Idioms for emotions / Ready for C2 WB p7

down in the dumps /ˈdʌmps/

feeling sad, depressed, or low in spirits [informal]

SYN: blue, depressed, gloomy
OPP: cheerful, upbeat

• She’s been ~ ever since she lost her job last month.

• He was ~ after his team lost the championship game.

• Seeing his old friend helped lift him when he was ~.

head over heels

completely and uncontrollably in love or excited about someone or something [idiomatic]

SYN: infatuated, smitten
OPP: indifferent, detached

• She fell ~ for him after their first date.

• He’s ~ about his new hobby, spending every weekend on it.

• They were ~ with each other, oblivious to the world around them.

see through

to realize that someone is trying to deceive you [phrasal verb]

SYN: detect, uncover
OPP: fall for, be fooled by

• She could ~ his lies from the start.

• He thought his excuse was clever, but his boss ~ it.

• They tried to scam her, but she ~ their tricks.

twig

to suddenly realize or understand something [informal]

SYN: get, grasp
OPP: miss, misunderstand

• It took her a moment to ~ what he was hinting at.

• He finally ~ed that the meeting was a surprise party for him.

• She ~ed the joke halfway through and burst out laughing.

go ballistic /ˌɡoʊ bəˈlɪstɪk/

to become extremely angry or lose control emotionally [informal]

SYN: explode, lose it
OPP: stay calm, remain composed

• He went ~ when he found out his car was towed.

• She’ll ~ if she sees the mess in the kitchen.

• The boss ~ after the team missed the deadline.

out of your wits

extremely frightened, confused, or irrational due to fear or shock [idiomatic]

SYN: terrified, panic-stricken
OPP: calm, composed

• She was ~ with fear during the storm.

• He went ~ when he heard the strange noises at night.

• They were ~ after getting lost in the woods.

chuffed to bits

extremely pleased or delighted [informal, British]

SYN: thrilled, overjoyed
OPP: disappointed, upset

• She was ~ when she passed her driving test.

• He’s ~ about his promotion at work.

• They were ~ with the surprise party thrown for them.

apoplectic with rage /ˌæpəˈplɛktɪk/

extremely angry to the point of being out of control [formal / literary]

SYN: furious, enraged
OPP: calm, serene

• He was ~ when he discovered the betrayal.

• She became ~ after the unfair decision.

• The customer was ~ over the terrible service.

appreciate in value

to increase in worth or monetary value over time [formal]

SYN: rise, increase
OPP: depreciate, decline

• The house has ~ significantly since they bought it.

• Her antique collection is expected to ~ .

• Investing in that stock caused it to ~ over the years.

second a proposal

to formally support or agree with a suggestion or motion in a meeting [formal]

SYN: endorse, back
OPP: oppose, reject

• She was the first to ~ the motion to extend the project deadline.

• He ~ed ~ to hire more staff.

• They quickly ~ed ~ for a new community center.

accept liability for

to take legal or financial responsibility for something [formal]

SYN: assume responsibility, take accountability
OPP: deny responsibility, disclaim

• The company agreed to ~ the damages caused by their product.

• He refused to ~ the accident, claiming it wasn’t his fault.

• They had to ~ the costs of the failed project.

wallow in self-pity /ˈwɑː.loʊ/

to indulge excessively in feeling sorry for oneself [pejorative]

SYN: mope, sulk
OPP: move on, stay resilient

• She would ~ after every breakup, refusing to leave her room.

• He was ~ instead of taking action to improve his situation.

• They warned her not to ~ but to seek help instead.

self-righteousness /ˈraɪtʃəsnəs/

an attitude of moral superiority, believing one’s actions or beliefs are always correct [pejorative]

SYN: sanctimoniousness, smugness
OPP: humility, modesty

• His ~ made it hard for others to discuss issues with him.

• She spoke with such ~ that it alienated her friends.

• The debate was ruined by the ~ of both sides.

act out of self-interest

to behave in a way that prioritizes one’s own benefits or goals [neutral / pejorative]

SYN: selfishness, opportunism
OPP: altruism, selflessness

• He only helped because he was ~, not out of kindness.

• She acted ~ when she took credit for the team’s work.

• Politicians often ~ to gain votes.

use self-deprecating humor

to make jokes that playfully criticize or belittle oneself [neutral]

SYN: modesty, self-mockery
OPP: boastfulness, arrogance

• She used ~ to make the audience feel at ease.

• His ~ made him more relatable to his coworkers.

• He often uses ~ to diffuse tense situations.

have low self-esteem

to lack confidence in one’s own worth or abilities [neutral / pejorative]

SYN: insecurity, self-doubt
OPP: confidence, self-assurance

• She struggles to ~, always doubting her skills.

• He had ~ and avoided speaking up in meetings.

• People with ~ often need encouragement to try new things.

guilty of self-aggrandizement /əˈɡrændɪzmənt/

excessively promoting or exaggerating one’s own importance or achievements [pejorative]

SYN: boasting, narcissism
OPP: humility, modesty

He was ~, constantly talking about his successes.

She was accused of ~ in her autobiography.

His speeches were full of ~, which turned people off.