People often show how they feel or think through their attitude. Attitude means the way someone acts or feels about things. Sometimes, people use special phrases called idioms to talk about attitude. Idioms are groups of words that mean something different from what the words say alone. They make talking more interesting and help us understand feelings better.
In this article, you will learn about idioms for attitude. These idioms describe different ways people behave or feel. Knowing these idioms can help you understand stories and conversations better. You will also see examples that make it easier to remember them.
Idioms for Attitude
1. Shoot for the stars
Meaning: To aim for a very high goal.
Samples: She shot for the stars and joined the science club. / I’m shooting for the stars by trying out for the basketball team.
To Put it Another Way: I want to reach a big goal. / I’m trying my hardest to succeed.
2. Starry-eyed
Meaning: Having big dreams or being very hopeful.
Samples: He was starry-eyed about becoming an astronaut. / She’s starry-eyed when she talks about her future.
To Put it Another Way: I dream a lot. / I feel very hopeful and excited.
3. Keep your chin up
Meaning: Stay positive even when things are hard.
Samples: Keep your chin up during the test. / She kept her chin up after losing the game.
To Put it Another Way: Don’t give up. / Stay hopeful.
4. Break the ice
Meaning: To start a conversation or make people feel comfortable.
Samples: He broke the ice by telling a funny joke. / She broke the ice at the new school by smiling.
To Put it Another Way: I started talking. / I helped people feel relaxed.
5. Put your best foot forward
Meaning: Try your best.
Samples: Put your best foot forward in the talent show. / He put his best foot forward during the presentation.
To Put it Another Way: Do your best. / Show your best side.
6. Wear your heart on your sleeve
Meaning: To show your feelings clearly.
Samples: She wears her heart on her sleeve when she’s happy. / He wears his heart on his sleeve when he’s sad.
To Put it Another Way: I show how I feel. / You can tell my feelings easily.
7. Keep your cool
Meaning: Stay calm.
Samples: She kept her cool during the noisy game. / Keep your cool when you feel nervous.
To Put it Another Way: Don’t get upset. / Stay calm.
8. Throw in the towel
Meaning: Give up.
Samples: He didn’t throw in the towel even when it was hard. / Don’t throw in the towel before you try.
To Put it Another Way: Stop trying. / Quit.
9. Bite your tongue
Meaning: Stop yourself from saying something.
Samples: She bit her tongue when she wanted to argue. / I had to bite my tongue not to shout.
To Put it Another Way: Don’t say it. / Keep quiet.
10. Get cold feet
Meaning: Feel nervous or scared before doing something.
Samples: He got cold feet before the big game. / She got cold feet at the talent show.
To Put it Another Way: I felt scared. / I was nervous.
11. On the fence
Meaning: Not sure about a decision.
Samples: I’m on the fence about going to the party. / She was on the fence about joining the club.
To Put it Another Way: I can’t decide. / I’m unsure.
12. Go the extra mile
Meaning: Try harder than needed.
Samples: He went the extra mile to help his friend. / She goes the extra mile to finish her homework.
To Put it Another Way: I work harder. / I do more than required.
13. Up in the air
Meaning: Not decided yet.
Samples: The plan for the trip is still up in the air. / Our project idea is up in the air.
To Put it Another Way: It’s not fixed. / We don’t know yet.
14. Bend over backward
Meaning: Try very hard to help someone.
Samples: She bent over backward to make her friend happy. / They bent over backward to finish the project on time.
To Put it Another Way: I try a lot. / I do my best to help.
15. Blow off steam
Meaning: Let out strong feelings by doing something active.
Samples: He blew off steam by playing basketball. / She blew off steam after the test.
To Put it Another Way: I got rid of stress. / I calmed down by moving.
16. Cold shoulder
Meaning: To ignore someone.
Samples: They gave him the cold shoulder after the argument. / She felt the cold shoulder from her classmates.
To Put it Another Way: They ignored me. / No one talked to me.
17. Face the music
Meaning: Accept the results of your actions.
