Emotional idioms [advanced]

Phrase passionate appeal, complaint, or protest
A blistering op-ed about Goldman Sachs in The New York Times has prompted the typical Internet reaction to a cri de coeur: Twitter chatter, link-dropping and the inevitable parodies.
Phrase something or someone doomed to failure
dead duck
Third base coach Mike Brumley pushed the envelope a bit too far, trying to score Wilson from first base. Center fielder Reggie Willits fired a bullet to the cutoff man and Wilson was a dead duck.
Phrase having a strong feeling or showing annoyance
The thought of racing down an active volcano with only a board for protection is enough to get most people hot under the collar.
Phrase in a state of mental disorder
While the rest of the world was in a tizzy over the Mayan apocalypse that wasn't, the radish people descended upon Oaxaca's main plaza: giant root vegetables carved into human figures and other vivid forms.
Phrase get rid of held-back energy or emotions
let off steam
Will people give up watching hockey because of the fighting? Players like fights because they allow them to let off steam. Staged fights can be planned in advance for either tactical or retaliatory reasons.
Phrase in a sound or stable condition
It's tough enough to keep your eating habits on an even keel. The sinful excess of holiday eating can easily send your system into butter-slathered, brandy-soaked overload.
Phrase to be in a less important position than someone else
"I'm not sure many people would have tipped Gelana," said BBC commentator. "Once again, the Kenyans have had to play second fiddle to the Ethiopians, who were dancing with joy at the end."
Phrase having a very high opinion of oneself, filled with or showing excessive self-confidence
A small boy has fun with his grandfather. Poppa tells how, at 17, he lied about his age so that he could join the army. Looking at an old photo album, they talk about the soldier’s feelings—proud as a peacock in uniform.
Phrase like someone immediately
In one of the most improbable - and adorable - animal pairings the gregarious dolphins seem to take a shine to the cat, named Thunder.
Verb be brave and not complain when bad things happen to you
‘Who’s the fairest of them all,’ is a cruel question to pose to a Hollywood beauty in her forties facing competition from ever-younger starlets. See Julia Roberts gamely take it on the chin in Mirror Mirror.