Exaggerated expressions: examples of when and how we use them

by | 21 Oct 2020 | General English, Grammar

The exaggerated expressions below are informal expressions that we use to make a point. We often use them in day to day English to communicate the intensity of feeling or activity in a positive or negative way. The important thing here is context; there could be times when the person speaking to us is actually very serious!

 

dying … (to very much want something ) + to + infinitive/+ article + noun

 

 

They are dying for a cup of tea

We are dying for a cake

I am dying to go on holiday

 

…to drive someone crazy (to make someone angry)

 

 

It drives me crazy when people don’t shut the door.

Sorry, I don’t want to drive you crazy but I was wondering if you could help me with this?

This weather does drive my father crazy.

 

..scared stiff (very scared)

 

 

There was a strange noise in the night downstairs. I was scared stiff lying in my bed.

After having bad headaches, Jim was cared stiff of the results of his brain scan.

She said she would be scared stiff of going to live in another country

 

..something weighs a ton (something is very heavy, but necessarily a ton)

 

 

My rucksack weighs a ton!

Ask the supermarket to deliver as the shopping bags weigh a ton.

I would imagine that when pregnant, you would weigh a ton.

 

To go out of your mind (to sorry a lot about something)

 

 

I have been going out of my mind. Where have you been?

Surely you would go out of your mind if you had to fight every day to survive.

To stop going out of her mind, she meditates every day.

 

To be over the moon (very happy)

 

 

Right now, she left her job and she is over the moon!

I am NOT over the moon at the moment as I have to find my keys. (note the negative here)

They are over the moon with their new apartment.

____

 

What are you dying for?

What are you scared stiff of?

 

What others do you know?

To Book A Free Trial ClassContact Us