ɡɛt ˈsʌmθɪŋ ɒf jɔːr tʃɛst
Emotions
informal
intermediate
- Literally:
- To remove a weight from one's chest
What does "get something off your chest" mean?
- To reveal something that has been bothering you
- To confess or share a burden that you've been keeping secret
Examples
- I need to get something off my chest—I was the one who broke the vase.
- She felt better after getting her worries off her chest.
- Can I get something off my chest? I've been meaning to tell you this.
Origin
The metaphor of emotional burden as physical weight on the chest. Releasing this burden through confession provides relief.
How to use it
Common expression for sharing something that's been weighing on you. Often precedes a confession or important revelation.
Similar expressions
confess
unburden oneself
come clean
open up
Opposites
keep bottled up
suppress
hold inside
Related idioms
- hang in there
To persevere during difficult times
- lose your temper
To become suddenly angry
- get cold feet
To become nervous or afraid before doing something important
- on top of the world
Feeling extremely happy and successful
- rain on someone's parade
To spoil someone's plans or enthusiasm
- blow off steam
To release pent-up energy or emotion through activity
Use it in a practice answer
Try "get something off your chest" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.