How to express worry, anxiety and more!

Being able to talk about personal experiences and describe both positive and negative feelings is an essential speaking, or conversational skill.

Here is a mix of phrasal verbs, expressions and language contexts you could use, as well as their meanings:

To feel awkward about doing something = not comfortable, relaxed or confident.

Wearing shorts makes me feel akward.

To feel anxious about a situation = to worry, have negative thoughts and feelings about something.

We all feel anxious the day before an exam, don't we?

To embrace a challenge = to be willing or ready to accept or participate in a competitive situation.

Anna seems prepared to embrace the challenge of starting a new job.

To tackle an issue/ problem = to resolve or deal with a difficult situation, and find a solution.

I think it's time the HR department tackled her salary issue.

To face a difficult situation = to accept the existence or presence of a negative situation.

We all have to face the fact that the company is no longer being successful.

To be at ease = to feel relaxed and comfortable with someone or something.

I have only known Mary for a few weeks, but I have felt at ease with her from the very first day.

To overcome an obstacle = to identify and tackle a difficult situation in life.

It was hard for John to overcome his depression.

To deal with a problematic person/ situation = to take action to do something.

Don't you find it hard to deal with arrogant people?

To find an issue tricky = when an issue requires special attention, care and skill for it to be solved, it is tricky.

Discussing serious subjects with young children can be quite tricky.

To stress out = to feel extreme stress and mental anxiety, usually from working or studying too much.

Andrew works 6 days a week. No wonder he's always so stressed out!

To freak out = to be in an intense emotional state, such as fear, anger or excitement.

I freak out whenever I'm abroad and come across my favourite fashion stores!

Choose the correct phrasal verb or expression in the following sentences:

• 1. I’m sure you will do well in your exam tomorrow. You don’t need to ___ .
  
  embrace
  overcome
  stress out
  
  
• 2. She always ___ about travelling to other countries.
  
  faces a difficult situation
  feels anxious
  tackles an issue
  
  
• 3. I am always more ___ when my mum accompanies me to the doctor. She helps me feel better.
  
  freak out
  anxious
  at ease
  
  
• 4. Matthew finds it hard to ___ his father’s moments of anger.
  
  deal with
  embrace
  feel awkward
  
  
• 5. My brother ___ whenever I mention his favourite rock band.
  
  stresses out
  freaks out
  deals with
  
  
• 6. It was very hard for my grandmother ___ the death of my uncle.
  
  to embrace
  to overcome
  to feel anxious
  
  
• 7. I sometimes find grammar exercises to be rather ____.
  
  tricky
  awkward
  at ease
  
  
• 8. Lucy has always felt ____ about taking telephone calls.
  
  stress out
  at ease
  akward