over the moon

USAGE SUMMARY

'over the moon' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to describe someone who is extremely happy or excited about something. For example, "I was over the moon when my grandmother said I could borrow her car for the weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

No cows jumping over the moon here.

The New York Times - Books

Goodnight cow jumping over the moon".

The New York Times

"I feel over the moon.

The New York Times

Mine was over the moon.

The New Yorker

He was over the moon.

Independent

"She was over the moon".

The New York Times - Sports

We're absolutely over the moon".

Independent

"Fantastic, over the moon.

The Guardian - Sport

They are both over the moon".

Independent

Australians, of course, are over the moon.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

His nutsauce, over-the-moon crazy beliefs.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "over the moon" to vividly express extreme happiness or excitement, particularly in informal or conversational contexts. For example, "She was over the moon about her promotion."

Common error

While "over the moon" is widely understood, it's best to avoid using it in formal or professional writing. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "extremely pleased" or "delighted" in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "over the moon" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of extreme happiness or elation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically correct and widespread.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "over the moon" is a common and grammatically sound idiom used to express extreme happiness or delight. According to Ludwig AI, it is suitable for use in written English. While prevalent in news and media, it is generally considered informal and should be used cautiously in formal writing. Consider alternative phrases like "extremely delighted" or "absolutely ecstatic" in professional contexts. Remember to use this vibrant phrase to effectively communicate genuine joy and excitement in appropriate settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

On cloud nine

This is another idiom that, like "over the moon", represents a state of perfect happiness.

Thrilled to bits

A British idiom which, like "over the moon", conveys strong delight and excitement.

Walking on air

Similar to "on cloud nine", this idiom conveys a feeling of lightness and elation due to happiness.

Absolutely ecstatic

Replaces the idiom with another strong adjective, "ecstatic", to convey a sense of overwhelming happiness.

Jumping for joy

This idiom illustrates happiness through a physical expression of excitement.

Extremely delighted

This alternative replaces the idiomatic expression with a more literal description of intense happiness.

Incredibly thrilled

This option uses "incredibly" to amplify the feeling of being thrilled, offering a direct and emphatic expression of joy.

Elated beyond words

This phrase emphasizes that the feeling of happiness is so strong that it's hard to express.

As happy as can be

This alternative is a simple, universally understood expression of great happiness.

Full of joy

A simple and direct way to express being very happy, suitable for various contexts.

FAQs

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

You can use "over the moon" to describe someone's extreme happiness or excitement. For example, "They were over the moon when they heard the news".

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

Alternatives include "extremely delighted", "incredibly thrilled", or "absolutely ecstatic", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "over the moon" appropriate for formal writing?

While widely understood, "over the moon" is generally considered informal. For formal writing, opt for more neutral phrases like "extremely pleased" or "delighted".

What does it mean to be "on cloud nine"? Is it similar to "over the moon"?

Yes, "on cloud nine" is similar to "over the moon". Both idioms describe a state of extreme happiness or elation.