Sometimes, we miss someone or want something so badly that it makes our chest feel heavy. It could be a friend who moved away, a pet we lost, or a dream we hope comes true. This feeling is called yearning. It’s a deep wish or a strong longing that doesn’t go away easily.
To talk about these feelings, people often use idioms. Idioms are short phrases that don’t always mean exactly what the words say. They help us explain our emotions in a way that feels more real. In this article, you’ll learn different idioms people use when they feel a strong need or desire for something. These sayings can help you share your thoughts and feelings with others in a more colorful and fun way.
Idioms for Yearning
1. Heart set on
Meaning: Really wanting something
Within a Sentence: She had her heart set on getting a puppy. / I had my heart set on going to the amusement park.
In Other Words: Really hoped for it / Wanted it badly
2. Longing for
Meaning: Wanting something deeply
Within a Sentence: He was longing for summer break. / I’m longing for Grandma’s cookies.
In Other Words: Missing / Wishing for
3. Pining away
Meaning: Missing someone or something sadly
Within a Sentence: She’s been pining away for her old school. / He’s pining away for his best friend.
In Other Words: Feeling sad and missing / Wanting someone back
4. Wishful thinking
Meaning: Hoping for something that may not happen
Within a Sentence: I thought we’d have no homework, but that was just wishful thinking. / He believed he could fly; that’s wishful thinking.
In Other Words: Hoping without reason / Daydreaming
5. In your dreams
Meaning: Something wanted but unlikely
Within a Sentence: You think you’ll get two desserts? In your dreams! / He wants to be invisible, in his dreams.
In Other Words: Not likely / Just imagining
6. Chase a dream
Meaning: Work hard for something you really want
Within a Sentence: She’s chasing her dream of being an artist. / I want to chase my dream of writing stories.
In Other Words: Go after a big hope / Try to make it real
7. Hold a torch for
Meaning: Still caring or longing for someone
Within a Sentence: He still holds a torch for his old friend. / She holds a torch for her first crush.
In Other Words: Still has feelings / Still wants them
8. On your mind
Meaning: Thinking about something or someone a lot
Within a Sentence: My dog has been on my mind all day. / The field trip is on her mind.
In Other Words: Can’t stop thinking / Always there
9. Yearn for
Meaning: Deeply wanting something
Within a Sentence: I yearn for a snow day. / He yearns for his cousin to visit.
In Other Words: Want so much / Hope for
10. Dream of
Meaning: Wanting something even in sleep
Within a Sentence: I dream of having my own room. / She dreams of visiting space.
In Other Words: Really want it / Think about it a lot
11. Hunger for
Meaning: Deeply want something
Within a Sentence: He hungered for adventure. / She hungers for her mom’s hugs.
In Other Words: Crave / Want really bad
12. Thirst for
Meaning: Want something badly, like knowledge or love
Within a Sentence: She thirsts for a chance to win. / He thirsts for attention.
In Other Words: Eager for / Craving
13. Ache for
Meaning: Feel pain from wanting something
Within a Sentence: My heart aches for my friend who moved. / She ached for her old home.
In Other Words: Miss badly / Feel empty without
14. Can’t wait
Meaning: Very excited or eager
Within a Sentence: I can’t wait for the field trip. / He can’t wait to open his gift.
In Other Words: Super excited / Really looking forward to
15. Counting the days
Meaning: Waiting eagerly
Within a Sentence: She’s counting the days till her birthday. / I’m counting the days until summer.
In Other Words: Waiting with excitement
16. Eyes on the prize
Meaning: Focused on something you really want
Within a Sentence: I’ve got my eyes on the prize, first place. / She keeps her eyes on the prize of winning.
In Other Words: Aiming high / Staying focused
17. Reach for the stars
Meaning: Try to get something big
Within a Sentence: My teacher says to reach for the stars. / He’s reaching for the stars with his music.
In Other Words: Dream big / Go for it
18. Grass is greener
Meaning: Wanting what others have
Within a Sentence: He thinks her life is better; the grass is greener. / I thought another school would be better, but it wasn’t.
In Other Words: Jealous / Think others have it better
19. Walk down memory lane
Meaning: Think about the past with longing
Within a Sentence: Looking at photos, we walked down memory lane. / She walked down memory lane, talking about kindergarten.
In Other Words: Remembering / Missing old times
20. In a world of your own
Meaning: Lost in thoughts or dreams
Within a Sentence: He was in a world of his own, thinking about his dream. / She sat quietly, in a world of her own.
In Other Words: Daydreaming / Thinking deeply
21. Over the moon for
Meaning: Extremely happy and longing
Within a Sentence: She’s over the moon for the new game. / He’s over the moon for his new baby sister.
In Other Words: Really excited / So happy
22. Can’t get enough
Meaning: Wanting more of something
Within a Sentence: I can’t get enough of that song. / She can’t get enough of her grandma’s pie.
