries and more
Questions
What does “on cloud nine” mean?
It means very, very happy. You can use it after good news: “She has been on cloud nine since she got the job.”
What does “down in the dumps” mean?
It means feeling very sad. It is informal, so it is best for speech and friendly messages.
How do I say I am nervous with an idiom?
Say “I have butterflies in my stomach.” It means you feel nervous, and sometimes excited, before something.
Which idiom means very happy?
“On cloud nine” and “over the moon” both mean very happy. Both are fine in everyday speech.
Part of the English idioms guide in the 💬 Idioms tool.
Written for English learners by the English for Fun team. How we write our lessons · Last updated 2026-11-05.