Sometimes people feel deep sadness, like when they lose someone close or go through something very hard. This feeling is called grief. It can be hard to talk about grief, so people often use special phrases to express it. These phrases are called idioms. Idioms help us share strong feelings in a softer or clearer way.
In this lesson, we will learn some common idioms that people use when they are feeling grief. These idioms are often heard in books, movies, and even in real conversations. Each idiom has a meaning that is different from the words used in it. Learning these can help you understand others better and express yourself with care.
Idioms for Grief
1. Cry over spilled milk
Meaning: Feeling sad about something that already happened and can’t be changed.
Sample Sentences: She cried over spilled milk when her pet ran away. / Don’t cry over spilled milk if you lose the game.
Other Way to Say: No use being sad / What’s done is done
2. Burst into tears
Meaning: To suddenly start crying.
Sample Sentences: He burst into tears when his bike was broken. / She burst into tears after hearing the bad news.
Other Way to Say: Start crying fast / Cry suddenly
3. Heartbroken
Meaning: Feeling very sad because something bad happened, especially about love or loss.
Sample Sentences: She was heartbroken when her dog died. / He felt heartbroken after his best friend moved away.
Other Way to Say: Very sad / Deeply upset
4. Down in the dumps
Meaning: Feeling sad or unhappy.
Sample Sentences: I was down in the dumps after losing my favorite toy. / He felt down in the dumps when he failed the test.
Other Way to Say: Feeling blue / Sad and low
5. Shed tears
Meaning: To cry.
Sample Sentences: She shed tears at the movie’s sad ending. / He shed tears when he said goodbye to his grandma.
Other Way to Say: Cry / Let tears fall
6. Broken heart
Meaning: A feeling of deep sadness, usually from losing someone you love.
Sample Sentences: Her broken heart made it hard to smile. / After the fight, he felt like he had a broken heart.
Other Way to Say: Very sad inside / Hurt feelings
7. Tear up
Meaning: To start crying a little bit.
Sample Sentences: I teared up when I saw the sad puppy. / She started to tear up during the goodbye.
Other Way to Say: Get teary / Almost cry
8. In mourning
Meaning: Feeling sad after someone has died.
Sample Sentences: The family was in mourning after losing their grandfather. / Everyone was in mourning at the funeral.
Other Way to Say: Feeling sorrow / Sad after loss
9. Heart sinks
Meaning: Feeling very sad or disappointed suddenly.
Sample Sentences: My heart sank when I saw the empty cookie jar. / His heart sank when the game was canceled.
Other Way to Say: Feel sad fast / Feel disappointed
10. Heavy heart
Meaning: Feeling very sad or worried.
Sample Sentences: She went to school with a heavy heart after the news. / He had a heavy heart about moving away.
Other Way to Say: Sad feeling / Worried inside
11. Tears roll down
Meaning: Tears falling from the eyes.
Sample Sentences: Tears rolled down her cheeks at the sad story. / His tears rolled down when he lost his pet fish.
Other Way to Say: Crying / Tears falling
12. Downhearted
Meaning: Feeling sad and discouraged.
Sample Sentences: I was downhearted when I didn’t win the race. / She felt downhearted after losing her favorite book.
Other Way to Say: Sad / Low spirits
13. Broken spirit
Meaning: Feeling very sad and hopeless.
Sample Sentences: After the accident, his spirit was broken. / She had a broken spirit when her team lost.
Other Way to Say: Very sad inside / Hopeless feeling
14. Sob uncontrollably
Meaning: To cry very hard without stopping.
Sample Sentences: He sobbed uncontrollably after losing his puppy. / She sobbed uncontrollably at the sad movie.
Other Way to Say: Cry hard / Cry nonstop
15. Tears well up
Meaning: To almost start crying; tears fill your eyes.
Sample Sentences: Tears welled up when she heard the sad news. / His eyes welled up as he said goodbye.
Other Way to Say: Get teary / Almost cry
16. Feel blue
Meaning: To feel sad.
