Emotions & Reactions

Slang for expressing feelings and reactions in American English

Introduction

Americans have a colourful vocabulary for describing how they feel. Whether you're bummed out, stoked, or totally freaking out, there's a slang word for every emotion.

This chapter explores the most common American slang for expressing emotions and reactions — from excitement and surprise to frustration and disappointment.

Themes

All American Slang & Idioms in This Chapter (89)

• Bummed out Feeling disappointed, let down, or mildly sad about something.
• Freaking out Panicking, losing composure, or reacting with extreme emotion — can be negati...
• Salty Feeling bitter, upset, or resentful, especially about something minor or a pe...
• Shook Shocked, stunned, or deeply affected by something surprising or emotional.
• Butthurt Overly offended or upset about something trivial, often with an implication o...
• Heated Very angry, furious, or intensely agitated about something.
• Hyped Extremely excited, pumped up, or eagerly anticipating something.
• Pissed off Very angry, furious, or extremely annoyed.
• Psyched Very excited, thrilled, or eagerly looking forward to something.
• Amped up Energized, excited, or charged up with enthusiasm or adrenaline.
• Fired up Extremely motivated, passionate, or excited about something, often with a com...
• Pressed Upset, bothered, or overly concerned about something, often more than the sit...
• Tight Angry, annoyed, or upset about something (emotional sense). Can also mean clo...
• Ticked off Annoyed, irritated, or mildly angry about something.
• Bent out of shape Overly upset, offended, or agitated about something, usually something that d...
• Losing it Losing composure, self-control, or sanity — can mean laughing uncontrollably,...
• Flipping out Reacting with extreme emotion — panicking, getting very angry, or becoming wi...
• Blown away Extremely impressed, amazed, or astonished by something.
• On edge Feeling anxious, nervous, or tense, as if something bad might happen.
• Worked up Emotionally agitated, upset, or excited to a point of visible distress or int...
• Wound up Tense, stressed, or agitated — like a spring that's been tightly coiled.
• Cranky Irritable, grumpy, or easily annoyed, often due to tiredness or hunger.
• I'm dead An exclamation meaning something is so funny, shocking, or unbelievable that ...
• Dying Laughing hysterically or reacting with extreme emotion — so intense you can b...
• Big mad Very angry — emphasizing the intensity of someone's anger, often with a mocki...
• Extra Being dramatic, over the top, or doing too much — more than a situation calls...
• Catch feelings To develop unexpected romantic or emotional attachment to someone, especially...
• In my feels Being deeply emotional, reflective, or sentimental — often triggered by music...
• Having a meltdown Experiencing an emotional breakdown, losing control of emotions, or becoming ...
• Snap To suddenly lose your temper or composure, breaking from a calm state into an...
• Crushed Feeling devastated, heartbroken, or deeply disappointed, as if something has ...
• Bugging out Freaking out, acting irrationally, or being extremely surprised or upset abou...
• Tripping Overreacting, being irrational, or making a big deal out of nothing.
• Sketched out Feeling uneasy, suspicious, or uncomfortable about a situation, place, or per...
• Creeped out Feeling uncomfortable, unsettled, or disturbed by something or someone in a w...
• Grossed out Feeling disgusted, revolted, or nauseated by something unpleasant.
• Weirded out Feeling uncomfortable or strange about something that doesn't feel right but ...
• Mind-blown So amazed, stunned, or impressed that your mind feels like it has exploded.
• Pumped Excited, energized, and ready for action — full of enthusiasm and adrenaline.
• Jazzed Excited, enthusiastic, or thrilled about something — conveying upbeat, positi...
• Geeked Very excited or enthusiastic, especially about something specific or nerdy.
• Living for it Loving something intensely, being obsessed with or deeply enjoying something.
• Obsessed Extremely into something — loving, being fascinated by, or unable to stop thi...
• Not feeling it Not interested in, not in the mood for, or not enjoying something.
• Over it Done caring about something, emotionally moved past it, or simply exhausted b...
• Done Exasperated, finished dealing with a situation, or emotionally exhausted — un...
• Can't deal Being overwhelmed, unable to cope with a situation, or emotionally at capacity.
• Emo Being overly emotional, dramatic, or wallowing in sadness — often used self-d...
• Down bad Desperately emotional, yearning, or doing embarrassing things because of roma...
• Feeling myself Feeling confident, attractive, or proud of yourself — in a state of high self...
• Rattled Shaken up, disturbed, or unsettled by something unexpected or frightening.
• Zoned out Mentally checked out, daydreaming, or not paying attention — staring blankly ...
• Checked out Mentally disengaged, no longer invested, or emotionally withdrawn from a situ...
• Wired Feeling anxious, jittery, and unable to relax — often from too much caffeine ...
• Jittery Nervous, shaky, or anxiously restless — often with visible physical symptoms ...
• Petty Making a big deal out of something trivial, being vindictive over small matte...
• Fed up Frustrated and disgusted to the point of no longer being willing to tolerate ...
• Burned out Physically and emotionally exhausted from prolonged stress, overwork, or inte...
• Wiped out Extremely tired, physically exhausted, or completely drained of energy.
• Beat Exhausted, worn out, or completely tired — too drained to do anything more.
• Drained Feeling completely emptied of energy, emotionally or physically depleted.
• Antsy Restless, impatient, or unable to sit still — fidgety with nervous energy.
• Stir-crazy Restless, agitated, or going crazy from being stuck indoors or in one place t...
• Savage Ruthlessly honest, bold, or impressively daring — someone who says or does th...
• Throwing a fit Having a tantrum, losing your temper in a dramatic way, or reacting with exag...
• Catch an attitude To suddenly become hostile, sassy, or confrontational — developing a negative...
• Going off Expressing strong emotion loudly and passionately — can be anger (going off o...
• Blowing up Exploding with anger, or (separately) becoming extremely popular or receiving...
• Floored Completely shocked, stunned, or amazed — as if something knocked you to the f...
• Thriving Doing exceptionally well, flourishing, and being in an excellent state — phys...
• Having a blast Having an amazing, incredibly fun time.
• In my head Overthinking, trapped in anxious thoughts, or being mentally consumed by worr...
• Spiraling Losing control of anxious thoughts, rapidly descending into panic or emotiona...
• Feeling some type of way Having strong but hard-to-define emotions about something — feeling affected ...
• Torn up Very upset, distraught, or emotionally devastated about something.
• Sick of Tired of, disgusted with, or completely fed up with something or someone.
• Whipped Being so in love with or devoted to a partner that you do whatever they want ...
• Moping Sulking, feeling sorry for yourself, or moving around listlessly because of s...
• Spicy Emotionally charged, feisty, or provocative — having an edge or intensity tha...
• Unbothered Completely indifferent, unfazed, or refusing to let something affect you emot...
• On one Acting wild, emotional, or irrational — being in an extreme or unpredictable ...
• Losing my mind Going crazy from stress, frustration, excitement, or disbelief — feeling like...
• Having a moment Experiencing a brief, intense emotional episode — being temporarily overwhelm...
• Side-eye A suspicious, disapproving, or judgmental sideways glance that communicates s...
• Gagged Left speechless with shock, amazement, or admiration — so impressed or surpri...
• Cooked Done for, finished, or in an inescapable bad situation — emotionally or situa...
• Going ballistic Reacting with extreme, explosive anger — completely losing your temper in a d...
• Hot and bothered Flustered, agitated, or worked up — either from embarrassment, frustration, o...
• Catching vibes Starting to feel good, getting into a positive mood, or developing good feeli...