Idioms and metaphors – Happiness is Yellow

Idioms and metaphors – Happiness is Yellow

by | Dec 30, 2024 | Learn more words

Sorry, but lessons on The Blue Tree work only on a computer or a tablet.

Bardzo mi przykro, ale lekcje na platformie The Blue Tree działają jedynie na komputerze lub tablecie.

Do zobaczenia na większym ekranie 🙂

Zespół The Blue Tree

back to HOME > Learning English > Learn more words >
Idioms and metaphors – Happiness is Yellow
Learn more words

THE BLUE TREE

Learn Words

CEF B1

CEFR B2

Upper
Intermediate

Practise speaking by describing this picture

warm up

Answer the questions below. Listen to sample answers. Read the transcript.
Share with the class a happy memory. What is it about? Why is it special for you?
TRANSCRIPT
A happy memory for me is when I went to the beach with my family last summer. We spent the whole day swimming, playing volleyball, and having a barbecue. It was special because we don’t often have time to be together like that, and the weather was perfect. I felt really relaxed and full of joy.
How do you define happiness? What does being happy mean to you?
TRANSCRIPT
For me, happiness is about inner balance. I’ve learned from the Stoics that it doesn’t depend on external things like money or success. It’s more about how we respond to what happens in life. If I can stay calm and accept things I can’t control, I feel at peace. That’s what being happy means to me — it’s a state of mind, not something you get from outside.
Is being happy the same as being successful?
TRANSCRIPT
No, I don’t think being happy is the same as being successful. Success often depends on achievements, money, or status, but happiness is something deeper. You can have everything and still not feel happy. For me, happiness comes from feeling content and at peace with myself, while success is more about reaching goals. They’re both important, but they don’t always go together.

STUDY SECTION

Happy moments

Alita and Pete are chatting about some happy moments in their lives. Listen to and read their dialogue. Role play it, if possible.

Notice the language in bold. These are idioms and metaphors of happiness we will be learning in this lesson.

HOLIDAYS IN THE SUN

Alita: Hey Pete, do you remember that day when we went to the beach and the sun was shining so bright?

Pete: Yeah, that was a great day! I was feeling so cheerful and in a good mood.

Alita: You were definitely cheery! I remember you couldn’t stop grinning from ear to ear.

Pete: Haha, I know! I was so thrilled to be there. It really made my day.

Alita: I was feeling the same way. The whole atmosphere just raised our spirits.

Pete: I was over the moon when we found that spot under the palm trees. It was perfect.

Alita: Yeah, and when we went for a swim in the ocean, I felt so delighted.

Pete: I remember you couldn’t stop talking about it afterwards. You were happy as can be.

Alita: It was just one of those moments that you want to gloat about. I’m so glad we got to experience it together.

moving in

Alita: Pete, can you believe it? We’re finally moving into our own place!

Pete: I know, Alita! I’m absolutely over the moon about it. I’ve been grinning like a Cheshire cat all day.

Alita: Me too! When I walked through the door earlier, I felt like I was on cloud nine. This flat is everything we dreamed of!

Pete: And unpacking these boxes together—it’s strangely fun. It’s like unwrapping a gift that keeps on giving.

Alita: Totally! When we set up the sofa in the living room, I felt like the cat that got the cream. It fits perfectly.

Pete: Yeah, and the kitchen! When I saw how much storage space we have, I felt like I’d hit the jackpot.

Alita: And don’t even get me started on the view from the balcony. It’s like having a front-row seat to happiness.

Pete: Every detail just lights me up inside. I can’t wait to host our first dinner party here. It’ll be the icing on the cake.

Alita: Agreed! This flat already feels like home. I’m so happy I could burst!

Pete: Same here, Alita. Here’s to a new chapter filled with joy and plenty of good vibes.

THE FIRST BABY

Alita: Pete, can you believe it? We’re going to be parents!

Pete: I know, Alita! I’m still trying to wrap my head around it. I’m absolutely euphoric.

