Random Phrase Generator

This random phrase generator shows you a common English idiom or saying, what it means and how to use it. Press Next for another one, or switch to a list and browse.

Phrases and idioms 47

Feelings

over the moon

Meaning
Extremely happy.

Example
She was over the moon when she got the puppy.
Feelings

down in the dumps

Meaning
Sad or low in spirits.

Example
He's been down in the dumps since his best friend moved away.
Feelings

butterflies in your stomach

Meaning
A nervous, fluttery feeling before something important.

Example
I always get butterflies in my stomach before a performance.
Feelings

a lump in your throat

Meaning
A tight feeling in your throat when you are about to cry.

Example
The farewell speech gave everyone a lump in their throat.
Feelings

heart in your mouth

Meaning
Feeling very frightened or nervous.

Example
My heart was in my mouth as the climber reached for the ledge.
Feelings

get under someone's skin

Meaning
To annoy or bother someone a lot.

Example
The dripping faucet really gets under my skin.
Feelings

a shoulder to cry on

Meaning
Someone who listens and comforts you when you are sad.

Example
When I was upset, my sister was a shoulder to cry on.
Feelings

on top of the world

Meaning
Extremely happy and confident.

Example
After finishing the race, I felt on top of the world.
Feelings

feel blue

Meaning
To feel sad.

Example
Gray, rainy Sundays make me feel a bit blue.
Feelings

blow off steam

Meaning
To release strong feelings or energy in a harmless way.

Example
After the exam, we went for a run to blow off steam.
Feelings

lose your cool

Meaning
To become angry or upset and stop being calm.

Example
Even when the game was close, the coach never lost her cool.
Feelings

fly off the handle

Meaning
To suddenly become very angry.

Example
He flew off the handle when he found mud on the carpet.
Feelings

see red

Meaning
To become very angry.

Example
When someone cut in line, Grandma saw red.
Feelings

bent out of shape

Meaning
Upset or annoyed about something, often more than needed.

Example
Don't get bent out of shape over one bad grade.
Feelings

jump for joy

Meaning
To be extremely happy.

Example
The kids jumped for joy when they saw the snow.
Feelings

tickled pink

Meaning
Very pleased or delighted.

Example
My aunt was tickled pink by the handmade card.
Feelings

on edge

Meaning
Nervous and unable to relax.

Example
Waiting for the results kept everyone on edge.
Feelings

on pins and needles

Meaning
Nervous and anxious while waiting for something.

Example
We were on pins and needles until the vet came out with good news.
Feelings

a bundle of nerves

Meaning
A very nervous person.

Example
Before his first speech, Eli was a bundle of nerves.
Feelings

green with envy

Meaning
Very jealous.

Example
My friends were green with envy when they saw my new skates.
Feelings

my heart sank

Meaning
I suddenly felt disappointed or worried.

Example
My heart sank when I saw the rain on the morning of the trip.
Feelings

beside yourself

Meaning
Overwhelmed by a strong emotion such as worry or joy.

Example
She was beside herself with worry when the cat didn't come home.
Feelings

in seventh heaven

Meaning
Extremely happy.

Example
With a good book and a hot chocolate, he was in seventh heaven.
Feelings

walking on air

Meaning
Feeling very happy and excited.

Example
After the good news, I was walking on air all day.
Feelings

hot under the collar

Meaning
Angry or embarrassed.

Example
He got hot under the collar when people laughed at his idea.
Feelings

keep a stiff upper lip

Meaning
To stay calm and hide your feelings during a difficult time.

Example
She kept a stiff upper lip during the long wait at the hospital.
Feelings

bottle up your feelings

Meaning
To hide your feelings instead of talking about them.

Example
It's better to talk to someone than to bottle up your feelings.
Feelings

wear your heart on your sleeve

Meaning
To show your feelings openly.

Example
Jamie wears his heart on his sleeve, so you always know when he's happy.
Feelings

have mixed feelings

Meaning
To feel both good and bad about something.

Example
I have mixed feelings about moving to a new town.
Feelings

a weight off your shoulders

Meaning
The relief you feel when a worry is gone.

Example
Finishing the essay was a weight off my shoulders.

What the random phrase generator does

English is full of phrases that don't mean what their words say. Spill the beans has nothing to do with cooking, and nobody actually breaks the ice at a party. Each card shows a phrase from our own bank, a plain explanation of what it means, and an example sentence that shows it in use.

We wrote every meaning and example ourselves, in simple words, so the explanation is easier to follow than the phrase.

How to use it

Pick a category with the chips if you want to narrow the bank down.
Choose how many to show. One phrase at a time, or several together.
Press Next (or the Space bar) for a new phrase.
Read the meaning and the example under each phrase.
Copy it with the copy button, or switch to list view to browse lots of phrases at once.

Ways to use random phrases

Learning English idioms

Idioms are one of the hardest parts of English, because you can't work them out from the words. Learn one a day: read the meaning, say the example out loud, then make up your own sentence.

Writing natural dialogue

Real people talk in idioms. Dropping the right saying into a character's speech makes dialogue sound natural – just don't let every line lean on one.

Classroom idiom lessons

Ask students to draw the literal meaning of a phrase – an actual cat being let out of an actual bag – and then explain what it really means. The drawings are always a hit.

Guess-the-meaning game

Read a phrase aloud and let everyone guess what it means before you read the answer. It works for family game night, a language class or a long car ride.

Act it out

Common phrases make great charades: act out the literal meaning and let the others guess the saying. Our charades generator has plenty more to act.

Story titles and prompts

Many sayings make perfect story titles. Pick one and write a short story that ends with the phrase as the last line.

Tips for better results

Learn the example, not just the meaning. Seeing a phrase in a sentence shows you when and how people really use it.
Use it within a day. Try a new idiom in conversation or in a message soon after you learn it.
Draw it. Sketching the literal meaning of an idiom is a memorable way to learn the real one.
Keep it casual. Most idioms are informal, so save them for stories, chats and speeches rather than formal essays.
Pair with sentences. The random sentence generator gives you whole sentences to practice with, from simple to silly.

Questions

What is an idiom?

An idiom is a phrase whose meaning is different from the meaning of its words. Break the ice means to help people relax and start talking, not to smash anything.

What is the difference between a phrase, an idiom and a saying?

A phrase is any small group of words. An idiom is a phrase with a figurative meaning, and a saying is a short, well-known piece of advice or wisdom, like better late than never.

Are these common phrases people really use?

Yes. The bank focuses on common phrases and idioms you are likely to hear in everyday English, each explained in plain words.

Why are idioms hard to learn?

Because their meaning is not the sum of their words. You have to learn each one as a whole, which is why seeing the meaning and an example together helps.

Can I use this to learn English idioms?

Yes. Every phrase comes with its meaning and an example sentence, which makes it a handy daily study tool for English learners.

Who wrote the meanings and examples?

We did. All meanings and example sentences are original and written for this site.

Can I see a list of idioms?

Yes. Switch to list view to browse many phrases at once, or choose how many to show on the page.

Is the random phrase generator free?

Yes, free with no sign-up. The site sets no cookies and doesn't track you.

Last updated October 2, 2026