How to Use Idioms Like 'Fed Up' and 'Down in the Dumps' to Express Emotions

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This article explains six common English idioms for talking about your feelings. You will learn what 'fed up,' 'bottle it up,' 'take it to heart,' 'have a lot on your plate,' 'down in the dumps,' and 'on pins and needles' mean and how to use them in new sentences.

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14

M
Mina ·
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The quiz has 'over the moon' but it's not in the list. What does it mean?

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A Adam ·
6

I was wondering about that! I guessed it was positive. What about 'under the weather'?

10

N
Noah ·
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What is the difference between 'fed up' and 'down in the dumps'? They both sound negative.

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A Aisha ·
5

Oh, that makes sense. So I'm 'fed up' with my loud neighbors, but I'm 'down in the dumps' because it's been raining for a week. Thanks!

8

A
Ali ·
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'On pins and needles' is a very strange phrase. Is it common?

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L LingUp LingUp ·
4

I get it now. I was on pins and needles waiting for my visa approval.

6

O
Omar ·
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Is 'have a lot on your plate' only for work? Or can I use it for my personal life?

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F Fatima ·
2

Good to know, thank you. I definitely have a lot on my plate with my new baby!

6

S
Sarah ·
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Can 'take it to heart' be used for positive things too? Like taking a compliment to heart?

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L LingUp LingUp ·
3

Ah, so it's usually about being too sensitive to something bad. Thanks.

4

H
Hana ·
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For 'bottle it up', can I say 'bottle my feelings up'?

1 answer View
A Amir ·
1

Thank you for the clarification!

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L
Lina ·
Reply

Why is the answer to the Fill the Gap 'bottle' and not 'hold'?

1 answer View
Y Yousef ·
2

I made that mistake. So idioms are like recipes you can't change. Got it.

Idioms About Emotion

Fed up

This idiom means you are feeling annoyed or tired of something that has been happening for a long time. You have no more patience for the situation.

For example: The team is fed up with losing every game.

Bottle it up

To bottle it up means to hide your feelings instead of sharing them with others. You keep your emotions inside, like putting them in a bottle and closing it.

For example: He tends to bottle it up when he's angry, which isn't healthy.

Take it to heart

When you take it to heart, you are deeply affected emotionally by something someone says or does. It often means you are hurt or upset by criticism.

For example: She gave him some advice, and he really took it to heart.

Have a lot on your plate

This expression means you are very busy or stressed. Imagine your plate is full of food, and you can't add any more. In the same way, your life is full of tasks and responsibilities.

For example: I can't help you this week, I have a lot on my plate with my new project.

Down in the dumps

If you are down in the dumps, you are feeling sad or depressed. It's a common way to say that you are unhappy, often for no single, specific reason.

For example: My brother has been down in the dumps since his dog ran away.

On pins and needles

This idiom means you are feeling very nervous or anxious about something that is going to happen. You are waiting for news and cannot relax.

For example: The whole family was on pins and needles waiting for the doctor's call.

Key takeaways

You can now use six new idioms to describe your feelings. You can say you're 'fed up' when annoyed, 'down in the dumps' when sad, or 'on pins and needles' when anxious. These phrases will help you express your emotions more naturally in English conversations.

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englishyplus

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