sorry (redirected from sorrily)

(Are you) sorry you asked?

Now that you have heard (the unpleasant answer), do you regret having asked the question? (Compare this with You'll be sorry you asked.) Father: How are you doing in school? Bill: I'm flunking out. Sorry you asked? Mother: You've been looking a little down lately. Is there anything wrong? Bill: I probably have the flu. Are you sorry you asked?

(I'm) sorry to hear that,

an expression of consolation or regret. John: My cat died last week. Jane: I am sorry to hear that. Bill: I'm afraid I won't be able to continue here as head teller. Bank manager: Sorry to hear that.

See also: hear

(I'm) sorry you asked (that).

I regret that you asked about something I wanted to forget. Tom: What on earth is this hole in your suit jacket? Bill: I'm sorry you asked. I was feeding a squirrel and it bit through my pocket where the food was. Sally: Why is there only canned soup in the cupboard? John: Sorry you asked that. I just haven't been to the grocery store in awhile. Sally: Want some soup?

See also: ask

(I'm) sorry.

an expression used to excuse oneself politely or apologize, especially when one has collided with someone, when one has offended someone, or to ask someone to repeat what has been said. "I'm sorry," I said to the woman I bumped into. I'm sorry, what did you say? I couldn't hear you.

Better (be) safe than sorry.

Prov. Cliché You should be cautious—if you are not, you may regret it. It may be time-consuming to check the oil in your car every time you buy gasoline, but better safe than sorry. Bob: I don't need a tetanus shot just because I stepped on a nail. Mary: I still think you should get one. Better be safe than sorry.

See also: better, safe

Sorry (that) I asked.

Now that I have heard the answer, I regret asking the question. Alice: Can we get anew car soon? The old one is a wreck. John: Are you kidding? There's no way that we could ever afford a new car! Alice: Sorry I asked. After he heard the long list of all the reasons he wouldn't be allowed to go to the concert, Fred just shrugged and said, "Sorry that I asked."

See also: ask

sorry about that and sorry 'bout that

sorry; whoops. (A gross understatement, said more as a self-deprecating joke than as an apology.) You spill hot cocoa on my coat, and all you can say is "Sorry 'about that"? When the passenger stepped on my toe, she said, "sorry about that."

sorry sight and sad sight

a sight that one regrets seeing; someone or something that is unpleasant to look at. Well, aren't you a sorry sight! Go get cleaned up and put on some fresh clothes.

See also: sight

You'll be sorry you asked.

Inf. The answer to the question you just asked is so bad that you will be sorry you asked it. (Compare this with (Are you) sorry you asked?) Father: What are your grades going to be like this semester? Sally: You'll be sorry you asked. Mary: How much did you pay for that lamp? Jane: You'll be sorry you asked.

See also: ask

---

Better (to be) safe than sorry.

something that you say which means it is best not to take risks even if it seems boring or hard work to be careful I'll hold the ladder while you climb up. Better safe than sorry.

See also: better, safe

---

a sad state of affairs (spoken) also a sorry state of affairs

a bad situation that you find upsetting It's a sad state of affairs when schools don't provide a basic education for their students.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form a sad state: Things have reached a sad state when you have to pay a bribe to get something done.

See also: affair, sad, state

better safe than sorry (spoken)

being careful is probably more desirable than risking a bad result Concerned about the attacks, he sent his son out of the village, figuring, better safe than sorry.

See also: better, safe

sorry to say also sad to say

I regret telling you this Sorry to say, the violin was never found.

See also: say