English idioms for talking about sadness.
Learning English idiomatic expressions can be useful, both in understanding and expressing emotional nuances. Today we’re looking at using idioms to talk about sadness in English. Everybody feels sadness from time to time and these idioms can be used for everything from feeling a vague sense of dissatisfaction (down in the dumps) to being devastated by an event (to be knocked sideways/ to be cut up about something.) Hopefully you won’t be needing this idioms any time soon!
Down in the dumps
Definition: Feeling sad or fed up.
Example: After receiving the rejection letter from her dream job, Sarah was down in the dumps for weeks.
To be carrying the weight of the world on one’s shoulders
Definition: Feeling overwhelmingly burdened by problems or responsibilities.
Example: Since her father fell ill, Emily felt like she was carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders, trying to balance caring for him and managing her own life.
To be cut up about something
Definition: Feeling deeply hurt or upset about something.
Example: James was cut up about not being able to attend his best friend’s wedding due to unforeseen circumstances.
To be knocked sideways
Definition: To be emotionally or mentally stunned by a distressing event.
Example: Learning about the sudden passing of her beloved pet knocked Maria sideways; she couldn’t stop crying for days.
To have a lump in one’s throat
Definition: Feeling emotional to the point where one feels a physical tightness or discomfort in the throat.
Example: As the graduation ceremony came to an end, Sarah had a lump in her throat, realizing it was time to say goodbye to her friends and move on to the next chapter of her life.
Each of these idioms offers a unique perspective on the experience of sadness, showcasing the richness and depth of the English language.
Remember, language learning is not just about mastering grammar and vocabulary; it’s about immersing yourself in the intricacies of a language, including its idiomatic expressions.