44 Idioms for Sadness
Feeling sad is part of being human, but sometimes saying “I’m sad” doesn’t capture how we really feel. That’s where idioms come in. Idioms are colorful phrases that help us express our emotions in deeper, more meaningful ways. They paint pictures with words and help others understand exactly what we’re going through.
This article will explore idioms that express sadness and sorrow. These phrases can help you communicate your feelings more clearly and connect with others who understand what you’re experiencing. You’ll also find a short activity to practice using these idioms in everyday situations.
Idioms for Sadness
1. Down in the dumps
Meaning: Feeling very sad or depressed.
Sentence Example: I’ve been down in the dumps since my best friend moved away. / She was down in the dumps after failing her driving test.
Other Ways to Say: Feeling blue / In low spirits
2. Feeling blue
Meaning: Being sad or melancholy.
Sentence Example: I’m feeling blue because summer vacation is over. / He’s been feeling blue since his dog got sick.
Other Ways to Say: Down in the dumps / Sad
3. Heavy heart
Meaning: Feeling deeply sad or sorrowful.
Sentence Example: I have a heavy heart knowing my grandpa is in the hospital. / She left with a heavy heart after saying goodbye.
Other Ways to Say: Sad inside / Broken heart
4. Under the weather
Meaning: Feeling sad, unwell, or not your best.
Sentence Example: I’m under the weather after hearing the bad news. / She’s been under the weather since the argument with her friend.
Other Ways to Say: Not feeling well / Out of sorts
5. Broken heart
Meaning: Feeling extremely sad, often from losing someone or something important.
Sentence Example: My heart is broken after my pet hamster died. / She has a broken heart since her boyfriend left.
Other Ways to Say: Heavy heart / Deeply hurt
6. Crying your eyes out
Meaning: Crying very hard and for a long time.
Sentence Example: I was crying my eyes out during the sad movie. / She cried her eyes out when she didn’t make the team.
Other Ways to Say: Sobbing / Weeping hard
7. In the doldrums
Meaning: Feeling sad, bored, or without energy.
Sentence Example: I’ve been in the doldrums since school started. / The whole family was in the doldrums during the rainy week.
Other Ways to Say: Down in the dumps / Low spirits
8. Out of sorts
Meaning: Not feeling right or feeling a bit sad and confused.
Sentence Example: I’m out of sorts after staying up too late. / He’s been out of sorts since his friend ignored him.
Other Ways to Say: Under the weather / Not myself
9. Long face
Meaning: Looking sad or disappointed.
Sentence Example: Why the long face? Did something happen at school? / She had a long face after losing the game.
Other Ways to Say: Sad expression / Down look
10. Hit rock bottom
Meaning: Reach the lowest, saddest point.
Sentence Example: I hit rock bottom when I failed three tests in one week. / She hit rock bottom after losing her job.
Other Ways to Say: Lowest point / Very down
11. Bummed out
Meaning: Feeling disappointed or sad.
Sentence Example: I’m bummed out that the concert was canceled. / He’s bummed out about not getting invited to the party.
Other Ways to Say: Disappointed / Let down
12. In low spirits
Meaning: Feeling sad or not happy.
Sentence Example: The whole team was in low spirits after losing the championship. / I’m in low spirits because it’s been raining all week.
Other Ways to Say: Down in the dumps / Feeling blue
13. Wear your heart on your sleeve
Meaning: Show your sad feelings openly.
Sentence Example: She wears her heart on her sleeve when she’s upset. / I wear my heart on my sleeve, so everyone knows when I’m sad.
Other Ways to Say: Show emotions / Be open about feelings
14. Tears in your eyes
Meaning: Being so sad that you’re about to cry.
Sentence Example: I had tears in my eyes watching the sad commercial. / She had tears in her eyes saying goodbye to her friends.
Other Ways to Say: Ready to cry / Emotional
15. Down and out
Meaning: Feeling very sad and hopeless.
Sentence Example: I felt down and out after my project didn’t work. / He was down and out when he didn’t get the part in the play.
Other Ways to Say: Hopeless / Really down
16. Choked up
Meaning: So sad that it’s hard to speak.
