Here you will learn popular English idioms related to happiness and sadness.
Happiness idioms: to walk on air, to make someone’s day, to be on cloud nine
Sadness idioms: misery guts, sour grapes and more
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List of idioms about happiness and sadness
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Idioms about Happiness and Sadness
Sometimes it can be hard to show happiness and sadness to other people. There are many idioms related to happiness and sadness in English. Let’s learn some of them so you can express your happiness (or sadness) in any social situation.
get a (real) kick out of something
Meaning: to enjoy something very much
Example:
This show is just the kind you like and you’ll get a real kick out of it.
to be thrilled to bits
Meaning: to be extremely happy
Example:
Kathy was thrilled to bits to win the main prize.
to jump for joy
Meaning: to be very happy and excited about something that has happened
Example:
The student was jumping for joy as she took the silver medal in the women’s high-jump competition.
to walk on air
Meaning: to be very happy about something that has happened
Example:
I have been walking on air since Chris asked me to marry him.
12 English Idioms Related to Happiness and Sadness
to make someone’s day
Meaning: to do something that makes the other person very happy
Example:
My husband came home with flowers for me, this really made my day!
happy as Larry
Meaning: (New Zealand/Australian slang) to be very happy
Example:
He was happy as Larry eating a huge piece of cake.
Who actually was Larry?
It is believed to be originated from an Australian middleweight boxer called Larry Foley in the 1870s. He won a prize of £1,000 before boxing was fully legalised. An article was published in a New Zealand newspaper with a headline on its front page “Happy as Larry” and this phrase stuck.
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to be out of sorts
Meaning: to be slightly ill or slightly unhappy
Example:
Jason was out of sorts and decided to stay at home.
down in the dumps
Meaning: to be unhappy or sad (informal)
Example:
Everyone feels down in the dumps once in a while.
not the end of the world
Meaning: nothing serious, it’s no big deal
Example:
If you don’t finish this task by the end of this week, it’s not the end of the world.
12 English Idioms Related to Happiness and Sadness
a misery guts
Meaning: someone who is miserable and unhappy
Example:
I’m such a misery guts lately, I complain all the time.
sour grapes
Meaning: someone is unhappy due to jealousy
Example:
She didn’t think I deserved to win, but I think it’s just sour grapes.
grin and bear it
Meaning: to accept a difficult situation as there is no other choice
Example:
My sister started a new job last week and doesn’t get on well with her boss, I’ve told her that she’d better just grin and bear it.
Please, make sure to learn at least 5 out of 12 English idioms related to happiness and sadness! Indeed, 12 is always better.
English Idioms about Happiness
More information
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