Signification
Feeling extremely pleased or delighted about something.
Contexte culturel
In the UK, this phrase is so common in football interviews that it has become a bit of a cliché. Fans often expect players to say they are 'over the moon' after a win. On platforms like Instagram and Facebook, 'over the moon' is frequently used with emojis like 🌙, ✨, and 🚀 to announce engagements or new jobs. Most English-speaking children learn the phrase through the rhyme 'Hey Diddle Diddle,' which makes the idiom feel very familiar and 'friendly' to native speakers. While used in both, Americans might lean more towards 'on cloud nine,' whereas 'over the moon' is the undisputed king of happiness idioms in the UK and Australia.
Use it for others
It's a very polite and warm way to react to someone else's good news. 'Oh, you're engaged? I'm over the moon for you!'
Don't over-use it
If you are 'over the moon' about everything, the phrase loses its power. Save it for the big stuff!
Signification
Feeling extremely pleased or delighted about something.
Use it for others
It's a very polite and warm way to react to someone else's good news. 'Oh, you're engaged? I'm over the moon for you!'
Don't over-use it
If you are 'over the moon' about everything, the phrase loses its power. Save it for the big stuff!
Add 'Absolutely'
Native speakers almost always add 'absolutely' for emphasis. 'I'm absolutely over the moon!' sounds very natural.
British vs American
If you are in the UK, use this phrase. If you are in the US, you can use it, but 'on cloud nine' might sound slightly more local.
Teste-toi
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
When I found out I won the lottery, I was ________ the ________.
The standard idiom is 'over the moon.'
Which situation is most appropriate for using 'over the moon'?
Choose the best scenario:
'Over the moon' is reserved for major, high-intensity life events.
Choose the correct preposition to follow the idiom.
She is over the moon ________ her new puppy.
We typically use 'about' or 'with' to link the idiom to the cause of happiness.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
A: 'I heard you got the lead role in the play!' B: 'Yes! I'm ________!'
'Over the moon' fits the context of receiving great news.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Happiness Levels
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesWhen I found out I won the lottery, I was ________ the ________.
The standard idiom is 'over the moon.'
Choose the best scenario:
'Over the moon' is reserved for major, high-intensity life events.
She is over the moon ________ her new puppy.
We typically use 'about' or 'with' to link the idiom to the cause of happiness.
A: 'I heard you got the lead role in the play!' B: 'Yes! I'm ________!'
'Over the moon' fits the context of receiving great news.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsNo, it's informal/neutral. It's fine for the office, but not for a legal document.
No, that's not a standard idiom. Stick to 'moon'!
It's used in both, but it's much more common in British English.
They mean the same thing, but 'cloud nine' is more common in the US.
You can, but it might sound like you're being sarcastic.
Use 'to be' + 'over the moon' + 'about/with'. Example: 'I am over the moon about my new car.'
Not at all! It's used every day on social media and in news reports.
Only if you are talking about the nursery rhyme. For happiness, use 'He is over the moon.'
The opposite is 'down in the dumps' or 'gutted' (informal).
It comes from an old nursery rhyme about a cow jumping over the moon in joy.
It's better to say 'absolutely over the moon.'
Yes, to show you are excited about the company, but don't overdo it.
No! 'Once in a blue moon' means 'very rarely.'
Yes! 'I was over the moon when I heard the news.'
Expressions liées
On cloud nine
synonymExtremely happy.
Thrilled to bits
similarVery excited and pleased.
In seventh heaven
synonymA state of supreme happiness.
Down in the dumps
contrastFeeling very sad or depressed.
Chuffed
similarVery pleased.
Walking on air
similarFeeling very happy and light.
