Idiom – To be over the moon

To be over the moon – Idiom of the day

Meaning:

to be very pleased

History:

The first reference to this phrase was in ‘The English Chevalier’ in 1718. It became more famous because of English football managers in 1970s who started using it after winning matches.

Though, it became popular worldwide in 1970s, it would have been familiar to those who grew up in Britain in the 20^th century as the phrase was mentioned in a common nursery rhyme – High Diddle Diddle.

High diddle diddle,
The Cat and the Fiddle,
The Cow jump’d over the Moon,
The little dog laugh’d to see such Craft,
And the Dish ran away with the Spoon.

Examples:

1. He was over the moon with his new mobile.
2. She was over the moon when she realized she had got a promotion.
3. Lily was over the moon when James proposed to her.
4. My son was over the moon when he won the basketball match.
5. I just got my acceptance letter to Oxford University and am over the moon about it.

Scenario 1:

Lisa: Did you know?

Sarah: No, what?

Lisa: Ken and I are getting married. I’m over the moon.

Scenario 2:

Kim: Can you believe it? I don’t think she deserves that award.

Sena: Well, I am not over the moon about it but I don’t think it’s unfair.