Sometimes, when we feel sad or upset, idioms can help us express those emotions. This list of sad idioms includes expressions about sadness, upset and misery.
We have included definitions and example sentences so you can learn how to use these idioms about sadness properly, although hopefully you won’t find yourself in this kind of situation too often.
Sad idioms
Feel blue
If you feel blue then you feel down or depressed. It may also be said that you have the blues.
“I’ve been feeling a bit blue recently so let’s do something fun this weekend.”
See more ways to talk about emotions using colours.
Down in the dumps
Someone who is down in the dumps is depressed or sad.
“What’s the matter? You look a bit down in the dumps today.”
Down in the mouth
The sad idiom down in the mouth is very similar in meaning to down in the dumps, except it suggests you can see from the person’s face that they are unhappy.
“Sheila seems down in the mouth recently. Do you know what happened to her?”
In practice, both of these sadness idioms can be used interchangeably.
A sad sight
A sad sight is something that causes you to feel sad when you see it.
“All of those kittens abandoned by the side of the road… it’s a sad sight.”
Need some idioms for crying as well?
Down and out
Someone who is down and out is destitute and has run out of money or other resources. It’s a sad situation to be in, and a difficult one to recover from.
“The homeless shelter helps people who are down and out, but it’s often hard for them to find employment.”
These other money idioms might come in handy when talking about finances.
Beside yourself
If you are beside yourself (with worry, sadness, grief, etc.) then you’re in an extreme state of that emotion. We may also simply say that someone is beside himself or herself when the type of emotion is clear from the context.
“I’ve been beside myself with worry since my dog went missing last night.”
“Larry was beside himself when his brother died.”
This idiom may also be used with positive states, like laughter. You can read more in our article about using beside vs besides.
Get (somebody) down
If something gets you down, it makes you feel sad or depressed.
“This long winter is really getting me down.”
“I know it’s tough being unemployed, but don’t let it get you down.”
Broken heart
Someone with a broken heart is suffering from great sadness, often from a relationship breakup or the loss of a loved one. An alternative way to use this heart idiom is to say that they are heartbroken.
“Ross dumped Sasha and left her with a broken heart.”
“The whole family is heartbroken at the unexpected death of their dog.”
Did you know that this is actually an idiom from the Bible?
A sad (or sorry) state of affairs
A sad state of affairs is a situation which is particularly upsetting, unpleasant or unfortunate.
“The company is in a sad state of affairs after the recession.”
“Our country’s government is a sad state of affairs.”
Go to pieces
When someone goes to pieces they have a mental or emotional breakdown.
“It’s understandable for someone to go to pieces following the death of a loved one.”
In this situation, it’s helpful to know some idioms about death so you can speak respectfully.
Low in spirits or low-spirited
The sadness idiom low in spirits means discouraged or miserable.
“Elaine has been low in spirits ever since she lost her job.”
In contrast, we may say that someone is high in spirits or high-spirited when they are full of enthusiasm for life.
Sadder but wiser
The phrase sadder but wiser is said when someone has been through a difficult period that caused sadness, but they are now wiser because of the experience.
“I left my job sadder but wiser.”
These idioms about the past will give you some other ways to describe past experiences.
Fall apart
With a similar meaning, to fall apart means to become very emotional, usually with sadness or grief.
“Pascal fell apart when his mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer.”
See also: When to use a part and apart
We hope you find these sad idioms useful. Perhaps now you would like to read some happiness idioms to cheer yourself up! Feel free to leave a comment if you can think of any other idioms to describe sadness.
