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Emotions & feelings

The everyday English you reach for around feelings — cheering a friend up, talking through stress, sharing good news, and calming down after a row.

15 situations82 phrases
Cheering someone upB1–B2

A friend's feeling low and you want to lift their mood.

cheer upopen upfeeling down
Talking about stressB1

Opening up about a hard stretch and how you're coping.

seriously worriedget throughgo through
Sharing good newsB1

Telling someone something exciting and looking ahead.

look forward toI'm over the moon
Calming down after a rowB1–B2

Cooling off after an argument and making peace.

calm downblow upcalm down
Talking yourself out of quittingB1–C1

That wobbly moment when you're ready to pack it in and a mate talks you round.

give upgive in tolose interest
Facing up to something hardB1–B2

When you finally stop dodging it and admit how things really are.

face the truthlose controlface reality
Things that stir up feelingsB1–B2

An old song, a photo, a smell — and suddenly you're flooded with memories.

look back onput offbring back
Getting over a breakupB1–C1

When a friend's just been dumped and you're trying to help them through it.

get overmove onfall apart
Holding it together at workB1–B2

When you're close to tears at your desk and a colleague quietly steps in.

hold backbreak downyou'll get through this
Snapping out of a sulkB1–B2

When someone's been moody all day and a mate gives them a gentle nudge.

cheer upbrighten upgrow up
Talking down a panicking friendB1–B2

A mate is spiralling before something big. You help them breathe, prep, and feel ready.

stress outpsych yourself upkeep calm
When something is getting to youB1–B2

Something small has been quietly wearing you down. You finally admit it to a friend.

get toperk upget down
Someone keeps winding you upB1–C1

A colleague or sibling won't stop needling you. You vent, then talk yourself down.

wind upshy away fromlose your temper
Getting choked up at a big momentB1–B2

A wedding, a leaving do, an old photo — the emotion sneaks up on you and you well up.

choke upenjoy life
When it's all doing your head inB2–C1

Admin, noise, a confusing task — you've hit your limit and need to vent before you snap.

do your head insort out

Browse all 82 emotions & feelings phrases by level →

Multiple-meaning phrases in emotions & feelings

Same phrase, different jobs — compare the meanings before you use them.

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