Alita: Me too. When the doctor confirmed it, I felt this blissful wave of joy. It’s hard to describe, but I was glowing from the inside out.

Pete: I noticed! You’ve been walking around like the happiest camper ever since.

Alita: How could I not? Just thinking about our little one makes my heart skip a beat.

Pete: Same here. I’m as happy as a clam. The idea of becoming a dad fills me with so much joy, I can’t stop smiling.

Alita: And when we picked out that tiny onesie yesterday, I felt like I was floating on air. It made everything feel so real.

Pete: I know what you mean. Seeing you so happy is like sunshine after a storm.

Alita: This journey feels so special, Pete. I’m overjoyed to share it with you.

Pete: Me too, Alita. We’re starting a beautiful chapter, and I couldn’t be more delighted about what’s ahead.

HAPPY FLASHCARDS

Go through the flashcards. Learn the idioms and metaphros of happiness.

PRACTICE

WHAT’S THE MEANING

Complete the quiz below. Choose the best answer for each of the 15 items.

If you score more than 60%, you will receive a beautiful certificate.

IDIOMS AND METAPHORS
Decide what is the best answer in each of the 15 items in this quiz.
If you score more than 60%, you will receive a beautiful certificate.

1. Which phrase means "to be extremely happy and showing it on your face"?
2. What does "made my day" mean?
3. "Over the moon" is closest in meaning to:
4. If someone is "on cloud nine," they are:
5. "Pure bliss" describes:
6. What does "walking on air" mean?
7. If something "warms your heart," it:
8. "Finding a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow" implies:
9. "On top of the world" is used to describe:
10. "In seventh heaven" means:
11. "A little piece of paradise" refers to:
12. What does "like sunshine on a cloudy day" mean?
13. "The cherry on top" signifies:
14. "The cat that got the cream" describes someone who:
15. "Hit the jackpot" means:

FILL IN THE GAPS

Complete the sentence below with the idioms and metaphors of happiness. 

If you score more than 60%, you will receive a beautiful certificate.

IDIOMS AND MEATPHORS
Happiness is Yellow

Fill in the gaps.

1.

A: Hi, Jules, you look like a camper? What happened?
B: She said "Yes", Jules agreed to marry me!

2.

A: After hearing the news, I felt like I was walking on .
B: That must have been an amazing moment!

3.

A: Look at her smile! She’s grinning from ear to .
B: She must have received great news.

4.

A: Winning this prize really made my .
B: Congratulations! You deserve it.

5.

A: When they announced the promotion, I was over the .
B: That’s fantastic!

6.

A: This view is pure .
B: It’s so peaceful and beautiful.

7.

A: Your story really warms my .
B: Thank you, it means a lot to me.

8.

A: Discovering that hidden gem was like finding a pot of at the end of the rainbow.
B: What a special experience!

9.

A: When I achieved my goal, I felt on top of the .
B: What an accomplishment!

10.

A: After hearing the good news, I was in seventh .
B: You look so excited!

11.

A: That secluded beach felt like a little piece of .
B: I’d love to visit it someday.

12.

A: Your support is like sunshine on a day.
B: I’m glad I could help.

13.

A: That sunset was the cherry on of our trip.
B: It really was the perfect ending.

14.

A: When I solved the puzzle, I felt like the cat that got the .
B: You must be so proud of yourself.

15.

A: I’m so happy I could !
B: Your excitement is contagious.

FREE PRACTICE

Use the language in this lesson to practise talking/writing about happy moments in your life. 

Paste your story in the comments below.

