Idioms Related to Happiness and Sadness: A Guide for English Learners

 In everyday life, we often express our emotions through idiomatic phrases. These idioms are phrases that have meanings different from their literal interpretations. They are commonly used in both casual and formal conversations, making them an important part of mastering a language. This guide will introduce you to some common idioms used to describe happiness and sadness in English, providing practical examples and explanations to help you understand how and when to use them.

Idioms Expressing Happiness

1. Thrilled to bits (mainly UK, informal):
   This phrase means to be extremely pleased or excited about something. It is often used to describe a joyful reaction to something special.
   • Example: “I was thrilled to bits when I received my acceptance letter from university.”
   • Explanation: In this case, the speaker is expressing how happy they were to receive good news.

2. On top of the world:
   When someone is "on top of the world," it means they are feeling very happy or successful. This idiom can be used to describe both emotional and physical happiness.
   • Example: “She was on top of the world after getting her promotion at work.”
   • Explanation: The person feels great joy and pride after achieving something significant.

3. Be on cloud nine:
   This idiom is used when someone is feeling extremely happy, often due to good news or exciting events.
   • Example: “I was on cloud nine when I found out I had won the prize.”
   • Explanation: Here, the speaker is extremely excited about a positive outcome.

4. Over the moon:
   "Over the moon" means to be extremely happy or delighted. It is often used when something exceeds expectations.
   • Example: “When I got the promotion, I was over the moon!”
   • Explanation: The speaker is expressing great happiness about receiving a promotion at work.

5. Get a kick out of:
   To "get a kick out of something" means to enjoy or be amused by something. This idiom is often used when referring to activities or experiences that bring joy.
   • Example: “I get a kick out of watching comedy movies with my friends.”
   • Explanation: The speaker enjoys the fun and amusement of watching movies.

6. Be in seventh heaven:
   This idiom describes a feeling of pure happiness or bliss, often after an exciting event or a big achievement.
   • Example: “He was in seventh heaven after his wedding day.”
   • Explanation: The person is experiencing an overwhelming sense of joy following a major life event.

7. Jump for joy:
   When someone is so happy that they physically jump up and down, we say they "jump for joy."
   • Example: “I jumped for joy when I heard that I had been selected for the team.”
   • Explanation: This is a vivid way to show how someone reacts when they receive exciting news.

8. Walking on air:
   This phrase is used to describe the feeling of being very happy or light-hearted, as though one is floating in the air.
   • Example: “She was walking on air after receiving the good news about her new job.”
   • Explanation: The person feels as though they are floating because of their happiness.

9. If something makes your day:
   If something "makes your day," it means it pleases or delights you, often unexpectedly.
   • Example: “Seeing my friends after a long time really made my day.”
   • Explanation: The speaker’s day was made better by the joy of reconnecting with their friends.

Idioms Expressing Sadness

1. Be out of sorts:
   When someone is "out of sorts," it means they are feeling slightly unwell or in a bad mood, but not seriously ill.
   • Example: “She’s been out of sorts all week due to a cold.”
   • Explanation: The person is not feeling their best, either physically or emotionally.

2. Down in the dumps:
   This idiom means feeling very sad, discouraged, or depressed.
   • Example: “He’s been down in the dumps since his dog passed away.”
   • Explanation: The speaker feels sadness and is in a low emotional state after a loss.

3. Grin and bear it:
   To "grin and bear it" means to accept a difficult situation with a smile, even though it is unpleasant.
   • Example: “I didn’t like the food at the restaurant, but I had to grin and bear it because I didn’t want to cause any trouble.”
   • Explanation: The person reluctantly accepted the situation, even though it wasn’t ideal.

4. Misery guts:
   A "misery guts" is someone who is always unhappy, complaining, or looking at the negative side of things.
   • Example: “Stop being such a misery guts and try to enjoy the party!”
   • Explanation: The speaker is urging someone to stop complaining and to be more positive.

5. Sour grapes:
   This expression is used when someone is angry or upset because they did not get something they wanted, and they criticize it as a result.
   • Example: “She said she didn’t want to go to the concert, but I think it was just sour grapes because she couldn’t get tickets.”
   • Explanation: The person is pretending not to care about the concert because they were unable to attend.

Conclusion

Learning idiomatic expressions like those for happiness and sadness helps you understand and communicate better in English. These phrases enrich your vocabulary, making you sound more natural and fluent in everyday situations. By practicing these expressions and using them in conversations, you'll be able to express emotions in ways that are commonly understood by native speakers.

For further learning, it is helpful to read books, watch movies, or engage in conversations where these idioms are used. Over time, you will find that you can easily incorporate them into your speech and writing.