cry your heart out, a weight off your shoulders, at the end of your tether, show your true colors , blow a fuse: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 idioms from Idioms set 22. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. cry your heart out · idiom/kraɪ jʊr hɑrt aʊt/

   to cry intensely

   She cried her heart out after hearing the bad news.

   Origin: From the 1500s — exaggerates the depth of grief, as though emotion is pouring physically out of the body.

2. a weight off your shoulders · idiom/ə weɪt ɔf jʊr ˈʃoʊldɚz/

   to feel relieved after a burden is lifted

   Finally submitting the project was a huge weight off my shoulders.

   Origin: Based on the ancient image of Atlas carrying the heavens — burdens are felt as physical weights on the shoulders.

3. at the end of your tether · idiom/ət ði ɛnd əv jʊr ˈtɛðɚ/

   to be completely exhausted or stressed

   After working three shifts in a row, I was at the end of my tether.

   Origin: From the 1700s — a tethered animal could only walk so far; reaching the end meant no more freedom remained.

4. show your true colors · idiom/ʃoʊ jʊr tru ˈkʌlɚz/

   to show one's true personality or emotions

   Tom showed his true colors; you could see exactly how he felt.

   Origin: From naval warfare — ships flew false flags to deceive enemies, then raised their real flag before attacking.

5. blow a fuse · idiom/bloʊ ə fjuz/

   to suddenly become very angry

   Dad blew a fuse when he saw the mess in the kitchen.

   Origin: An early 20th-century American expression — comparing sudden anger to an electrical fuse breaking under overload.