LESSON GLOSSARY

Idiom/Metaphor Polish Translation English Example
grinning from ear to earuśmiechać się od ucha do uchaShe was grinning from ear to ear when she got the job.
made my dayzrobiło mi dzieńThat compliment really made my day.
raised our spiritspodniosło nas na duchuThe kind words raised our spirits after a tough week.
over the moonw siódmym niebieHe was over the moon when he won the competition.
happy as can beszczęśliwy jak nigdyI'm happy as can be about the results!
pure blissczysta błogośćThat peaceful afternoon was pure bliss.
walking on airchodzić jak w chmurachAfter hearing the good news, I was walking on air.
warms your heartrozgrzewa serceThis story always warms your heart.
finding a pot of gold at the end of the rainbowznaleźć garniec złota na końcu tęczyDiscovering that hidden café was like finding a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
on top of the worldna szczycie świataI felt on top of the world after finishing the marathon.
in seventh heavenw siódmym niebieWhen I got the promotion, I was in seventh heaven.
a little piece of paradisekawałek rajuThat secluded beach felt like a little piece of paradise.
sunshine on a cloudy daypromień słońca w pochmurny dzieńHer kindness was like sunshine on a cloudy day.
the cherry on topwisienka na torcieThat beautiful sunset was the cherry on top of a perfect day.
grinning like a Cheshire catuśmiechać się jak kot z CheshireHe walked in grinning like a Cheshire cat.
on cloud ninew siódmym niebieI was on cloud nine after the surprise party.
the cat that got the creamjak kot, który zjadł śmietanęShe looked like the cat that got the cream after solving the puzzle.
hit the jackpottrafić w dziesiątkęWinning that contest felt like hitting the jackpot.
front-row seat to happinessmiejsce w pierwszym rzędzie do szczęściaThe balcony view gives you a front-row seat to happiness.
lights me up insiderozświetla mnie od środkaHer smile lights me up inside every time.
the icing on the cakewisienka na torcieThe successful launch was the icing on the cake.
so happy I could bursttak szczęśliwy, że aż pęknęI was so happy I could burst when I heard the news.
euphoriceuforycznyHe felt euphoric after the birth of his daughter.
blissfulbłogiShe was blissful as she listened to her favorite song.
happy camperszczęśliwiecHe's a happy camper with his new promotion.
glowing from the inside outpromienieć od środkaShe was glowing from the inside out after her big win.
as happy as a clamszczęśliwy jak małżaThey looked as happy as a clam in their new house.
floating on airunosić się w powietrzuFloating on air, she celebrated her success.
sunshine after a stormsłońce po burzyHis words were like sunshine after a storm.
overjoyedprzepełniony radościąI'm overjoyed to hear about your achievement.
Idiom/MetaphorPolish TranslationEnglish Example

COMMENTS

When did you feel the happiest? Share with The Blue Tree the story of your happiest moment.
How to be happy in English

How to be happy in English

by | Jul 10, 2019 | Learn more words

Sorry, but lessons on The Blue Tree work only on a computer or a tablet.

Bardzo mi przykro, ale lekcje na platformie The Blue Tree działają jedynie na komputerze lub tablecie.

Do zobaczenia na większym ekranie 🙂

Zespół The Blue Tree

back to HOME > Learning English > Learn more words >
How to be happy in English
Learn more words

THE BLUE TREE

Learn Words

CEF B1

CEFR B2

Upper
Intermediate

Practise speaking by describing this picture

warm up

Answer the questions below. Listen to sample answers. Read the transcript.
Share with the class a happy memory. What is it about? Why is it special for you?
TRANSCRIPT
A happy memory for me is when I went to the beach with my family last summer. We spent the whole day swimming, playing volleyball, and having a barbecue. It was special because we don’t often have time to be together like that, and the weather was perfect. I felt really relaxed and full of joy.
How do you define happiness? What does being happy mean to you?
TRANSCRIPT
For me, happiness is about inner balance. I’ve learned from the Stoics that it doesn’t depend on external things like money or success. It’s more about how we respond to what happens in life. If I can stay calm and accept things I can’t control, I feel at peace. That’s what being happy means to me — it’s a state of mind, not something you get from outside.
Is being happy the same as being successful?
TRANSCRIPT
No, I don’t think being happy is the same as being successful. Success often depends on achievements, money, or status, but happiness is something deeper. You can have everything and still not feel happy. For me, happiness comes from feeling content and at peace with myself, while success is more about reaching goals. They’re both important, but they don’t always go together.

