Speak Better English with Harry | Episode 452

Different Ways to Express Sadness

If you're feeling down, it's a general state of feeling slightly sad or low without a specific reason. Someone could ask, 'What's up with you?' and you can respond, 'I'm not feeling so good today. I just feel a little down.' Another way to say sad is to feel blue, which is often used when feeling unhappy after a weekend or holiday. Miserable describes a feeling of being really unhappy, such as when having a prolonged illness. Distraught is a formal word used to express deep sadness, like when someone's beloved pet or friend goes missing. Being gutted means feeling extremely disappointed, like when not getting a desired job or losing an important match. Devastated is used to describe feeling very sad or unhappy due to some terrible news. Desolate is normally used to describe a lonely and unhappy place, but it can also be used to describe a person who is profoundly saddened by the loss of a friend. When someone is inconsolable, they cannot be comforted or relieved of their sadness, no matter what is said or done. A broken man or woman is used to describe someone whose relationship has ended and feels emotionally shattered. When someone is at the end of their tether, it means they have reached the point where they can no longer cope or tolerate a situation. Finally, as sick as a parrot is a colloquial expression used to convey extreme sadness or unhappiness, often used in British English.