In everyday communication, we often rely on specific word combinations to effectively convey our thoughts and personalities. These combinations, known as collocations, are particularly useful in describing the complex nature of human personality traits. This blog post explores 30 collocations that are commonly used to describe personality, providing a brief definition of each and practical examples of their use in everyday language.
What Are Collocations?
Collocations are words that are often used together in a language, creating combinations that sound natural to native speakers. These pairs or groups of words have a natural affinity for each other, such that any other combination might sound odd or unnatural.
Collocations can include adverbs and adjectives, verbs and nouns, or a mix of these, and they are pivotal in enhancing speech and writing by providing more precise and expressive communication.
Personality Collocations
1. Quick temper
Meaning: Easily becomes angry
Example: He has a quick temper, so tread carefully.
2. Laid-back attitude
Meaning: Relaxed and easy-going
Example: Her laid-back attitude makes her popular.
3. Sharp tongue
Meaning: Often speaks in a severe or critical manner
Example: His sharp tongue often offends people.
4. Loose cannon
Meaning: Unpredictable, uncontrollable
Example: He’s a loose cannon in tense meetings.
5. Cold shoulder
Meaning: To ignore someone deliberately
Example: She gave me the cold shoulder at the party.
6. Warm heart
Meaning: Kind, affectionate, and caring
Example: He shows his warm heart through actions.
7. Strong-willed
Meaning: Determined, resolute
Example: She’s strong-willed about her career choices.
8. Old soul
Meaning: Wise beyond one’s years
Example: He’s an old soul, always giving sage advice.
9. Free spirit
Meaning: Independent and nonconformist
Example: She’s a free spirit, traveling whenever she can.
10. Tight-lipped
Meaning: Secretive, saying little
Example: He remained tight-lipped about the scandal.
11. People person
Meaning: Good with people, sociable
Example: She’s a people person and loves gatherings.
12. Life of the party
Meaning: Center of activity in social gatherings
Example: He’s the life of the party at every event.
13. Go-getter
Meaning: Ambitious and hardworking
Example: She’s a real go-getter in her field.
14. Big heart
Meaning: Generous and caring
Example: He has a big heart for the needy.
15. Poker face
Meaning: Expressionless, unrevealing
Example: She maintained a poker face during negotiations.
16. Soft spot
Meaning: A particular fondness
Example: He has a soft spot for stray animals.
17. Track record
Meaning: History of performance
Example: Her track record speaks to her skills.
18. Busy bee
Meaning: Always active and busy
Example: He’s a busy bee, always doing something.
19. Night owl
Meaning: Person who stays up late
Example: I’m a night owl, better at night.
20. Early bird
Meaning: Person who wakes up early
Example: He’s an early bird, jogging at dawn.
21. Smooth talker
Meaning: Persuasive, fluent speaker
Example: He’s a smooth talker, convincing everyone easily.
22. Straight shooter
Meaning: Honest, direct person
Example: She’s a straight shooter with her feedback.
23. Tough cookie
Meaning: Resilient and strong individual
Example: She’s a tough cookie under pressure.
24. Wet blanket
Meaning: Person who spoils others’ fun
Example: Don’t be a wet blanket, join the fun!
25. Bundle of nerves
Meaning: Very nervous person
Example: He was a bundle of nerves before the speech.
26. Heart of gold
Meaning: Very kind, generous
Example: She has a heart of gold, always helping.
27. Slippery slope
Meaning: A path of risky consequences
Example: Lying about your resume is a slippery slope.
28. Burning bridges
Meaning: Permanently damaging relationships
Example: Don’t burn bridges with your old employers.
29. Lone wolf
Meaning: Person who acts independently
Example: He’s a lone wolf, preferring solo projects.
30. Black sheep
Meaning: An outcast within a group
Example: He’s the black sheep of the family.