Samples: He had to face the music after breaking the rules. / She faced the music for being late.
To Put it Another Way: Take responsibility. / Deal with the results.
18. Get a grip
Meaning: Control your feelings.
Samples: Get a grip before you speak. / She told him to get a grip and calm down.
To Put it Another Way: Stay calm. / Control yourself.
19. In hot water
Meaning: In trouble.
Samples: He was in hot water for missing the homework. / She got in hot water after lying.
To Put it Another Way: I’m in trouble. / I made a mistake.
20. Keep your eyes peeled
Meaning: Watch carefully.
Samples: Keep your eyes peeled for the teacher. / She kept her eyes peeled for the lost book.
To Put it Another Way: Watch closely. / Be alert.
21. On cloud nine
Meaning: Very happy.
Samples: He was on cloud nine after winning the game. / She felt on cloud nine after the party.
To Put it Another Way: I was very happy. / I felt great.
22. Out of line
Meaning: Saying or doing something wrong or rude.
Samples: He was out of line when he interrupted. / She was out of line by shouting.
To Put it Another Way: That was rude. / You shouldn’t do that.
23. Put someone in their place
Meaning: Show someone they are wrong or less important.
Samples: The teacher put him in his place for being rude. / She put the bully in his place.
To Put it Another Way: Show the truth. / Let them know their mistake.
24. Spill the beans
Meaning: Tell a secret.
Samples: Don’t spill the beans about the surprise party. / She spilled the beans about the gift.
To Put it Another Way: Tell the secret. / Let others know.
25. Take it easy
Meaning: Relax and don’t worry.
Samples: Take it easy before the test. / He told me to take it easy after practice.
To Put it Another Way: Calm down. / Don’t stress.
26. The ball is in your court
Meaning: It’s your decision now.
Samples: I told him the ball is in his court to choose. / She said the ball is in my court for the project.
To Put it Another Way: You decide. / It’s up to you.
27. Throw caution to the wind
Meaning: Take a risk without worrying.
Samples: He threw caution to the wind and tried the new sport. / She threw caution to the wind and spoke up.
To Put it Another Way: Take a chance. / Don’t worry about the risk.
28. Turn the tables
Meaning: Change a situation to your advantage.
Samples: He turned the tables by answering all questions. / She turned the tables in the game.
To Put it Another Way: Change the game. / Get the upper hand.
29. Bite the bullet
Meaning: Face something difficult bravely.
Samples: He bit the bullet and told the truth. / She bit the bullet and finished her homework.
To Put it Another Way: Be brave. / Do what’s hard.
30. Keep your head above water
Meaning: Manage to deal with problems.
Samples: He kept his head above water even when busy. / She kept her head above water with school and chores.
To Put it Another Way: Keep going. / Don’t give up.
Find the Topics: Idioms for Attitude
Last Friday, our class had a big school dance. Mia was feeling nervous because she was shooting for the stars by asking someone to dance. At first, she was a little starry-eyed, hoping everything would go well. Her friend Jason told her to keep her chin up no matter what happened.
When the music started, Mia tried to put her best foot forward and smiled at everyone. But then, she felt like she might get cold feet and not be able to dance. Jason reminded her to keep her cool and just have fun.
Later, Mia heard a secret about the dance and accidentally spilled the beans to her friends. She quickly said sorry because she didn’t want to cause trouble. At the end of the night, Mia felt like she was on cloud nine because she had a great time.
Can you underline or list all 8 idioms about attitude that you found in the story?
Answer Key
- Shooting for the stars
- Starry-eyed
- Keep your chin up
- Put your best foot forward
- Get cold feet
- Keep your cool
- Spill the beans
- On cloud nine
Conclusion
Idioms about attitude help us talk about how people feel and act in a fun way. They make stories and conversations more interesting. When you know these idioms, you can better understand what others mean. You can also use them to express your own feelings clearly. Using idioms like shooting for the stars or keeping your cool shows your thoughts in a simple and clear way.
