Sorry sight

Definitions

• something unpleasant or pitiful to look at
  to describe something visually unappealing or disappointing

• someone or something that evokes pity or sympathy
  to refer to a person or thing that arouses feelings of compassion or sorrow

Examples of Sorry sight

• The abandoned amusement park was a sorry sight.

  The phrase "Sorry sight" is used to describe something that is unfortunate or pitiable. In this example, the speaker is using this idiom to describe the appearance of an abandoned amusement park. The park, once a place of joy and excitement, is now in a state of neglect and disrepair, and it is a sad and unfortunate sight.

• She looked a sorry sight as she stumbled out of the party, her dress torn and her face red and blotchy.

  In this example, the phrase "Sorry sight" is being used to describe a person who is disheveled and unattractive. The speaker is wondering why this person looks so pitiable and unfortunate, as she appears to have left the party in a state of disarray.

• The carcass of the dead animal was a sorry sight that nobody wanted to see.

  In this example, the phrase "Sorry sight" is used to describe something that is unpleasant and undesirable. The speaker is saying that the body of the dead animal is a pitiable and unfortunate sight, one that no one wants to see or have to deal with.

• The train station was deserted and empty, and the tracks seemed to stretch out into infinity, a sorry sight that filled the speaker with a sense of loneliness and regret.

  In this example, the phrase "Sorry sight" is being used to describe a scene that is filled with sadness and melancholy. The speaker is saying that the deserted train station, with its endless tracks, is a pitiable and unfortunate sight, one that fills the speaker with feelings of loneliness and regret.

• The old, rusted car sitting abandoned on the side of the road was a sorry sight.

  The phrase "a sorry sight" is used to describe something that is extremely unpleasant or unfortunate to see. In this example, the old, rusted car is a pitiful sight because it has been left to deteriorate, making it an eyesore on the roadside.

• The scorched, barren land that stretched out as far as the eye could see was a sorry sight.

  In this example, the phrase "a sorry sight" is used to describe an area that is extremely dry and desolate. The scorched, barren land is a disheartening sight because it lacks the vitality and beauty that one would typically expect to see in a natural landscape.

• The pile of dirty dishes left in the sink for days was a sorry sight.

  This example employs the phrase "a sorry sight" to refer to a situation that is unpleasant and unsightly. The pile of dirty dishes is a sorry sight because it represents a neglectful and unhygienic living condition.

• The sick and emaciated dog lying on the side of the road was a sorry sight.

  In this final example, the phrase "a sorry sight" is utilized to describe an animal in poor health and condition. The sick and emaciated dog is a sad and pitiful sight because it has lost its vigor and seems to be suffering from illness or malnutrition.

Conclusion

The idiom "sorry sight" is used to describe something that is visually unappealing or disappointing, as well as someone or something that evokes pity or sympathy. It can be used in a variety of contexts to convey a sense of disappointment or compassion.

Origin of "Sorry sight"

The origin of the idiom "sorry sight" can be traced back to the 16th century, where "sorry" was used to mean "distressing" or "pitiable," and "sight" referred to something that is seen. Over time, the combination of the two words came to represent something that is unpleasant or pitiful to look at. The idiom has since become a common phrase in the English language, used to convey a sense of visual disappointment or evoke feelings of sympathy. An example of its usage can be found in Shakespeare's play "Richard III," in which the character of Richard describes himself as a "sorry sight" due to his physical deformities. Overall, the idiom has a long history and has remained a prominent part of the English language.