over the moon
Extremely happy
Literally: Above the natural satellite of Earth
Use `over the moon` to show you are thrilled about a major positive event or achievement.
In 15 Seconds
- Use it to express extreme happiness or excitement.
- Common for big life events like jobs or engagements.
- It sounds warm, positive, and very enthusiastic.
Meaning
This phrase describes the feeling of being incredibly happy and excited. It is like your joy is so big that you have floated right off the Earth and into space.
Key Examples
3 of 6Getting a job offer
I just got the job and I am absolutely over the moon!
I just got the job and I am extremely happy!
Texting a friend about a date
He asked me out again! I'm over the moon!
He asked me out again! I'm so excited!
A grandmother talking about her grandson
She was over the moon when her grandson visited for Christmas.
She was very happy when her grandson visited.
Cultural Background
The phrase originates from the 16th-century nursery rhyme 'Hey Diddle Diddle,' where a cow famously jumps over the moon. It became a popular idiom for extreme happiness in the 19th century and remains a staple of British and American English. It captures the whimsical, gravity-defying feeling of pure success.
Add an Adverb
If you are REALLY happy, you can say you are 'absolutely' over the moon. It adds a nice punch to your sentence!
Don't use it for food
If your pizza is delicious, just say it's 'amazing'. Using 'over the moon' for a snack makes you sound a little too obsessed with cheese.
In 15 Seconds
- Use it to express extreme happiness or excitement.
- Common for big life events like jobs or engagements.
- It sounds warm, positive, and very enthusiastic.
What It Means
Imagine something so wonderful happens that you cannot stay on the ground. You feel light, airy, and full of pure joy. That is being over the moon. It is a level of happiness that goes beyond just 'good' or 'happy'. It is peak excitement. You are not just smiling; you are glowing from the inside out.
How To Use It
You usually use this with the verb to be. You can say 'I am over the moon' or 'She was over the moon.' It works perfectly when you want to share big news. It is a great way to show someone that their news made you feel fantastic too. Just remember, it is an adjective phrase, so it describes your state of mind.
When To Use It
Use this for life-changing moments or big wins. Did you get a promotion? Tell your partner you are over the moon. Did your favorite team finally win the championship? You are definitely over the moon. It is perfect for weddings, new babies, or even finding the perfect pair of shoes on sale. It works in texts, face-to-face chats, and casual emails.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using this for small, everyday things. If you just liked your lunch, saying you are over the moon sounds a bit dramatic. Also, keep it out of very serious or sad situations. It is too bright and bubbly for a funeral or a formal legal document. If your boss is firing someone, do not say you are over the moon about your new office space. That is a bit awkward!
Cultural Background
This phrase actually comes from a very old nursery rhyme called 'Hey Diddle Diddle.' In the poem, a cow jumps over the moon. While the cow was probably just talented, the image stuck in the English language. By the 1800s, people started using it to describe extreme excitement. It suggests a feeling of being 'high' on life and defying gravity with happiness.
Common Variations
You might hear people say they are on cloud nine or in seventh heaven. These mean almost the exact same thing. In the UK, you might also hear chuffed to bits. If you want to sound more modern, you can just say you are stoked. However, over the moon remains a classic that everyone from your grandma to your cool cousin will understand.
Usage Notes
This idiom is primarily informal to neutral. It is highly emotional, so avoid it in clinical or very dry professional reports, but feel free to use it in celebratory professional settings.
Add an Adverb
If you are REALLY happy, you can say you are 'absolutely' over the moon. It adds a nice punch to your sentence!
Don't use it for food
If your pizza is delicious, just say it's 'amazing'. Using 'over the moon' for a snack makes you sound a little too obsessed with cheese.
The Cow Connection
British English speakers use this slightly more often than Americans, but everyone in the English-speaking world will know exactly what you mean.
Examples
6I just got the job and I am absolutely over the moon!
I just got the job and I am extremely happy!
A classic use for a major life achievement.
He asked me out again! I'm over the moon!
He asked me out again! I'm so excited!
Short and punchy for a quick text update.
She was over the moon when her grandson visited for Christmas.
She was very happy when her grandson visited.
Shows deep, warm affection and joy.
I won ten dollars on a scratch card? I'm over the moon!
I won ten dollars? I'm so happy!
Slightly hyperbolic but shows high energy.
The team is over the moon with the client's positive feedback.
The team is very pleased with the client's feedback.
Safe for a relaxed office environment.
When everyone yelled 'Surprise!', she was just over the moon.
She was incredibly happy during the surprise.
Describes a reaction to a sudden happy event.
Test Yourself
Choose the best word to complete the feeling of extreme joy.
Sarah was over the ___ when she found out she won the lottery.
The correct idiom is 'over the moon'. While 'stars' sounds poetic, it is not the standard phrase.
Select the correct verb to use with the idiom.
We ___ over the moon about the news!
We use the verb 'to be' (am/is/are/was/were) to describe a state of being with this idiom.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality Scale of 'Over the Moon'
Too casual for some
I'm hyped!
Perfect for friends and family
I'm over the moon!
Safe for friendly coworkers
We are thrilled.
Too emotional for legal/stiff contexts
The party expresses great satisfaction.
When to jump 'Over the Moon'
Engagement
She said yes!
New Job
Signed the contract!
Sports Win
My team won!
Travel
Tickets are booked!
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, if the mood is positive and celebratory. For example, 'We are over the moon about the quarterly results' sounds enthusiastic and motivated.
It is always over the moon. If you say you are 'on the moon', people might think you are talking about space travel or feeling lonely!
Not at all! While it has old roots, it is still used every day in movies, books, and real conversations.
No, 'under the moon' usually refers to romance or nighttime, but it doesn't mean you are happy. Stick to over for joy.
Intensity! 'Happy' is a 5/10, but over the moon is a 10/10 on the joy scale.
Absolutely. You can say, 'My mom was over the moon when I called her.' It is a great way to describe others' reactions.
It is perfect for texts. You can even add a moon emoji 🌙 or a rocket 🚀 to make it more visual.
Not really. You wouldn't say you are 'under the moon' to mean sad. For sadness, we usually say 'down in the dumps'.
It is very common in both, though it has a slightly more 'classic British' feel to some people.
It is better for big surprises. If someone buys you a coffee, 'over the moon' is a bit too much. Try 'that's so sweet' instead.
Related Phrases
On cloud nine
Feeling extreme happiness or euphoria.
In seventh heaven
A state of intense happiness and satisfaction.
Chuffed to bits
Very pleased and happy (mostly British).
Walking on air
Feeling so happy that you feel light and weightless.
Thrilled to pieces
Extremely excited and pleased.
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