This lesson trains 25 C2 idioms on Feelings, Attitudes & Reactions. Idioms signal fluency when used naturally — forcing them into every sentence hurts your score. Practise in the runner first, then revisit every expression in the glossary. Review mode after completion shows how each idiom fits its context.
be taken aback
Be very surprised.
During a discussion about personal feelings, the facilitator introduced “be taken aback”, an expression meaning “Be very surprised”.
cry your heart out
Cry very hard for a long time.
During a discussion about personal feelings, the trainer referred to “cry your heart out”, a useful expression for the idea “Cry very hard for a long time”.
out of your mind
Extremely; often bored, worried or angry.
During a reflective discussion after a difficult event, the trainer referred to “out of your mind”, a useful expression for the idea “Extremely; often bored, worried or angry”.
feel hard done by
Feel unfairly treated.
In a reflective discussion after a difficult event, “feel hard done by” was explained as an expression meaning “Feel unfairly treated”.
blow your mind
Greatly surprise or excite you.
While taking part in a reflective discussion after a difficult event, the speaker highlighted “blow your mind”, which means “Greatly surprise or excite you”.
as red as a beetroot
Very red, usually from embarrassment.
In a discussion about personal feelings, “as red as a beetroot” was explained as an expression meaning “Very red, usually from embarrassment”.
see red
Become very angry.
In a discussion about personal feelings, “see red” was explained as an expression meaning “Become very angry”.
kick yourself
Feel angry with yourself for a mistake.
While taking part in a discussion about personal feelings, the speaker highlighted “kick yourself”, which means “Feel angry with yourself for a mistake”.
as happy as Larry
Very happy.
During a wellbeing workshop, the facilitator introduced “as happy as Larry”, an expression meaning “Very happy”.
be on a high
Feel very happy and excited.
During a wellbeing workshop, the trainer referred to “be on a high”, a useful expression for the idea “Feel very happy and excited”.
bored out of your mind
Extremely bored.
In a wellbeing workshop, participants used “bored out of your mind” to communicate this idea: “Extremely bored”.
on cloud nine
Extremely happy.
In a conversation about emotional reactions, participants used “on cloud nine” to communicate this idea: “Extremely happy”.
prey on your mind
Cause you persistent worry.
During a wellbeing workshop, the facilitator introduced “prey on your mind”, an expression meaning “Cause you persistent worry”.
down in the dumps
Feeling sad or depressed.
During a conversation about emotional reactions, the facilitator introduced “down in the dumps”, an expression meaning “Feeling sad or depressed”.
sick and tired
Fed up, angry and bored.
In a reflective discussion after a difficult event, participants used “sick and tired” to communicate this idea: “Fed up, angry and bored”.
have a sinking feeling
Feel that something bad is going to happen.
During a conversation about emotional reactions, the trainer referred to “have a sinking feeling”, a useful expression for the idea “Feel that something bad is going to happen”.
get the shock of your life
Be extremely shocked.
While taking part in a wellbeing workshop, the speaker highlighted “get the shock of your life”, which means “Be extremely shocked”.
shell-shocked
Deeply shocked and unable to think clearly.
While taking part in a conversation about emotional reactions, the speaker highlighted “shell-shocked”, which means “Deeply shocked and unable to think clearly”.
hopping mad
Extremely angry.
During a reflective discussion after a difficult event, the facilitator introduced “hopping mad”, an expression meaning “Extremely angry”.
be cool with
Be happy to accept something.
In a reflective discussion after a difficult event, participants used “be cool with” to communicate this idea: “Be happy to accept something”.
be all smiles
Look very happy.
While taking part in a conversation about emotional reactions, the speaker highlighted “be all smiles”, which means “Look very happy”.
harden your heart
Stop yourself from feeling sympathy.
In a discussion about personal feelings, participants used “harden your heart” to communicate this idea: “Stop yourself from feeling sympathy”.
take heart
Feel encouraged.
During a wellbeing workshop, the trainer referred to “take heart”, a useful expression for the idea “Feel encouraged”.
in your heart of hearts
In your deepest private feelings.
In a wellbeing workshop, “in your heart of hearts” was explained as an expression meaning “In your deepest private feelings”.
be torn
Feel unable to choose between alternatives.
In a conversation about emotional reactions, “be torn” was explained as an expression meaning “Feel unable to choose between alternatives”.