In Other Words: Love it a lot / Want more
23. Touched to the core
Meaning: Deeply moved or longing
Within a Sentence: That letter touched me to the core. / His story touched her to the core.
In Other Words: Felt it deep / Moved by it
24. Still holding on
Meaning: Not ready to let go of a feeling
Within a Sentence: She’s still holding on to the dream. / He’s still holding on to that old friendship.
In Other Words: Not giving up / Keeping hope
25. A heart that won’t forget
Meaning: Still feeling attached or longing
Within a Sentence: I have a heart that won’t forget my old friend. / Her heart won’t forget her lost dog.
In Other Words: Still caring / Not moving on
26. Living in the past
Meaning: Thinking too much about old times
Within a Sentence: He’s always living in the past, missing his old house. / She lives in the past, thinking about third grade.
In Other Words: Can’t let go / Always remembering
27. Carried away
Meaning: Lost in a strong feeling or dream
Within a Sentence: I got carried away thinking about vacation. / She gets carried away imagining her future.
In Other Words: Lost in thought / Dreaming big
28. Drawn to
Meaning: Feeling pulled or very interested
Within a Sentence: I’m drawn to stories about adventure. / He’s drawn to animals and wants to be a vet.
In Other Words: Attracted / Pulled in
29. Eyes full of dreams
Meaning: Hoping or wishing a lot
Within a Sentence: She has eyes full of dreams about being a singer. / His eyes were full of dreams for the future.
In Other Words: Hopeful / Full of plans
30. Waiting by the phone
Meaning: Hoping someone will call or respond
Within a Sentence: She was waiting by the phone for good news. / I waited by the phone to hear from my cousin.
In Other Words: Hoping to hear / Eagerly waiting
31. Can’t let go
Meaning: Still holding on to something you want or miss
Within a Sentence: He can’t let go of his old toy. / I can’t let go of the hope to see her again.
In Other Words: Still attached / Not ready to move on
32. Wishing on a star
Meaning: Hoping for something special
Within a Sentence: I was wishing on a star for a snow day. / She wishes on a star every night.
In Other Words: Making a hopeful wish
33. Holding back tears
Meaning: Trying not to cry while feeling emotional
Within a Sentence: He was holding back tears at the goodbye party. / I held back tears during the sad movie.
In Other Words: Almost crying / Feeling deep
34. A heart full of hope
Meaning: Really believing something good will happen
Within a Sentence: She had a heart full of hope about the test. / His heart was full of hope for a better day.
In Other Words: Very hopeful / Positive feeling
35. Pulls at your heart
Meaning: Makes you feel emotional or want something
Within a Sentence: That story pulls at your heart. / Her voice pulls at my heart every time.
In Other Words: Feels strong inside / Deep feeling
36. Eyes on the future
Meaning: Thinking about what’s ahead
Within a Sentence: He has his eyes on the future and college. / She’s thinking about the future all the time.
In Other Words: Looking ahead / Planning
37. All in your head
Meaning: Wanting or imagining something that might not happen
Within a Sentence: I thought he liked me, but it was all in my head. / She thinks she’ll fly one day; it’s all in her head.
In Other Words: Imagined / Not real
38. Heart in your throat
Meaning: Feeling nervous from strong emotion
Within a Sentence: I had my heart in my throat waiting for my name. / Her heart was in her throat before the big moment.
In Other Words: Very nervous / Full of hope or fear
39. Lost in thought
Meaning: Daydreaming or remembering something
Within a Sentence: He was lost in thought about his birthday. / She’s always lost in thought at her desk.
In Other Words: Not paying attention / Dreaming
40. Looking for something more
Meaning: Wanting more than what you have
Within a Sentence: She’s always looking for something more. / I feel like I’m looking for something more than school.
In Other Words: Not satisfied / Wanting bigger things
41. Writing your own story
Meaning: Dreaming about your future
Within a Sentence: He’s writing his own story with big goals. / She wants to write her story her way.
In Other Words: Making your dreams / Creating your life
42. Living in a dream
Meaning: So hopeful it feels unreal
Within a Sentence: I felt like I was living in a dream when we got a dog. / He’s living in a dream after getting the part in the play.
In Other Words: So happy / Not believing it’s real
43. One step away
Meaning: So close to something you really want
Within a Sentence: I’m one step away from winning. / She’s one step away from meeting her goal.
In Other Words: Almost there / Very close
44. Eyes glued
Meaning: Focused on something you care about
Within a Sentence: Her eyes were glued to the TV when her favorite show came on. / I had my eyes glued to the window, waiting.
In Other Words: Watching closely / Very focused
45. On the edge of your seat
Meaning: Eager and excited for what comes next
Within a Sentence: I was on the edge of my seat at the big game. / She sat on the edge of her seat during the movie.
