Idioms: “Over the Moon”

by Greg and Ivy Cook on January 22, 2009

This idiom is a commonly used one.  Perhaps you have heard it before.  Do you know its meaning? If someone told you the sentence, “Oh, I’m over the moon today”, what would they mean?

For those of you who are not sure about the meaning, it means that that person is so happy (very happy, overjoyed).

Here are some examples…

I got my exam result this morning.  You know, I’m simply over the moon about it.  I can’t wait to tell my parents the good news.

Vincent is over the moon these days.  He just bought a new house.

Here’s a conversation example…

Photo Credit: A. Feldmannover-the-moon

Sheila: Jane, I’ve got some good news to tell you.

Jane: Really? I can’t wait.

Sheila: I’ve just been promoted! I’m now the head of the Sales Department at our headquarters.

Jane: Congratulations! I’m so happy for you.  You must be over the moon!

Sheila: Thanks.  Yes.   I guess I am over the moon.  You know, I’ve waited for this to happen for so long.  I still can’t believe that it’s finally happened.

Extra idiom practice…

There is a similar idiom which can be substituted for this one in sentences.  Can you guess it?

It’s ‘on cloud nine‘.  In fact, you can put ‘on cloud nine‘ in all of the above examples and still keep the original meaning.

Well, it’s now your turn to add some examples.  You’ve got two idioms to practise this time.  Keep them coming!

Tell your friends!
  • email
  • Print
  • TwitThis
  • StumbleUpon
  • Digg
  • Technorati
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • MySpace
  • IndianPad
  • LinkedIn
  • Haohao
  • Google Bookmarks

{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }

Mahesh January 24, 2009 at 2:46 pm

Hi………
I am mahesh from India. I am very over the moon. because this site is important for me. I want to learn more so I can speak more English. I am hoping you help me. Because my dream will be flying in the sky.
Thanking you.
M A H E S H.

Greg and Ivy Cook January 30, 2009 at 1:09 am

Hi Mahesh! We’re also over the moon when we hear such compliments from our readers. Please feel free to make full use of the site to improve your spoken English. Best wishes!

Pothi February 25, 2009 at 4:12 pm

I appreciate the efforts you have put upon this site. I’m going to recommend this site to many of my students in India. BTW, I’m a Spoken English Tutor in India. I wish you all the best!

Greg and Ivy Cook February 27, 2009 at 4:15 am

Dear Pothi, we’re extremely happy to receive such wonderful comments; especially from tutors. We hope that your students will find the site equally rewarding.

Md. Abir Hossain April 21, 2009 at 4:18 am

Hi ! This Abir from Bangladesh. I so much pleased to use this site. I think this site hepl me to speak english clearly. I have some problem , when I speaking english that time I feel nervous, how way I can remove my nervous when I speaking english.

====
Thanks,
Abir

Greg and Ivy Cook April 27, 2009 at 6:29 am

Hi Abir, practising your spoken English is the best way to overcome your nervousness. The more you practise speaking in English, the more confidence you can build. Best wishes with your English. Please don’t hesitate to ask us more questions.

eman June 22, 2009 at 4:39 am

hi
i liked your idioms , they are usable. but why don’t you add listening to these small conversations or mini dialogues i think it will be better for us
thanx alot
bye

Greg and Ivy Cook August 13, 2009 at 1:52 am

Thanks Eman for your suggestions. We’re glad that you like the idioms. We’ll look into putting audio versions of the dialogues.

Leave a Comment