Idiom
Over the moon
If you are over the moon, you are extremely happy and delighted about something.
How people use it
It follows verbs like be, feel and seem: we were over the moon when the adoption went through. It is used for big good news, such as a baby, a new job, a win or a long-awaited visit. It is more common in British English, but Americans understand and use it. It is informal and enthusiastic. Keep the "over": in the moon or on the moon do not work.
Examples
- Grace was over the moon when she found out she'd passed her driving test.
- My parents are over the moon about their first grandchild.
- The coach said the whole team was over the moon after the final whistle.
Where it comes from
Many people link it to the nursery rhyme "Hey Diddle Diddle", in which a cow jumps over the moon, though that connection is not proven. Versions of the phrase appear in English writing from the 1700s. It became something of a cliche in British sports interviews in the 1970s and 1980s, when winning players often said they were over the moon.
Check yourself
1. How does someone feel if they are over the moon?
Answer: Thrilled. Over the moon means extremely happy.
2. Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
Answer: Omar was over the moon when his job offer arrived.. The idiom fits joy, so bad news or crying does not match.
Similar idioms
Word game fan? See every word hiding in MOON.