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.
a face like thunder
An extremely angry expression.
During a discussion about personal feelings, the facilitator introduced “a face like thunder”, an expression meaning “An extremely angry expression”.
fall through the floor
Feel extremely embarrassed.
In a discussion about personal feelings, participants used “fall through the floor” to communicate this idea: “Feel extremely embarrassed”.
your heart is in your boots
You feel very discouraged or afraid.
In a wellbeing workshop, participants used “your heart is in your boots” to communicate this idea: “You feel very discouraged or afraid”.
your heart goes out [someone]
You feel great sympathy for someone.
In a conversation about emotional reactions, “your heart goes out [someone]” was explained as an expression meaning “You feel great sympathy for someone”.
my heart bleeds
I do not feel sorry for someone; often used sarcastically.
In a discussion about personal feelings, “my heart bleeds” was explained as an expression meaning “I do not feel sorry for someone; often used sarcastically”.
take years off [someone]
Make someone look or feel much younger.
During a discussion about personal feelings, the facilitator introduced “take years off [someone]”, an expression meaning “Make someone look or feel much younger”.
nearly fall off your chair
Be extremely surprised.
While taking part in a conversation about emotional reactions, the speaker highlighted “nearly fall off your chair”, which means “Be extremely surprised”.
a slap in the face
A shocking or insulting disappointment.
In a conversation about emotional reactions, “a slap in the face” was explained as an expression meaning “A shocking or insulting disappointment”.
full of the joys of spring
Very happy and lively.
During a conversation about emotional reactions, the trainer referred to “full of the joys of spring”, a useful expression for the idea “Very happy and lively”.
knock [someone] for six
Surprise and upset someone greatly.
While taking part in a discussion about personal feelings, the speaker highlighted “knock [someone] for six”, which means “Surprise and upset someone greatly”.
be a bolt from the blue
A sudden, unexpected surprise.
During a discussion about personal feelings, the trainer referred to “be a bolt from the blue”, a useful expression for the idea “A sudden, unexpected surprise”.
all hot and bothered
Very excited, upset or angry.
While taking part in a reflective discussion after a difficult event, the speaker highlighted “all hot and bothered”, which means “Very excited, upset or angry”.
be like a dog with two tails
Be extremely happy.
In a reflective discussion after a difficult event, “be like a dog with two tails” was explained as an expression meaning “Be extremely happy”.
your heart goes out to [someone]
You feel great sympathy for someone.
While taking part in a reflective discussion after a difficult event, the speaker highlighted “your heart goes out to [someone]”, which means “You feel great sympathy for someone”.
be blown away by [something]
Be extremely impressed or amazed by something.
During a conversation about emotional reactions, the facilitator introduced “be blown away by [something]”, an expression meaning “Be extremely impressed or amazed by something”.
burst a blood vessel
Become extremely angry.
While taking part in a wellbeing workshop, the speaker highlighted “burst a blood vessel”, which means “Become extremely angry”.
shed crocodile tears
Pretend to be sad.
During a wellbeing workshop, the trainer referred to “shed crocodile tears”, a useful expression for the idea “Pretend to be sad”.
make [someone's] toes curl
Make someone feel extremely embarrassed.
During a wellbeing workshop, the facilitator introduced “make [someone's] toes curl”, an expression meaning “Make someone feel extremely embarrassed”.
reduce to tears
Make someone cry.
In a reflective discussion after a difficult event, participants used “reduce to tears” to communicate this idea: “Make someone cry”.
as sick as a parrot
Very disappointed or upset.
In a wellbeing workshop, participants used “as sick as a parrot” to communicate this idea: “Very disappointed or upset”.
your heart isn't in [something]
You do not feel enthusiastic or committed.
During a discussion about personal feelings, the trainer referred to “your heart isn't in [something]”, a useful expression for the idea “You do not feel enthusiastic or committed”.
like the cat that ate the canary
Very pleased with oneself.
During a reflective discussion after a difficult event, the trainer referred to “like the cat that ate the canary”, a useful expression for the idea “Very pleased with oneself”.
have a good mind to
Feel tempted to do something.
During a reflective discussion after a difficult event, the facilitator introduced “have a good mind to”, an expression meaning “Feel tempted to do something”.
like a [deer/rabbit] caught in the headlights
Very frightened and unable to act or think.
In a conversation about emotional reactions, participants used “like a [deer/rabbit] caught in the headlights” to communicate this idea: “Very frightened and unable to act or think”.
have half a mind to
Feel tempted to do something.
In a wellbeing workshop, “have half a mind to” was explained as an expression meaning “Feel tempted to do something”.