What does the idiom "not believe one's eyes" mean?

It means to be utterly astonished, as if you cannot accept what is plainly in front of you. You use it when something visible genuinely shocks you. A natural example is greeting someone whose appearance has changed dramatically: "Kate, is it you? I don't believe my eyes! You look different!" It signals surprise rather than literal disbelief about your eyesight.

Which English idioms express surprise at an unexpected event?

Two strong options both react to surprising news. "That's a turn-up for the books!" fits something nobody predicted, such as "I never thought she'd get the job." "You could have knocked me down with a feather!" carries the same shocked meaning, as in learning a friend married last month without telling anyone. Both are interchangeable when an event catches you off guard.

How do you use "avoid someone like the plague" correctly?

You use it when steering completely clear of a person or thing you find extremely bothersome or unpleasant. The plague comparison stresses how strongly you want to keep your distance. A typical sentence is "After that awkward situation, Susan avoids me like the plague," showing deliberate, ongoing avoidance rather than a single brief moment of dodging someone.

What is the difference between "cut someone down to size" and "have a go at someone"?

Both involve criticism but differ in purpose. "Cut someone down to size" means criticising a person so they stop thinking too highly of themselves, as with "He was conceited, so I had to cut him down to size." "Have a go at someone" simply means to criticise harshly, often in the moment, like "Don't be so sensitive, I'm not having a go at you."

Why do idioms of emotion feel hard to memorise?

They feel confusing or frustrating mainly because learners try to translate them literally or have not found a memorising technique that suits them. Idioms rarely mean what the individual words suggest, so rote repetition alone struggles. Studying each expression with its meaning and a full example sentence, then reusing it in your own speech, makes these emotional phrases stick far more reliably.

When would you say "you could have knocked me down with a feather"?

You say it the moment something unexpected leaves you stunned, expressing that even the lightest touch could have toppled you because the news was so surprising. For instance, discovering a friend got married last month without any warning fits perfectly. It is a vivid, slightly dramatic way to convey complete astonishment in casual conversation.

English Idioms Of Emotion

International English Test Editorial Team·28 Dec 2023·2 min read

In daily life, we face diverse emotions. To express ourselves better, knowing idioms for surprise, sadness, and more is crucial.

Today, we’ll explore English idioms related to emotions, particularly those expressing dislike or surprise. If you find learning idioms confusing or frustrating, it’s likely you haven’t discovered the right technique for memorizing them. English idioms serve as valuable expressions, adding color and sophistication to our language.

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Not believe one’s eyes

Meaning: To be utterly astonished, as if unable to believe what is visibly present.
Example: Kate, is it you? I don’t believe my eyes! You look different!

That’s a turn-up for the books!

Meaning: An expression commonly uttered in response to a surprising or unexpected event.
Example: I never thought she’d get the job. That’s a turn-up for the books!

You could have knocked me down with a feather!

Meaning: An alternative expression commonly used in response to a surprising or unexpected event.
Example: I had no idea she got married last month, you could have knocked me with a feather!

Avoid someone/something like the plague

Meaning: To steer clear of someone or something perceived as extremely bothersome.
Example: After that awkward situation, Susan avoids me like the plague.

Cut someone down to size

Meaning: To critique someone in a way that prevents them from thinking too highly of themselves
Example: He was conceited, so I had to cut him down to size.

Have a go at someone

Meaning: To harshly criticize someone.
Example: Don’t be so sensitive, I’m not having a go at you.

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International English Test Editorial Team

ALTE Associate Member · UK English assessment provider · Est. 2023

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