Regain your composure

not turn a hair If someone does not turn a hair, they show no emotion in circumstances where a reaction is expected.

“When the police came to arrest him, he didn’t turn a hair.”

nose out of joint If something puts your nose out of joint, it offends or annoys you.

“When he discovered he wasn’t on the invitation list, that really put his nose out of joint!”

open (or reopen) old wounds If you open or reopen old wounds you revive memories of an unpleasant event, situation or dispute that took place in the past.

“He carefully avoided the subject so as not to open old wounds.”

pour your heart out If you pour your heart out to someone, you express your feelings freely. “When she needs to pour her heart out to someone, Elsa goes to visit her grandmother.”

(as) proud as a peacock A person who is as proud as a peacock is extremely proud.

“When his son won first prize, Bill was as proud as a peacock.”

proud/pleased as Punch Someone who is as proud or pleased as Punch is delighted or feels very satisfied about something.

“Dad was as proud as Punch when he won the tennis match.”

put your foot in your mouth If you put your foot in your mouth, you say something that offends, upsets or embarrasses someone.

“Jenny really put her foot in her mouth when she mentioned the housewarming party - Andy hadn’t been invited.”

reduce someone to tears If your behaviour or attitude makes someone cry, you reduce them to tears.

“The teacher criticised her presentation so harshly that she was reduced to tears.”

regain your composure If you regain your composure, you calm down and control your emotions again after a stressful or upsetting event.

“It took her a while to regain her composure after hearing the insulting remarks.”

save face When someone saves face, they manage to avoid humiliation or embarrassment and preserve their dignity and the respect of others.

“They allowed him to save face by accepting his resignation.”

(have a) soft spot If you have a soft spot for someone or something, you particularly like them.

“My grandfather has always had a soft spot for his first grandchild.”

speak volumes If something speaks volumes, it expresses a reaction or opinion very clearly, with no need for words.

“The happy smile on the child’s face when he opened the box spoke volumes about my choice of gift.”