In Other Words: So excited / Waiting for more
46. Head in the clouds
Meaning: Dreaming and not paying attention
Within a Sentence: He always has his head in the clouds in math class. / I had my head in the clouds thinking about summer.
In Other Words: Daydreaming / Not focused
47. In too deep
Meaning: Feeling too much or caring too much
Within a Sentence: I was in too deep with my love for that book. / She was in too deep thinking about the past.
In Other Words: Very involved / Feeling a lot
48. Can’t stop thinking about it
Meaning: Always on your mind
Within a Sentence: I can’t stop thinking about camp. / She can’t stop thinking about the talent show.
In Other Words: Always remembering / Dreaming of it
49. A heart that remembers
Meaning: Still caring after time
Within a Sentence: He has a heart that remembers his first dog. / Her heart remembers her old teacher.
In Other Words: Still loving / Still feeling
50. Silent wish
Meaning: A quiet hope
Within a Sentence: I made a silent wish before the game. / She made a silent wish for her mom’s safe trip.
In Other Words: Quiet hope / Secret wish
51. Wish hanging in the air
Meaning: A hope that hasn’t come true yet
Within a Sentence: There was a wish hanging in the air at the party. / His birthday wish hung in the air.
In Other Words: Waiting / Not yet real
52. Can’t shake the feeling
Meaning: Still feel a certain way
Within a Sentence: I can’t shake the feeling I forgot something. / She can’t shake the feeling of missing home.
In Other Words: Still feel it / Won’t go away
53. Hoping against hope
Meaning: Hoping even if it’s unlikely
Within a Sentence: I was hoping against hope to win. / She hoped against hope for a snow day.
In Other Words: Keep hoping / Even if hard
54. Waiting forever
Meaning: Feels like a very long wait
Within a Sentence: I’ve been waiting forever for recess. / She’s waiting forever for her turn.
In Other Words: A long wait / Very eager
55. One big wish
Meaning: The thing you want the most
Within a Sentence: Her one big wish is to be on the team. / My one big wish is for everyone to be happy.
In Other Words: Most important wish
56. Tied to the past
Meaning: Still thinking about what already happened
Within a Sentence: He’s tied to the past, always talking about his old class. / I’m tied to the past when I look at baby pictures.
In Other Words: Can’t move on / Always remembering
57. A dream in your pocket
Meaning: A wish you carry with you
Within a Sentence: She has a dream in her pocket to travel. / I keep my dream in my pocket to become a writer.
In Other Words: Secret hope / Something you carry inside
58. Can’t move on
Meaning: Still stuck on something you want or miss
Within a Sentence: He can’t move on from losing the game. / She can’t move on from the fun trip.
In Other Words: Still thinking / Stuck on it
59. A whisper in your heart
Meaning: A quiet feeling or wish
Within a Sentence: I felt a whisper in my heart when I saw the stars. / Her heart whispered that she missed her friend.
In Other Words: Soft feeling / Quiet hope
60. Still dreaming
Meaning: Not giving up on your hopes
Within a Sentence: I’m still dreaming of having my own dog. / She’s still dreaming about winning the contest.
In Other Words: Still hoping / Not giving up
True/False Quiz: Idioms for Yearning
1. If someone “has their heart set on” something, it means they don’t really care about it.
True / False
2. Saying “he’s longing for summer” means he can’t wait for it to come.
True / False
3. “Pining away” means you’re feeling really happy about something you lost.
True / False
4. When someone is “chasing a dream,” they are working to make it happen.
True / False
5. If you say “in your dreams,” it means something is very likely to happen.
True / False
6. “Eyes on the prize” means giving up on what you want.
True / False
7. Saying “reaching for the stars” means trying for something big and exciting.
True / False
8. “Living in the past” means you are focused on things that already happened.
True / False
9. If you’re “waiting by the phone,” you probably don’t care if someone calls.
True / False
10. “A heart full of hope” means someone feels very worried.
True / False
11. Saying “wishing on a star” shows someone has hope for something special.
True / False
12. “On the edge of your seat” means you’re bored and not paying attention.
True / False
13. “Head in the clouds” means someone is dreaming or not focused.
True / False
14. “Still dreaming” means someone gave up on their wish.
True / False
15. If someone “can’t move on,” they still care about something from before.
True / False
Answers
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- False
- True
- True
- False
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
Scoring Guide
- 15 Correct Answers: Yearning Idioms Master!
- 10–14 Correct Answers: You really get idioms, nice work!
- 6–9 Correct Answers: You’re learning, keep going!
- 0–5 Correct Answers: Let’s learn about idioms together!
Conclusion
Yearning is a strong feeling when we really want something or someone. Idioms help us talk about those feelings in a way that others can understand. They make our thoughts more interesting and clear.
Now that you’ve learned these idioms, you can try using them in your writing and speech. Whether you’re dreaming of a trip, missing a friend, or hoping for something big, there’s an idiom that can help you share that feeling in a fun way.
