Feel your feelings with these 10 emotion idioms

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Put your most confusing moments into words with these common English phrases like ‘tickled pink’ and ‘in seventh heaven’.

Sue Ng |
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There’s no need to get bent out of shape! Photo: Shutterstock

Being a teen comes with a lot of emotions. Whether you are anxious about the future or head over heels for your crush, it is important to address your feelings and adjust accordingly. Here are 10 idioms about emotions that can help you navigate the ups and downs of adolescence:

1. Bent out of shape

Meaning: to become very angry or upset

Example: The customer was bent out of shape because of the poor service at the restaurant.

2. Down in the dumps

Meaning: being down; depressed and miserable

Example: Ashley was down in the dumps after she failed the exam.

3. Fit to be tied

Meaning: extremely angry

Example: The teacher was fit to be tied as the students repeatedly disobeyed her instructions in class.

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4. Hot under the collar

Meaning: to feel embarrassed or angry about something

Example: The customer service representative got hot under the collar after dealing with the rude customer.

5. In a stew

Meaning: to get confused or worried about a difficult situation you are in

Example: Facing a tight deadline, the team was in a stew trying to finish the project on time.

6. On pins and needles

Meaning: to feel worried or excited about something that is going to happen

Example: Waiting to hear back after the job interview, the anxious applicant was on pins and needles.

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7. In seventh heaven

Meaning: to be extremely happy

Example: Joey was in seventh heaven after she got admitted to her dream college.

8. Pull your hair out

Meaning: to be very worried or upset about something

Example: With the days counting down to the university entrance exam, Form Six students are pulling their hair out.

9. Tickled pink

Meaning: to feel extremely happy about something

Example: The parents were tickled pink to learn that their son got into university.

10. Walking on air

Meaning: to feel extremely excited or happy

Example: After he won the lottery, Sam was walking on air.

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