STUDY SECTION

THESAURUS: happy and related words

Study the words and expressions related to being happy.

FEELING HAPPY
  1. Content: She was content with her life and didn’t feel like she needed anything else.
  2. Blissful: They spent a blissful day at the beach, soaking up the sun and playing in the waves.
  3. Radiant: Her smile was radiant and infectious, lighting up the entire room.
  4. Joyful: The children were joyful and giggling as they played together in the park.
  5. Cheerful: The cheerful music made everyone feel happy and energized.
  6. Jovial: He had a jovial personality and was always making people laugh.
  7. Euphoric: She felt euphoric after completing her first marathon, a feeling of immense happiness and accomplishment.
  8. Merry: The holiday season always made her feel merry and excited for the festivities.
  9. Pleased: He was pleased with the results of his hard work and dedication to his job.
  10. Satisfied: She felt satisfied with her meal, knowing that she had eaten a healthy and delicious dinner.
very happy
  1. Overjoyed: She was overjoyed when she found out she got the job.
  2. Thrilled: He was thrilled to hear that his book had been published.
  3. Delighted: The children were delighted to see the circus come to town.
  4. Grinning from ear to ear: She was grinning from ear to ear when she saw her surprise birthday party.
  5. On cloud nine: He was on cloud nine after proposing to his girlfriend and she said yes.
  6. Jumping for joy: The children were jumping for joy when they found out they were going to Disney World.
  7. Walking on air: She was walking on air after receiving a promotion at work.
  8. Bursting with happiness: He was bursting with happiness when he saw his newborn baby for the first time.
  9. Feeling on top of the world: She was feeling on top of the world after completing her first marathon.
  10. In seventh heaven: She was in seventh heaven after receiving tickets to her favorite band’s concert.
MAKE SOMEONE FEEL HAPPY
  1. make somebody happy: He would do anything to make her happy.
  2. cheer up: I tried to cheer him up by telling a joke.
  3. make somebody’s day: Sherry’s phone call really made my day.
  4. put somebody in a good mood: Shopping for new shoes usually puts her in a good mood.
  5. raise somebody’s spirits: The chance to get out of the house for a few hours had clearly raised her spirits.
HAPPY + NOUN
  1. Happy hour: Let’s meet at the bar for happy hour and enjoy some discounted drinks.
  2. Happy ending: The movie had a happy ending, with the main character finding true love.
  3. Happy couple: The happy couple announced their engagement and set a date for their wedding.
  4. Happy medium: It’s important to find a happy medium between work and leisure time.
  5. Happy accident: The discovery of penicillin was a happy accident that revolutionized medicine.
  6. Happy-go-lucky: He had a happy-go-lucky personality and always saw the bright side of things.
  7. Happy camper: The children were happy campers, enjoying all the activities and games at summer camp.
  8. Happy place: The beach was her happy place, where she could relax and unwind.
  9. Happy dance: She did a happy dance when she found out she had been accepted into her dream school.
  10. Happy tune: The cheerful melody of the happy tune made everyone want to dance and sing along.
ADVERB + HAPPY
  1. Quite happy: He was quite happy with the results of his exam, but knew he could do better.
  2. Extremely happy: The couple was extremely happy on their wedding day, surrounded by family and friends.
  3. Incredibly happy: She was incredibly happy to see her sister after months of being apart.
  4. Somewhat happy: She was somewhat happy with her new haircut, but thought it could have been a bit shorter.
  5. Relatively happy: He was relatively happy with his progress in learning a new language.
  6. Moderately happy: The movie reviews were moderately happy, with some critics giving it high praise and others finding faults.
  7. Reasonably happy: She was reasonably happy with her salary, but hoped to negotiate a raise in the future.
  8. Mildly happy: He was mildly happy with the gift, but was hoping for something a bit more exciting.

