PhrasesHub

feeling blue

    Definitions

      • feeling sad or depressed
        Describing a state of emotional distress or melancholy, often used to express temporary or mild sadness

      • being envious or jealous
        Referring to a feeling of discontent or resentment towards someone who has something desirable or successful

    Examples of feeling blue

    • After losing her job, Sarah felt blue all day.

      This idiom is used to describe a feeling of sadness or melancholy. It comes from the color blue, which is often associated with feelings of sadness or despair. In this example, Sarah is feeling sad and downhearted after losing her job.

    • The team's performance in the game left them feeling blue.

      This idiom can also be used to describe a group or situation that is causing sadness or disappointment. In this example, the team's poor performance in the game has left them feeling sad and disheartened.

    • I've been feeling blue lately, but I'm trying to stay positive.

      This idiom can also be used as a personal statement to describe one's own mood or emotions. In this example, the speaker is acknowledging that they have been feeling sad and downhearted, but they are making an effort to stay optimistic.

    • The weather today is making me feel blue.

      This idiom can also be used to describe external factors that are contributing to one's mood or emotions. In this example, the speaker is attributing their sadness to the weather, which is often associated with feelings of sadness or gloominess.

    • The news of the tragedy left the community feeling blue.

      This idiom can also be used to describe a broader social or cultural context that is causing sadness or despair. In this example, the speaker is describing the community's collective response to a tragic event, which has left them feeling sad and disheartened.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "feeling blue" is most commonly used to describe a state of sadness or depression. It can also be used to refer to feelings of envy or jealousy towards others. In both cases, the phrase is used to convey a temporary or mild emotional state.

    Origin of "feeling blue"

    The origin of the idiom "feeling blue" is uncertain, but there are a few theories. One theory suggests that the phrase comes from the old English custom of flying blue flags on ships to indicate that the captain or crew was feeling ill or sad. Another theory suggests that the phrase comes from the association of the color blue with sadness or melancholy in literature and art.

    Regardless of its origin, the idiom has been in use since at least the 16th century and has remained a popular phrase in English. Its versatility and simplicity make it a commonly used expression to convey feelings of sadness or envy.