blue in the face

blue in the face

Showing signs of exhaustion or strain. Often used in the phrase "till (one) (is) blue in the face." You can complain about it till you're blue in the face, but we're going to your grandmother's whether you like it or not. They are such strange friends. They'll argue till they're blue in the face, then they'll go out to eat and be the best of pals. Just give it up. You're blue in the face from trying to get Terry to change his mind, and your efforts still have had zero impact on him.

See also: blue, face

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

blue in the face

Exhausted from anger, strain, or other great effort. For example, You can argue until you're blue in the face, but I refuse to go. This expression alludes to the bluish skin color resulting from lack of oxygen, which presumably might result from talking until one was breathless. See also under talk one's arm off.

See also: blue, face

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

blue in the face

mod. pale from exhaustion or exertion. I laughed until I was blue in the face.

See also: blue, face

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

blue in the face

At the point of extreme exasperation: I argued with them until I was blue in the face.

See also: blue, face

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.