PRACTICE

MULTIDECKER FLASHCARDS

Play this flashcard game. Decide which category each word or expression should go to.

SAMPLE SENTENCES

Let’s revise these words and expressions for being happy once again.

Complete the sentences below with the same words which were used in the examples (in toggles).


Ready. Steady. GO!

1. 

He would do anything to make her .

2. 

She greeted us with a smile.

3. 

Carla seems pretty much with her life.

4. 

“That was quite a performance,” he said, looking .

5. 

We were all when it was time to go home.

6. 

I hate to , you guys, but I told you it wouldn’t work.

7. 

She was at the possibility of being sent to Europe.

8. 

When she discovered she’d got the job she was over the .


Well done! You're almost there!

9. 

We received news that she will recover.

10. 

I tried to him up by telling a joke.

11. 

Sherry’s phone call really my day.

Happy stories

Complete three stories of Kat, Sven, and Alita. Each story has language of talking about feeling happy.

OVER TO YOU

Create your own story about a happy moment. Use the language from this lesson. Submit your story in the comments section.

LESSON GLOSSARY

How to be happy in English

wdt_ID ITEM MEANING
1cheerfulradosny, pogodny, wesoły
2be in a good moodbyć w dobrym nastroju
3contentzadowolony, rad
4cheeryradosny, wesoły
5pleasedzadowolony, usatysfakcjonowany
6gladzadowolony (szczęśliwy z jakiegoś powodu)
7be tickledszaleć z radości
8gloatnapawać się, chełpić się, triumfować
9delightedzachwycony, uszczęśliwiony
10thrilledbardzo szczęśliwy
11be on top of the worldczuć się jak w niebie, być wniebowziętym
12be over the moonnieposiadający się ze szczęścia, bardzo zadowolony
13joyfuluradowany, szczęśliwy, radosny
14radiantrozpromieniony
15make somebody happyuszczęśliwić kogoś
16cheer uppocieszać kogoś, rozweselać kogoś, dodawać otuchy komuś
17make somebody's daysprawić, że dzień będzie lepszy dla kogoś, poprawić komuś humor
18put somebody in a good moodpoprawić komuś humor
19raise somebody's spiritspoprawić komuś nastrój, podnieść kogoś na duchu
20a happy endingszczęśliwe zakończenie
21a happy coupleszczęśliwa para
22blissfullybłogo
23reasonably happyw miatę, całkiem szczęsliwy
24happy as can betak szczęśliwy, jak tylko można
ITEMMEANING

COMMENTS

When did you feel the happiest? Share with The Blue Tree the story of your happiest moment.
Rich and Poor

Rich and Poor

by | Jul 9, 2019 | Learn more words

Sorry, but lessons on The Blue Tree work only on a computer or a tablet.

Bardzo mi przykro, ale lekcje na platformie The Blue Tree działają jedynie na komputerze lub tablecie.

Do zobaczenia na większym ekranie 🙂

Zespół The Blue Tree

back to HOME > Learning English > Learn more words >

Rich and Poor
Learn more words

THE BLUE TREE

Learn Words

CEF B1

CEFR B1

Intermediate

warm up

Answer the question below.

  • What’s your attitude to money?
  • Are you good with money? Can you manage your money well?
  • How would your life change if you were filthy rich?
Rich and poor

STUDY SECTION

Study the words and expressions for talking about wealth and poverty. 

