IELTS VOCABULARY

In high spirits

Meaning: Cheerful, in a good mood

Example: Despite the rain, everyone was in high spirits at the party.

Walking on air

Meaning: Feeling very happy and light

Example: After the wedding, the couple was walking on air.

Butterflies in my stomach

Meaning: Feeling nervous or anxious

Example: I had butterflies in my stomach before my presentation.

Down in the dumps

Meaning: Feeling very sad or depressed

Example: He’s been down in the dumps since he lost his job.

Lose your temper

Meaning: To suddenly get very angry

Example: My father lost his temper when he saw the broken window.

Cry over spilled milk

Meaning: To be upset about something that cannot be changed

Example: I know you made a mistake, but don’t cry over spilled milk.

At a loss for words

Meaning: Unable to say anything because of shock, surprise, or emotion

Example: I was at a loss for words when I heard the unexpected news.

A rollercoaster of emotions

Meaning: Experiencing many different emotions quickly

Example: Watching the movie was a rollercoaster of emotions—happy, sad, and exciting.

Get cold feet

Meaning: To suddenly feel nervous about something important

Example: She got cold feet before her wedding but went ahead anyway.

Break someone’s heart

Meaning: To cause deep emotional pain

Example: It broke his heart when his best friend moved abroad.