drown in self-pity
To be entirely consumed by sorrow, self-deprecation, or other negative emotions to the point of self-indulgence or paralysis. It's hard to help someone who would rather drown in self-pity than find a solution to their problems. All right, I think you've drowned in self-pity long enough. Now, we have to come up with a plan of attack for this illness of yours. I know I annoy people because I tend to drown in self-pity, but I'm just not an optimistic person.
for God's sake
An oath of exasperation, annoyance, frustration, anger, or surprise. Would you let me finish my story, for God's sake? Oh for God's sake, I just had the car fixed and now you've put a dent in it! For God's sake! I haven't seen you in years!
for goodness' sake
A mild oath of exasperation, annoyance, frustration, anger, or surprise. Would you let me finish my story, for goodness' sake? Oh for goodness' sake, I just had the car fixed and now you've put a dent in it! For goodness' sake! I haven't seen you in years!
for heaven's sake
A mild oath of surprise, exasperation, annoyance, frustration, or anger. For heaven's sake! I haven't seen you in years! Would you let me finish my story, for heaven's sake? Oh for heaven's sake, I just had the car fixed and now you've put a dent in it!
for Pete's sake
A mild oath of exasperation, annoyance, frustration, anger, or surprise. Would you let me finish my story, for Pete's sake? Oh for Pete's sake, I just had the car fixed and now you've put a dent in it! For Pete's sake! I haven't seen you in years!
for pity's sake
A mild oath of surprise, exasperation, annoyance, frustration, or anger. For pity's sake! I haven't seen you in years! Would you let me finish my story, for pity's sake? Oh for pity's sake, I just had the car fixed and now you've put a dent in it!
have pity on (one)
To act compassionately or with sympathy toward one. Please, have pity on me, I don't want to die! The three spirits taught Scrooge how to have pity on his fellow man. The king had pity on the old beggar, who turned out to be a wizard.
more's the pity
old-fashioned That is regretful and disappointing; it's a shame. A: "Looks like Aunt Leanne and her kids won't be coming tonight." B: "More's the pity, and I made all this extra food for them, too."
take pity on (someone or something)
To treat someone or something kindly due to feeling sympathy or compassion toward them, especially because of their misfortune or suffering. Oh, take pity on Bill—he's been sick all week. That's the only reason he's fallen behind in his work. The king took pity on the old beggar, who turned out to be a wizard.
that's a pity
That is really unfortunate; that's too bad. Can be used sarcastically. A: "Tom and I broke up yesterday." B: "Aw, that's a pity! You two were such a cute couple!" A: "I'm sorry, but I have decided not to accept your offer." B: "That's a pity. We really thought you were the perfect person for the role." I guess he decided to delete his account from the forum. That's a pity—I'm sure we'll all miss his inane observations.
what a pity
That is really unfortunate; that's too bad. Can be used sarcastically. A: "Tom and I broke up yesterday." B: "Aw, what a pity! You two were such a cute couple!" A: "I'm sorry, but I have decided not to accept your offer." B: "What a pity. We really thought you were the perfect person for the role." I guess he decided to delete his account from the forum. What a pity—I'm sure we'll all miss his inane observations.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
For Pete's sake!
and For pity's sake!; For the love of Mike!; For goodness sake!; For gosh sake!; For heaven('s) sake!a mild exclamation of surprise or shock. For Pete's sake! How've ya been? For pity's sake! Ask the man in out of the cold!
have pity on someone (or an animal)
to have compassion toward someone or an animal. Please! Have pity on us. Let us come in!
more's the pity
Fig. it is a great pity or shame; it is sad. (Sometimes with the.) Jack can't come, more's the pity. Jane had to leave early, more's the pity.
take pity (on someone or an animal)
to feel sorry for someone or an animal. We took pity on the hungry people and gave them some hot food. She took pity on the little dog and brought it in to get warm.
What a pity!
and What a shame!Fig. an expression of consolation meaning That's too bad. (Can also be used sarcastically.) Bill: I'm sorry to tell you that the cat died today. Mary: What a pity! Mary: The cake is ruined! Sally: What a shame!
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
for God's sake
for Pete's sake
for the sake of
1. Also for one's sake. Out of consideration or regard for a person or thing; for someone's or something's advantage or good. For example, For Jill's sake we did not serve meat, or We have to stop fighting for the sake of family unity. [Early 1200s]
2. For the purpose or motive of, as in You like to quarrel only for the sake of an argument. [Early 1200s]
3. for God's sake. Also
for goodness or heaven's or Pete's or pity's sake . An exclamation showing surprise, impatience, anger, or some other emotion, depending on the context. For example,
For God's sake, I didn't expect to see you here, or
Hurry up, for goodness sake, or
For heaven's sake, how can you say such a mean thing? or
For pity's sake, finish your dinner. The variants are euphemisms for God. [c. 1300] For a synonym, see
for the love of, def. 2.
take pity on
Also, have pity on. Show compassion or mercy to, as in Take pity on the cook and eat that last piece of cake, or, as Miles Coverdale's 1535 translation of the Bible has it (Job 19:21), "Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye, my friends." This idiom may be used half-jokingly, as in the first example, or seriously. [Late 1200s]
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.