WORDS MEANING RICH
  • wealthy
    She comes from a wealthy family, who own houses in London and Paris.
  • prosperous
    After the war, Germany became one of Europe’s most prosperous countries.
  • well-to-do
    He wants to find a husband from a well-to-do background for his daughter.
  • comfortably off
    When the children were small we never had much money, but now we seem to be comfortably off.
  • affluent
    As people become more affluent, so their standard and style of living improves.
EXTREMELY RICH
  • be loaded
    Did you know Peter has three houses? He must be loaded.
  • be rolling in it
    Don’t worry about him. He’s rolling in it. Clearly, he can afford to pay for it.
  • stinking rich
    This gorgeous woman walked in, beautifully dressed and obviously stinking rich.
  • filthy rich
    Gregory is filthy rich but he never gives a penny to charity.
  • be worth a fortune
    The Chief Executive started her career as a secretary, and now she’s worth millions.
  • have money to burn
    Every time I see her she’s wearing something new. She must have money to burn.
PERSON WHO IS RICH
  • fat cat
    A very rich and powerful person, usually in business or politics
    Why should those fat cats get rich at our expense?
  • new money
    People who have recently become rich
    He’s not quite sure who the Joyces are, because they are new money.
  • tycoon
    A rich and powerful person who is involved in business or industry
    Tapie, business tycoon and football club owner, was appointed Minister for Cities.
  • be born with a silver spoon in the mouth
    To be rich because you come from a rich family
    You can hardly know what it means to be poor as you were born with a silver spoon in your mouth. 
  • to live in the lap of luxury
    To live in very comfortable and expensive conditions
    After winning the reward for the best salesperson, we spent two weeks in the hotel living in the lap of luxury.
TO BECOME RICH
  • make good
    He’s a local boy made good.
  • marry into money
    Sue married into money when she found the Sheik. 
  • go from rags to riches
    America is full of stories of people who went from rags to riches. 
  • be set up for life
    After winning the lottery, Rob is set up for life. Provided, he manages his money well. 
  • to strike it rich
    Jack has struck it rich when he launched the social media site. 
OTHER MEANINGS OF RICH
  • large amount
    Citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C.
  • full of interest
    The area has a very rich history.
  • food that has a lot of taste
    The sauce was very rich.
  • colours that are bright and vivid
    A rich dark brown colour.
HAVING LITTLE MONEY
  • poor
    She was born in a poor district of Chicago in 1925.
  • badly off
    She was quite badly off for a while after her husband died.
  • impoverished
    His family became so impoverished they were forced to sell the farm.
  • destitute
    The rest of her family all died in a smallpox epidemic, leaving her destitute.
NOT HAVE MONEY AT THE MOMENT
  • hard up
    I’m a little hard up just now – can I pay you back next week?
  • broke
    We’re always broke at the end of the month.
  • skint
    I’m really skint – you couldn’t lend me a few quid could you?
  • be down-on-your-luck
    In the film, Williams plays a down-on-his-luck salesman whose wife has left him.
FEWER LIFE OPPORTUNITIES
  • disadvantaged
    Quinn argued that an increase in the minimum wage would help the most disadvantaged Americans.
  • deprived
    Children growing up in deprived areas are far more likely to turn to crime and drug abuse.

PRACTICE

Complete the flashcard exercise below. Decide if the word on the card describes somebody who is rich or poor. Flip the card to see an example sentence. 

TEST

Let’s see how well you remember these words and expressions for rich and poor. Complete these sentences with the words from the example you read and listened to.

Score more than 80% and get a beautiful certificate!

UPS! Ta sekcja jest dostępna tylko dla moich uczniów. Zapraszam na wyjątkowe lekcje angielskiego online lub na Mokotowie w Warszawie. Napisz do mnie na hi@thebluetree i umów się na darmową lekcję próbną.
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DISCUSSION

Answer the question below. Try using vocabulary from the lesson.

  • Are there more pros or cons in being prosperous?
  • Should well-off people pay more taxes?
  • If you had money to burn, what would you spend it on?
  • Does money change people? What happens to people when they become rich in a relatively short time?
  • Is it possible to be happy on little money?
  • Have you ever heard anybody who was rich but lost their fortune? What happened?

LESSON GLOSSARY

Rich or Poor

COMMENTS

Build some sentences to illustrate the meanings of words which were new from this lesson.