Picturesque Speech

People say that they are on top of the world, but how do you know you are on top when the world is round. Another saying you may hear is I hit rock bottom.  But there is still further down to go even from the bottom of a mountain.  These are sayings to explain how happy a person may feel or how bad they feel.  Do they really explain it though?

There are several sayings that are used to explain someone’s mood or feelings.  Despite that they may not be realistic in the literal sense, they do make a picture in your mind and give you an idea about how that person is doing.  There are different ways to explain how you may feel. 

I find the use of words and imagery fun, for example, happy as a pig in mud.  You can always make some up for yourself.  It may help you cheer up a little if you are sad or laugh out loud if you are in a good mood.  You can say you are a cat in a pool of catnip to explain how relaxed you are.  Or that you are tied in knots to express how nervous you are.

These descriptive ways of speaking are called idioms.  They are not only used to explain how you feel, but you can use them to explain almost anything.  Some popular ones are break a leg which is wishing someone luck, costs an arm and a leg meaning something was expensive, and a blessing in disguise which is when something good comes out of something bad. 

To me, when I read or hear and idiom, an interesting or funny pictures come to mind.  These expressions are far from being literal but are a necessity.  They make conversations and stories a little more interesting and picturesque.