PhrasesHub

Blue in the face

    Definitions

      • Exhaustion or frustration
        To express feeling tired or worn out, often from trying to convince others or achieve something unsuccessfully

      • Pointlessness or futility
        To indicate that something is a waste of time or effort, as if one's face has turned blue from the uselessness of the task

      • Exaggeration
        To add emphasis or exaggerate one's feelings or arguments, often to the point of absurdity

    Examples of Blue in the face

    • My grandfather used to scold me blue in the face about finishing my homework, but I never listened.

      This idiom is used to describe someone who has been speaking or arguing with someone for a long time, but the person they are speaking to is not listening or paying attention. The phrase "blue in the face" refers to the color that a person's face might turn if they continue to speak forcefully for a long time.

    • The salesperson tried to convince me to buy the expensive car, but I wasn't interested. She practically turned blue in the face from all the persuading.

      This example shows how the idiom can be used in a different context. In this case, the salesperson was trying very hard to sell the car, but the speaker was not interested. The phrase "turned blue in the face" is used to describe how the salesperson might have looked if she continued to argue and persuade for a long time.

    • My brother loves to argue about politics, and he can go on and on until he's blue in the face.

      This example shows how the idiom can be used to describe someone's personality or behavior. In this case, the brother is known for arguing about politics for a long time, until the person he's talking to becomes frustrated or tired of listening.

    • The coach yelled at the team until he was blue in the face, but they still lost the game.

      This example shows how the idiom can be used to describe someone's frustration or anger. In this case, the coach was very upset and spoke loudly and forcefully to the team, but they were not able to win the game.

    • The teacher lectured us for an hour, and by the end, she was practically blue in the face.

      This example shows how the idiom can be used to describe someone's persistence or determination. In this case, the teacher spoke for a very long time, and her face might have turned blue from all the talking. The phrase "blue in the face" is used to emphasize how long she spoke and how much effort she put into teaching the class.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "blue in the face" is often used to convey a sense of exhaustion or frustration, as well as pointlessness or futility. It can also be used for exaggeration or adding emphasis to one's feelings or arguments.

    In the context of exhaustion or frustration, the idiom suggests that the person has been trying to achieve something or convince others for a long time, to the point where their face has turned blue from the effort. This can also be used to express a sense of defeat or hopelessness in the face of repeated failures or obstacles.

    In terms of pointlessness or futility, the idiom conveys the idea that something is so futile or useless that it is as if one's face has turned blue from the sheer absurdity of it. This can also be used to express a sense of exasperation or annoyance with a task or situation.

    Lastly, the idiom can also be used for exaggeration, often to the point of absurdity, in order to emphasize one's feelings or arguments. This can be a playful use of the idiom to add humor or drama to a situation.

    Origin of "Blue in the face"

    The origin of the idiom "blue in the face" is not entirely clear, but there are a few theories. One theory suggests that it may have originated from an old belief that a person's face turns blue when they are extremely angry or frustrated. This belief may have come from the visible veins and increased blood flow in the face during these emotional states.

    Another theory suggests that the idiom may have originated from the physical act of holding one's breath until their face turns blue, often used as a form of protest or to show defiance. This could have evolved into a figurative expression for trying to convince others or achieve something repeatedly, to the point of exhaustion.

    Regardless of its exact origin, the idiom "blue in the face" has been in use since the early 1800s and has become a common phrase in the English language. It is often used in everyday conversations to convey a sense of frustration or exaggeration, and its colorful imagery makes it a memorable and expressive idiom.