Psychophysiologic Phrases
The mind’s effect on the body is an everyday experience. This is reflected in the English language which is filled with phrases that would not exist without that connection. Eighty-eight (!) of these expressions are listed below. (Send new suggestions to info@ppdassociation.org).
When stress, emotions or trauma are more severe or long-lasting than the everyday, it is easy to imagine that the impact on the body could reach the level of chronic pain or illness.
1. That problem is a real headache
2. My head is exploding
3. I felt blood rush to my head
4. Dizzy with anticipation or excitement
5. Eyes wide with amazement, surprise or fear
6. Narrowed gaze to study someone or something
7. Blushing or red-faced with embarrassment
8. They are a pain in the neck
9. The hairs on the back of my neck rose
10. They leave a bad taste in my mouth
11. So tense my throat was dry
12. Jaw-dropping surprise
13. I was all choked up
14. I felt a lump in my throat
15. I had a knot in my stomach
16. They give me butterflies in my stomach
17. They make my insides churn
18. They twist my insides
19. They make me feel ill
20. They make my stomach turn
21. So disgusted I felt like vomiting
22. I was gutted for them (UK)
23. Had a gut feeling
24. It was gut-wrenching
25. I was scared shitless
26. They are a thorn in my side
27. They are a pain in the butt
28. That tightened my sphincter
29. They get on my nerves
30. They make my blood pressure rise
31. They make my heart skip a beat
32. They cause my heart to race
33. They have a stranglehold on my heart
34. My heart aches for him/her
35. I say this with a heavy heart
36. I feel lighthearted
37. My heart was pounding
38. It was heart-rending
39. I want to get something off my chest
40. My chest swelled with pride
41. They suffocate me
42. They take my breath away
43. Sighed with relief
44. I felt empty inside
45. They make my chest tighten
46. I can't stand him/her
47. They make my blood boil
48. I had the hots for him/her
49. Seeing him/her causes [F/M genital arousal]
50. Stop busting my balls (testicles)
51. They set my nerves on edge
52. They rub me the wrong way
53. Get off my back
54. Stop breaking my back
55. It sent shivers (or chills) down my spine
56. They make my skin crawl
57. They get under my skin
58. They wind me up
59. They push my buttons
60. They gave me the cold shoulder
61. I shouldered the blame
62. Has a chip on their shoulder
63. That’s a weight off my shoulders
64. That has been weighing me down
65. They weigh on my mind
66. A load off my mind
67. Carrying the weight of the world
68. I’m dying of embarrassment
69. I have stage fright
70. They drain the life out of me
71. They give me cold sweats
72. So nervous my hands were clammy
73. They give me goosebumps
74. They keep me on pins and needles
75. Glowing with satisfaction
76. They make me feel on edge
77. Shaking with rage
78. Trembling with fear or anticipation
79. Frozen with fear
80. They leave me feeling numb
81. I have a bad feeling about this
82. They make me weak in the knees
83. Got cold feet
84. They left me cold
85. Crushed with grief
86. Eyewatering prices
87. Fainted with shock
88. Screamed with joy
