Learn 10 English expressions for feelings to help you sound fluent and confident in conversations. These natural English collocations are ideal for describing emotions, reactions, and situations naturally, just like native speakers.
If you’re preparing English proficiency exams (CAE, IELTS or TOEFL), or simply want to improve your communication skills, this lesson will give you clear examples and practical explanations.
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List of collocations
10 English Expressions for Feelings
Harry
So, in this lesson, we’re focusing on some advanced English collocations that are all about how people react in different situations. These are useful, everyday phrases that native speakers use to describe emotions and behaviours—sometimes hot, sometimes cold, and often somewhere in between.
Collocations like these are really helpful because they’re natural combinations of words that just “fit” together in English. If you’re learning English at an advanced level, understanding and using these phrases will make you sound much more fluent.
We’ve got ten phrases to go through. As always, I’ll explain what each one means, and I’ll share an example so you can see how to use it. Let’s get started!
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icy stare
Meaning: a cold, unfriendly, or angry look that shows disapproval or lack of warmth
❌ cold stare
❌ frozen stare
Examples:
The teacher’s icy stare silenced the noisy classroom instantly.
He gave his colleague an icy stare after the unfair comment and said nothing.
lukewarm response
Meaning: a reaction that shows little enthusiasm, interest, or support
❌ hot response
❌ cool response
Examples:
I presented my proposal to the management team, but all I got was a lukewarm response.
The advertisement was launched, but it received a lukewarm response from customers.
10 English Expressions for Feelings
heated debate
Meaning: a passionate and intense discussion where people strongly disagree, almost an argument
❌ warm debate
❌ boiling debate
Examples:
There was a heated debate on social media over the new policy changes.
The meeting turned into a heated debate about budget cuts.
The candidates engaged in a heated debate as they defended their policies.
frosty reception
Meaning: a cold, unfriendly, or unenthusiastic response to someone or something
❌ hot reception
❌ cold reception
Examples:
Emma gave him a frosty reception after their late-night fight.
After the argument with his parents, he returned home to a frosty reception.
hot temper
Meaning: a tendency to get angry quickly or easily
❌ cold temper
❌ boiling temper
Examples:
Be careful around him. He’s got a hot temper and might blow up if you say the wrong thing.
The coach warned his team to target the striker with a hot temper, hoping he’d get a red card.
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tempers flared
Meaning: emotions ran high, often leading to anger or conflict in a situation
❌ tempers heated
❌ tempers cooled
Examples:
Tempers flared in the football match when a player made a rough tackle.
Tempers flared on the pitch after that rough tackle, and the referee had to step in.
During break time, tempers flared when Jake tripped another student. The other children started to egg them on, which made things worse.
blistering attack
Meaning: a fierce, harsh, or highly critical verbal or physical assault
❌ cold attack
❌ boiling attack
Examples:
The coach faced a blistering attack from fans after the team’s disappointing performance.
The politician launched a blistering attack on his opponent’s policies during the debate.
The media launched a blistering attack on the politician after it emerged he was paid over £100,000 to promote private companies.
Parents launched a blistering attack on the school after it dropped in the exam results league.
anger boils
Meaning: when someone is very angry and struggling to stay calm
❌ anger heats
❌ anger cooks
Examples:
His anger boiled as he listened to the unfair accusations, but he managed to stay calm.
The crowd’s anger boiled as they protested against the rising cost of living.
10 English Expressions for Feelings
hotly deny
Meaning: when someone strongly or passionately rejects or refutes something, often with emotion or intensity
❌ warmly deny
❌ coldly deny
Examples:
He hotly denied taking the last slice of cake, saying he wasn’t even in the kitchen.
He hotly denied ever saying that, insisting it was completely untrue.
They hotly denied that there’s been any misuse of funds.
The government has hotly denied that they mismanaged the tax revenues.
The company hotly denied the rumours, dismissing claims of an imminent takeover.
relations have thawed
Meaning: previously tense or unfriendly relationships have improved
❌ relations have melted
❌ relations have defrosted
Example:
After an apology, relations thawed, and they finally started speaking again.
Following months of tension, relations thawed between the two companies as they agreed to restart negotiations.
There you have it. 10 useful expressions for feelings. Don’t forget to practise. Take a few and put them into sentences. If you’d like to contact me, you can find me at www.englishlessonviaskype.com. I’m always happy to hear from you, whether it’s a question, feedback, or just a quick hello.
Remember, the more you practise these collocations, the easier they’ll become to use naturally.
Thanks for watching and listening. Join me for the next lesson.
speak better English with Harry podcast- episode 518
more information
For more information on English grammar rules, English collocations and English idioms, check out the links below:
English Collocations with Price
You can always study English advanced level at Learning English with the BBC and British Council Learn English.
