English Idioms and Expressions
Idioms: Happiness and Sadness-2
from: 'life is a bowl of cherries' to: 'whatever floats...'
- life is just a bowl of cherries
- This expression means that life is pleasant, uncomplicated and full of enjoyment.
(This phrase is often used ironically to mean the opposite.)
"Now that he's retired and free to do as he pleases, my grandfather says 'life is just a bowl of cherries'."
- This expression means that life is pleasant, uncomplicated and full of enjoyment.
- (have a) lump in your throat
- If you have a lump in your throat, you have
a tight feeling in your throat because of a strong emotion such as sadness or gratitude.
"The speech was so touching that I had a lump in my throat."
- If you have a lump in your throat, you have
a tight feeling in your throat because of a strong emotion such as sadness or gratitude.
- make someone's day
- If something make someone's day, it makes them feel very happy
or is a positive highlight of their day.
"The letter from my boyfriend made my day !"
- If something make someone's day, it makes them feel very happy
or is a positive highlight of their day.
- music to your ears
- If something is music to your ears,
the information that you receive makes you feel very happy.
"His compliments were music to my ears."
- If something is music to your ears,
the information that you receive makes you feel very happy.
- never looked back
- If you say that you never looked back, you mean that
after an event which changed your life for the better, you continue to be happy
with the situation.
"Since the day she decided to work from home, she has never looked back."
- If you say that you never looked back, you mean that
after an event which changed your life for the better, you continue to be happy
with the situation.
- over the moon
- If you are over the moon about
something, you are very happy about it.
"When she heard the results of the exam, Caroline was over the moon!"
- If you are over the moon about
something, you are very happy about it.
- paint the town red
- If you paint the town red, you go out
and enjoy a lively evening in bars, night-clubs, etc.
"To celebrate the victory, the team's supporters painted the town red."
- If you paint the town red, you go out
and enjoy a lively evening in bars, night-clubs, etc.
- (as) pleased (or proud) as punch
- Someone who is as pleased or as proud as punch
is delighted or feels very satisfied about something.
"Danny was as proud as punch when he won the tennis match."
- Someone who is as pleased or as proud as punch
is delighted or feels very satisfied about something.
- in raptures
- If you are in raptures about
something, you are delighted or very enthusiastic.
"Jane is in raptures about her new apartment."
- If you are in raptures about
something, you are delighted or very enthusiastic.
- stars in your eyes
- If someone has stars in their eyes,
they are looking extremely happy
"Hugo had stars in his eyes when he saw the car he had won"
- If someone has stars in their eyes,
they are looking extremely happy
- in seventh heaven
- If you are in seventh heaven,
you are extremely happy.
"Every time Rebecca wins a match, she's in seventh heaven!"
- If you are in seventh heaven,
you are extremely happy.
- in stitches
- When people are
in stitches, they are laughing a lot.
"The story was so funny, everyone was in stitches."
- When people are
in stitches, they are laughing a lot.
- thrilled to bits
- Someone who is thrilled to bits is extremely
pleased about something.
"Julie was thrilled to bits when her project was selected."
- Someone who is thrilled to bits is extremely
pleased about something.
- tickled pink
- If you are tickled pink, you are
very pleased about something.
"My dad was tickled pink when he was asked to announce the winner."
- If you are tickled pink, you are
very pleased about something.
- time of your life
- If you have the time of our life,
you enjoy yourself very much.
"The kids had the time of their lives at Disneyland."
- If you have the time of our life,
you enjoy yourself very much.
- on top of the world
- If you feel on top of the world,
you are extremely happy because everything is going well for you.
"It's been such a good year for Amy that she feels on top of the world."
- If you feel on top of the world,
you are extremely happy because everything is going well for you.
- walking on air
- When you are happy and excited because of a pleasant event
that makes you feel as if you are floating, you are walking on air.
"Sophie has been walking on air since her painting won the first prize."
- When you are happy and excited because of a pleasant event
that makes you feel as if you are floating, you are walking on air.
- whatever floats your boat
- Although you don't quite agree with someone, it's their
choice and you think they should so whatever makes them happy.
"You're going to spend your honeymoon in Alaska? Well, whatever floats your boat!"
- Although you don't quite agree with someone, it's their
choice and you think they should so whatever makes them happy.
Alphabetical lists: