PhrasesHub

Have the blues

    Definitions

      • feel sad or depressed
        to describe feeling down or melancholic

      • experience financial hardship
        to indicate a period of financial difficulty or lack

      • play or sing sad, slow-tempo music
        to refer to performing music with a melancholic or sad theme

    Examples of Have the blues

    • She's been having the blues lately. Her boyfriend broke up with her, and she just can't seem to shake off the sadness.

      This usage of "Have the blues" means feeling sad, gloomy, or unhappy. The blues is a type of music genre known for its melancholic lyrics and themes, and the phrase "having the blues" is an idiomatic way of describing a person's emotional state. In this example, the woman is experiencing emotional distress and sadness, hence she "has the blues" since her boyfriend broke up with her.

    • Even after winning the championship, the team hasn't quite shaken off the blues of losing their star player last year.

      Although the team has won the championship, its members are still grieving the loss of their former star player. This example shows that "having the blues" can persist beyond a specific event or circumstance. The phrase implies a lingering feeling of sadness or disappointment.

    • It's been a week, and he still has the blues. Losing his job has really shaken him up.

      In this example, "having the blues" is used to convey that the sadness or despair caused by losing a job has persisted beyond a few days. This usage highlights the length of time someone may take to recover from an emotionally traumatic event.

    • Even after a year, she still hasn't quite gotten over the blues. Losing her father was the hardest thing she's ever gone through.

      Here, "having the blues" is used as a description of how someone copes with a significant loss, such as the death of a parent or spouse. The phrase implies longstanding feelings of mourning or sadness. This example demonstrates that "having the blues" can endure for a prolonged period, reflecting the depth and gravity of the loss experienced by the individual.

    • After losing her job and going through a difficult break-up, Sarah has had the blues for weeks.

      To have the blues is to feel sad, depressed, or unhappy due to circumstances or events. In Sarah's case, she has experienced a series of negative experiences, which have left her feeling down and out.

    • Despite the beautiful weather, John dragged himself through the park today with the blues hanging over him.

      The idiom "dragging oneself" refers to moving slowly or with effort due to fatigue or disappointment. John's mood, described as having the blues, likely contributed to his lethargic demeanor.

    • Even with his band's new single topping the charts, the lead singer confessed he's still got the blues about breaking up with his girlfriend.

      While achieving professional success, the singer has experienced personal heartache, resulting in feelings of sadness and despair.

    • Her team's devastating loss in the championship game left her with the blues for days.

      When a person's sports team suffers a crushing defeat, it can lead to feelings of disappointment and sadness, referred to as having the blues.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "have the blues" can be used to express feeling sad or depressed, experiencing financial hardship, or playing or singing sad, slow-tempo music. It is a versatile phrase that can be used in various contexts to convey a sense of melancholy or difficulty.

    Origin of "Have the blues"

    The origin of the idiom "have the blues" can be traced back to the early 20th century, originating from African American music. The term "blues" refers to a musical genre characterized by its melancholic lyrics and slow tempo. Over time, the phrase "have the blues" evolved to also encompass the emotional state of feeling sad or depressed. The association between the musical genre and the emotional state led to the idiom's widespread use in everyday language to describe feelings of sadness or hardship. Today, "having the blues" is a common expression used to convey a sense of melancholy or distress.

    Examples:

    • After losing her job, Sarah has been feeling like she has the blues.
    • The band decided to play some blues to match the mood of the rainy evening.