Idioms and Phrasal Verbs to talk about Emotions

Hey guys!

Everybody knows the importance of learning some phrasal verbs, idioms and colloquial expressions, especially when you live in a foreign country. We always learn a lot of them by communicating with native speakers or watching movies and series. In this post, you learn some phrasal verbs, idioms and expressions to communicate in a more natural way when speaking English in a foreign country.

* for no apparent reason – without an obvious cause.

He cried a lot for no apparent reason.

* on top of the world – very happy or proud.

She was feeling on top of the world when she was promoted.

* down in the dumps – having no patience or energy left to deal with a difficult situation.

She’s a bit down in the dumps because she failed one of her exams.

* cry your eyes/heart out – cry in an uncontrolled way and be unable to stop.

I was so upset that day, I cried my eyes out.

 * wind sb up – make sb angry or upset.

She just knows how to wind me up.

* stir sth up – make sb feel or think sth like anger, fear, etc.

The photographs stirred up some painful memories.

* take sth in – accept sth as real or true.

I had to see his situation before I could take it all in.

* easier said than done – that’s a good idea but difficult to achieve.

“Why don’t you just ask Simon to pay?” “That’s easier said than done.”

* be dying to do sth / for sth – want to do or have sth very much.

I’m dying for something to eat.

* have a go at sb – attack or criticize sb.

The press is having a go at the Prime Minister.

* cool down – become or make sb calmer and less excited.

I need to be alone to cool down after these news.

* pour your heart out (to sb) – tell sb all your problems and feelings.

Samantha poured her heart out to me last night about how she’s been since her father passed away.

* bottle up your feelings/emotions –avoid sharing your problems and feelings.

I know he’s angry, but he bottles it up inside instead of talking to someone about it.

I hope you learned some new idioms today, see you next time!

Source: Idioms and Phrasal Verbs – Advanced / Ruth Gairns and Stuart Redman – Oxford