長く続く、新型コロナウィルスに対抗するための自粛生活。みなさんはどんな気持ちを抱いて日々生活していますか？退屈？ストレスを感じたり落ち込んだりと、ネガティブな気持ちを持て余す方が多いのではないかと思いますが、中にはゆっくりした時間を楽しんでるよ、という楽観的な方もいるのかもしれません。

それでは本日も３分で英語ブログを流し読み。コロナ禍の感情を英語イディオムを使って表現してみましょう。

As the days go by and the coronavirus pandemic continues, you’re probably feeling a lot of different things: bored, stressed, sad. Some days, you might even be optimistic (hopeful) or relaxed. 

With all these emotions, why not learn a few different ways to talk about them?

Keep reading to learn some idioms—or expressions—to describe pandemic life!

Idioms for Boredom

1. Bored out of (someone’s) mind

→ Extremely bored

My WiFi isn’t working and I have nothing to do. I’m bored out of my mind!

2. Bored to tears

→ So bored that you want to cry 

The first week of quarantine was okay, but now I want to see my friends; I’m bored to tears!

Idioms for Relaxation 

3. To put (someone’s) feet up

→ To rest or relax, especially by sitting down with your feet elevated

I like staying home from school. I have lots of time to put my feet up and watch my favourite shows.

4. To recharge (someone’s) batteries

→ To take a break from activities that are tiring or difficult

Sure, quarantine life is boring, but it’s a good opportunity to recharge your batteries. 

Idioms for Stress 

5. At (someone’s) wits’ end

→ To be so worried, upset, or annoyed that you don’t know what to do next

How much longer do we have to practice social distancing? I’m at my wits’ end!

6. To drive (someone) crazy 

→ To upset or annoy someone 

I love my family, but seeing them all day, every day is too much—they’re driving me crazy!

7. A bundle of nerves

→ Extremely anxious or nervous

Whenever my sister has to leave the house to buy food at the market, she’s a bundle of nerves!

8. To have a lot on (someone’s) plate

→ To have a lot of problems to deal with or a lot of work to do

I’m supposed to work from home, cook, clean, and homeschool my kids. I have a lot on my plate!

Idioms for Sadness

9. Down in the dumps

→ Discouraged, depressed, or sad

I’m going to have a video chat with my best friend today. She always makes me feel better when I’m down in the dumps.

10. To feel blue

→ To be sad or depressed

It’s hard not to visit with friends or go to social events; everyone I know is feeling blue these days. 

Idioms for Optimism

11. To count your blessings

→ To be thankful for what you have

If you have food to eat and a safe place to sleep during this pandemic, you should count your blessings! Not everyone is that lucky.

12. A light at the end of the tunnel

→ A reason to believe that a difficult or unpleasant situation will end soon

Life is strange and stressful right now, but we won’t have to stay home forever—there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.

Conclusion

Next time, don’t just say, “I’m bored” or “This is stressful!” To say how you really feel, use some of the idioms above!

「つまらない」、「ストレス！」とシンプルな英語で表現するだけではなく、イディオムを使って、今感じていることをより具体的に表現してみませんか？国を超えて、Gabbyのパーソナルコーチと、この複雑な感情を共感しあって、未曾有のパンデミックを乗り越えましょう！

Gabbyなら、英語パーソナルコーチをつける、と言う体験が無料できます。
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