woe

tale of woe

a sad story; a list of personal problems; an excuse for failing to do something. I listened to her tale of woe without saying anything. This tale of woe that we have all been getting from Kelly is just too much.

See also: tale

Woe is me!

I am unfortunate.; I am unhappy. (Usually humorous.) Woe is me! I have to work when the rest of the office staff is off. Woe is me. I have the flu and my friends have gone to a party.

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woe betide somebody   (humorous)

if you say woe betide the person who does something, you mean that they will be punished or cause trouble for themselves if they do that thing Woe betide anyone who plays Ann's tapes without her permission.

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woe betide somebody also woe be unto somebody

bad things will happen to someone Woe betide anyone who plays Ann's CDs without asking her first. And woe be unto anyone who messes with my desk!