Useful Expressions: Describing Emotions (Part 2)

1. (to have) butterflies in your stomach
Meaning: to be feeling so anxious or nervous about something that you have a strange or bad feeling in your stomach
Example: I was so nervous before the job interview I had butterflies in my stomach.

2. (to have) egg on your face
Meaning: to be feeling really embarrassed after saying or doing something foolish in front of other people
Example: I’ve been calling her the wrong name all week in front of everyone, now I’ve really got egg on my face.

3. (to be) ill at ease
Meaning: to be feeling tense, uncomfortable, or unwell and can’t relax properly in a situation
Example: I’ve been feeling ill at ease all day. I made a big mistake at work yesterday and I’m not sure how the boss will react today.

4. (to have)itchy feet
Meaning: to want to go travelling, experience something new, or make a change in your life
Example: I was only at the company for three months before I started getting itchy feet, so I quit my job and went on a long holiday abroad.

5. (to)jump out of your skin
Meaning: to get a big shock or surprise, which may even make you jump or tense your body
Example: I nearly jumped out of my skin when I got my exam results. I never expected to get such good grades.

6. (to)knock your socks off
Meaning: when something amazes, surprises, or shocks you
Example: The boss nearly knocked my socks off when he announced that I was getting a promotion. I really didn’t expect that!

7. (to)lose face
Meaning: to lose respect or admiration from others
Example: the celebrity really lost face when the scandal was reported in the newspapers.

8. (to be) lost for words
Meaning: to be so shocked, surprised or annoyed by something that you don’t know what to say
Example: I was lost for words when I didn’t get the promotion again this year. I just don’t know what to do to impress the bosses.

9. (to be) as white as a bed sheet | as white as a ghost
Meaning: to be so shocked or scared by something that your face goes pale (or white)
Example: She was as white as a ghost after watching the horror film at the cinema last night

10.You could have knocked me over with a feather
Meaning: to be so shocked, surprised, or astonished by something
Example: You could have knocked me over with a feather when my parents gave me the latest MacBook as a gift before starting university, I was so surpirised!

5. Being busy

1. (to be) as busy as a bee | as busy as a beaver
Meaning: to be busy
Example: I haven’t had any time to catch up on my homework, I’ve been as busy as a bee preparing for my father’s surprise birthday party.

2. (to have) a lot on your plate
Meaning: to be busy because you have many things to do
Example: Unfortunately I just don’t have time to hang out with my friends this weekend because I’ve got a lot on my plate at the moment.

3. (to be) snowed under
Meaning: to be very busy, or to have more work to do than you can deal with
Example: I’m so snowed under at work right now, I just can’t take on any more responsibilities.

4. (to be) up to your neck | eyeballs | ears
Meaning: to very busy with something, or to have too much of something (e.g work) to do
Example: I’m too busy to go to the cinema tonight. I’m up to my eyeballs with revision at the moment because I’ve got an important test next week

5. (to have) your hands full
Meaning: to be busy with something or someone
Example: My mum really had her hands full when she was trying to raise my three brothers and I, while my father was working long hours.

Xem thêm: Useful Expressions: Describing Emotions (Part 3)

(Nguồn: IELTS Practice Online)