pity (redirected from pitying)

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!

See also: have

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.

See also: take

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!

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have pity on somebody

to do something out of sympathy that will help someone An old man begged the soldiers to have pity on him and let him go.

See also: have

take pity on somebody

to do something because you feel sympathy for someone She stood there shivering until Claudia took pity on her and put her sweater around the child's shoulders.

See also: take