Sentence Example: I got choked up during the graduation speech. / She was choked up talking about her sick grandmother.
Other Ways to Say: Emotional / Hard to speak
17. Tearing up
Meaning: Starting to cry from sadness.
Sentence Example: I was tearing up during the sad part of the book. / He started tearing up when his friend moved away.
Other Ways to Say: Getting emotional / About to cry
18. Feeling low
Meaning: Being in a sad mood.
Sentence Example: I’m feeling low after the argument with my sister. / She’s been feeling low since her team lost.
Other Ways to Say: Feeling down / In low spirits
19. Heartbroken
Meaning: Extremely sad and hurt.
Sentence Example: I’m heartbroken that my favorite teacher is leaving. / She was heartbroken when her best friend betrayed her.
Other Ways to Say: Devastated / Crushed
20. Moping around
Meaning: Acting sad and not wanting to do anything.
Sentence Example: Stop moping around and come play with us. / He’s been moping around since he got grounded.
Other Ways to Say: Being gloomy / Acting sad
21. Eating your heart out
Meaning: Being very sad or worried about something.
Sentence Example: She’s eating her heart out over the fight with her friend. / I’m eating my heart out waiting for test results.
Other Ways to Say: Worrying deeply / Very upset
22. Lump in your throat
Meaning: Feeling so sad it’s hard to swallow or speak.
Sentence Example: I had a lump in my throat during the memorial service. / She got a lump in her throat saying goodbye to her dog.
Other Ways to Say: Emotional / Choked up
23. Drowning in sorrow
Meaning: Overwhelmed by sadness.
Sentence Example: After losing the championship, the team was drowning in sorrow. / I felt like I was drowning in sorrow after my goldfish died.
Other Ways to Say: Overwhelmed with sadness / Very upset
24. Crushed
Meaning: Extremely disappointed and sad.
Sentence Example: I was crushed when I didn’t make the soccer team. / She felt crushed after her art project was criticized.
Other Ways to Say: Devastated / Heartbroken
25. Feeling sorry for yourself
Meaning: Being sad and thinking only about your problems.
Sentence Example: Stop feeling sorry for yourself and try again. / I spent the day feeling sorry for myself after the bad grade.
Other Ways to Say: Self-pity / Dwelling on problems
26. In tears
Meaning: Crying from sadness.
Sentence Example: I was in tears watching the sad movie ending. / She was in tears after reading the letter from her friend.
Other Ways to Say: Crying / Weeping
27. Sick at heart
Meaning: Feeling deeply sad or troubled.
Sentence Example: I’m sick at heart knowing I hurt my friend’s feelings. / She was sick at heart after the family argument.
Other Ways to Say: Heavy heart / Deeply troubled
28. Weighed down
Meaning: Feeling sad and burdened by problems.
Sentence Example: I feel weighed down by all the homework and tests. / She’s weighed down by her family’s financial problems.
Other Ways to Say: Burdened / Heavy feeling
29. Can’t shake the blues
Meaning: Unable to stop feeling sad.
Sentence Example: I can’t shake the blues since my friend moved away. / She can’t shake the blues after failing the audition.
Other Ways to Say: Still feeling sad / Can’t cheer up
30. Grief-stricken
Meaning: Overwhelmed with sadness, usually from loss.
Sentence Example: The family was grief-stricken after losing their pet. / I was grief-stricken when my favorite book series ended.
Other Ways to Say: Devastated / Overwhelmed with grief
31. Melancholy
Meaning: A gentle, thoughtful kind of sadness.
Sentence Example: I felt melancholy watching the sunset on the last day of camp. / The rainy weather made her feel melancholy.
Other Ways to Say: Wistful / Thoughtfully sad
32. Down in the mouth
Meaning: Looking and feeling sad.
Sentence Example: You look down in the mouth today. What’s wrong? / He’s been down in the mouth since his project didn’t work.
Other Ways to Say: Long face / Looking sad
33. Crestfallen
Meaning: Disappointed and dejected.
Sentence Example: I was crestfallen when I didn’t win the art contest. / She looked crestfallen after hearing she couldn’t go to the sleepover.
Other Ways to Say: Disappointed / Deflated
34. Feeling glum
Meaning: Sad and quiet.
Sentence Example: I’m feeling glum because my favorite show ended. / She’s been feeling glum since her best friend got sick.
Other Ways to Say: Feeling down / Moody
35. Downhearted
Meaning: Sad and discouraged.
Sentence Example: I’m downhearted after not making the honor roll. / The team felt downhearted after their losing streak.
Other Ways to Say: Discouraged / Feeling low
36. Welling up
Meaning: Tears starting to form from sadness.
Sentence Example: I could feel tears welling up during the graduation ceremony. / Her eyes were welling up as she said goodbye.
Other Ways to Say: Tearing up / Getting emotional
37. In the pits
Meaning: Feeling terrible and very sad.
Sentence Example: I’m in the pits after failing my math test. / She’s been in the pits since her dog got lost.
Other Ways to Say: Feeling awful / Rock bottom
38. Hanging your head
Meaning: Looking down because you’re sad or ashamed.
Sentence Example: I was hanging my head after disappointing my parents. / She was hanging her head after making the mistake.
Other Ways to Say: Looking down / Feeling ashamed
39. Bawling your eyes out
Meaning: Crying very hard and loudly.
Sentence Example: I was bawling my eyes out during the sad movie. / She was bawling her eyes out after her friend moved.
Other Ways to Say: Sobbing hard / Crying loudly
40. Dejected
Meaning: Sad and without hope.
Sentence Example: The whole class looked dejected after the field trip was canceled. / I felt dejected when my science experiment failed.
Other Ways to Say: Hopeless / Discouraged
41. Beside yourself with grief
Meaning: So sad you can’t think clearly.
Sentence Example: She was beside herself with grief when her hamster died. / I was beside herself with grief after losing my favorite necklace.
Other Ways to Say: Overwhelmed / Devastated
42. Heavy-hearted
Meaning: Feeling sad and burdened.
Sentence Example: I’m heavy-hearted about leaving my friends behind. / She felt heavy-hearted watching her brother leave for college.
Other Ways to Say: Sad inside / Burdened
43. In a funk
Meaning: In a bad, sad mood that lasts a while.
Sentence Example: I’ve been in a funk since I got a bad grade. / She’s in a funk because her friends are ignoring her.
Other Ways to Say: Bad mood / Feeling down
44. Wearing a frown
Meaning: Looking sad and unhappy.
Sentence Example: Why are you wearing a frown? Did something happen? / He’s been wearing a frown all day after the bad news.
Other Ways to Say: Looking unhappy / Sad face
Exercise to Practice
- My little sister was _______ after her favorite toy broke.
- I had a _______ when I found out my best friend was moving.
- The whole team was _______ after losing the championship game.
- She’s been _______ since her pet bird flew away.
- I was _______ during the sad part of the movie.
- He looked _______ when he didn’t get invited to the birthday party.
- I’m _______ because my vacation is over.
- She was _______ after failing her driving test for the third time.
- The class was _______ when they heard their favorite teacher was leaving.
- I felt _______ watching my older brother leave for college.
- She’s been _______ ever since her grandmother went to the hospital.
- I was _______ when I realized I lost my wallet.
- He’s _______ because his friends forgot his birthday.
- The whole family was _______ during the thunderstorm.
- I’m _______ that summer is ending so soon.
Answer Key
- crying her eyes out
- heavy heart
- down in the dumps
- feeling blue
- in tears
- crestfallen
- feeling low
- crushed
- downhearted
- melancholy
- sick at heart
- beside myself with grief
- in a funk
- under the weather
- bummed out
Conclusion
Using idioms helps us express our sadness in ways that others can truly understand. These phrases paint clear pictures of our emotions and help us connect with people who care about us. When we share our feelings using colorful language, it often makes us feel less alone.
Try using a few of these idioms when you’re feeling down. Sometimes putting our sadness into words – even sad words – can be the first step toward feeling better. Remember, it’s okay to feel sad sometimes, and sharing those feelings with others can help lighten the load.
