What it means
Means you're absolutely delighted, properly thrilled, the kind of happy that shows on your face before you've even opened your mouth. You say it when something brilliant happens, like good news landing, a plan working out, or a lovely surprise. It's stronger than just pleased. It's joy with a bit of lift in it.
Usage examples
"Dad was over the moon when the tickets finally came through, proper grin on him, then he rang everyone like he’d invented football."
"She was over the moon when she got the job, she rang her mum before she had even left the building."
"We are over the moon with the new pup, the whole house has gone soppy over him already."
"He was over the moon when they said the flat was his, started texting everyone before he'd even left the viewing."
"I'm over the moon for her, honestly. After all that messing about, she finally got the result she wanted."
Got something to say?
Edit, fix or tell us something. We review it and, if it is true, you will see it applied with your name on it.
Where it comes from
It comes from the old nursery rhyme Hey Diddle Diddle, where the cow jumps over the moon. That image was already being used by the 19th century to mean being wildly happy. It stuck because it feels airy, daft, and joyfully over the top, which is exactly the vibe.
Other ways to say it
Editors of this term
Your vote counts
Is this real street talk or have we lost the plot? Cast your vote.
