be over the moon

USAGE SUMMARY

"be over the moon" is correct and it can be used in written English.
It is an idiom which means to be very pleased or excited. For example: When I heard that I got the job, I was over the moon!.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Dick will be over the moon.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

If I can deliver that, I'd be over the moon".

The Guardian - Sport

"If I'm in the starting 13 on Sunday, I'll be over the moon," he says.

Independent

IF MISERY loves company, Britain's embattled livestock farmers must be over the moon.

The Economist

She would be over the moon, and to know its complete, it completes her vision".

The Guardian - Books

Compared to that, the defence should be over the moon with the outcome.

The Guardian

"If I win three of them, I'll be over the moon," Frankel said.

The New York Times - Sports

Nevertheless, the Portman Road owner Marcus Evans must be over the moon with the managerial transition in East Anglia.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

With a range of brightness levels and a gradual dimming sleep mode, you and the kids will be over-the-moon with this.

Independent

Don't get me wrong: that's great and most people should be over-the-moon happy with that.

Forbes

You don't have to be over-the-moon happy every single time you hang out, but it should be something you look forward to for sure.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be over the moon" to vividly express extreme happiness or excitement about a specific event or achievement. It adds a touch of warmth and enthusiasm to your writing.

Common error

While "be over the moon" is a widely understood idiom, avoid using it in highly formal or professional documents where a more reserved tone is appropriate. Opt for phrases like "be delighted" or "be extremely pleased" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be over the moon" functions as an idiomatic expression to denote a state of extreme happiness or delight. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common way to express great joy. Examples from Ludwig show its use in describing personal achievements, sporting victories, and positive news.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Sport

20%

General Conversation

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be over the moon" is a widely recognized and frequently used idiom to express extreme happiness or delight. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and common usage. Predominantly found in news, sports, and general conversations, it effectively communicates strong positive emotions. While versatile, it's best suited for informal to neutral contexts, reserving more formal expressions like "be delighted" for professional settings. With its vibrant imagery, "be over the moon" provides a colorful and engaging way to convey genuine joy and excitement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be ecstatic

Focuses on the feeling of intense joy, similar to being over the moon but potentially more intense.

be thrilled to bits

An informal expression indicating great excitement and happiness.

be on cloud nine

Indicates a state of perfect happiness, often used for a specific moment or event.

be in seventh heaven

Expresses a state of complete bliss and contentment.

be jumping for joy

A more physical expression of happiness, indicating great excitement.

be walking on air

Describes a feeling of lightness and elation due to happiness.

be as happy as Larry

A British idiom indicating extreme happiness.

be delighted

A more formal way to express great pleasure and satisfaction.

be on top of the world

Describes a feeling of great success and happiness.

be floating on air

Conveys a sense of lightness and joy, but slightly less intense than "be over the moon".

FAQs

What does "be over the moon" mean?

The idiom "be over the moon" means to be extremely happy or delighted about something.

How can I use "be over the moon" in a sentence?

You can use it to express intense happiness, such as: "I was "over the moon" when I found out I got the job."

What are some alternatives to "be over the moon"?

Alternatives include "be ecstatic", "be thrilled to bits", or "be on cloud nine".

Is "be over the moon" appropriate for formal writing?

While widely understood, "be over the moon" is generally more suitable for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "be delighted" or "be extremely pleased".