A countenance more in sorrow than in anger

Definitions

• to express deep sadness or despair
  To describe a person's facial expression that appears to convey a profound sense of sorrow or grief, rather than anger or frustration.

• to hide one's true emotions
  To suggest that a person may be concealing their true emotions behind a facade of sadness or grief, perhaps to avoid revealing their anger or frustration.

• to convey a sense of resignation
  To convey a sense of acceptance and resignation towards a difficult or challenging situation, even if it may be causing great emotional distress.

Examples of A countenance more in sorrow than in anger

Conclusion

This idiom is often used in situations where a person's facial expressions do not match their expected emotional response, or when someone is trying to mask their true feelings behind a more socially acceptable emotion. It can also be used to describe a general sense of sadness or despair, rather than a specific emotion.

Origin of "A countenance more in sorrow than in anger"

The origin of this idiom can be traced back to Shakespeare's play Hamlet, where the character Gertrude describes Hamlet's expression as "a countenance more in sorrow than in anger" (Act I, Scene II). The phrase has since become a popular idiom, often used to describe a person's emotional state or reactions.

The use of the word "countenance" in this idiom refers to a person's facial expression or demeanor. In this context, the word "sorrow" is used to describe a deep sense of sadness or grief, while "anger" refers to a feeling of frustration or annoyance. The phrase suggests that a person's facial expression may convey more sadness than anger, even if they are experiencing both emotions.

In modern usage, this idiom is often used to describe a person's emotional state in a more general sense, rather than focusing on their facial expression. It can also be used to convey a sense of resignation or acceptance towards a difficult situation, rather than a specific emotion.