Sample Sentences: I felt blue after my best friend moved. / She felt blue on a rainy day.
Other Way to Say: Feel sad / Down
17. Break down
Meaning: To start crying because of strong feelings.
Sample Sentences: He broke down after hearing about the accident. / She broke down when her pet got sick.
Other Way to Say: Cry hard / Lose control
18. Heart aches
Meaning: Feeling deep sadness.
Sample Sentences: Her heart ached when her friend left. / His heart ached for the lost kitten.
Other Way to Say: Feel sad inside / Hurt feelings
19. Cry one’s eyes out
Meaning: To cry a lot.
Sample Sentences: She cried her eyes out after the movie ended. / He cried his eyes out when he lost his phone.
Other Way to Say: Cry a lot / Cry very hard
20. Mourn deeply
Meaning: To feel very sad about someone who died.
Sample Sentences: The town mourned deeply after the fire. / She mourned deeply for her lost pet.
Other Way to Say: Feel sorrow / Be very sad
21. Lost for words
Meaning: Too upset or sad to say anything.
Sample Sentences: I was lost for words when my friend moved away. / She was lost for words after hearing bad news.
Other Way to Say: Speechless / Quiet because sad
22. Tears of sorrow
Meaning: Crying because of sadness.
Sample Sentences: Tears of sorrow fell when the pet died. / They shed tears of sorrow at the funeral.
Other Way to Say: Sad tears / Crying from pain
23. Heavy-hearted
Meaning: Feeling very sad.
Sample Sentences: He was heavy-hearted after losing the game. / She felt heavy-hearted when her best friend left.
Other Way to Say: Very sad / Down inside
24. Broken down in tears
Meaning: Started crying a lot.
Sample Sentences: She broke down in tears after the bad news. / He broke down in tears when his toy broke.
Other Way to Say: Cry hard / Cry suddenly
25. Tear-streaked face
Meaning: A face with tears running down.
Sample Sentences: Her tear-streaked face showed she was upset. / He came home with a tear-streaked face after the game.
Other Way to Say: Face with tears / Crying face
26. Heart filled with grief
Meaning: Feeling very sad inside.
Sample Sentences: Her heart was filled with grief after losing her pet. / He felt his heart fill with grief at the funeral.
Other Way to Say: Very sad inside / Heavy feelings
27. Weep bitterly
Meaning: Cry very sadly.
Sample Sentences: She wept bitterly after the argument. / He wept bitterly when his bike was stolen.
Other Way to Say: Cry hard / Cry sadly
28. Tearful eyes
Meaning: Eyes with tears ready to fall.
Sample Sentences: She looked at me with tearful eyes. / His tearful eyes showed he was upset.
Other Way to Say: Eyes full of tears / Almost crying
29. Sorrow weighs heavy
Meaning: Feeling very sad and tired from grief.
Sample Sentences: Sorrow weighed heavy on her after the loss. / His sorrow was heavy after the bad news.
Other Way to Say: Very sad / Heavy feelings
30. Cry in silence
Meaning: To cry quietly alone.
Sample Sentences: She cried in silence so no one would see. / He cried in silence after the loss.
Other Way to Say: Cry quietly / Cry alone
31. Tears fall like rain
Meaning: Crying a lot.
Sample Sentences: Tears fell like rain during the sad movie. / Her tears fell like rain after the goodbye.
Other Way to Say: Cry a lot / Cry hard
32. Heavy with sorrow
Meaning: Feeling very sad and serious.
Sample Sentences: The room was heavy with sorrow after the news. / She felt heavy with sorrow all day.
Other Way to Say: Very sad / Filled with grief
33. Grief-stricken
Meaning: Overcome with deep sadness.
Sample Sentences: The family was grief-stricken after losing their dog. / He was grief-stricken when his friend moved away.
Other Way to Say: Very sad / Deeply upset
34. Tears streaming down
Meaning: Tears flowing down the face.
Sample Sentences: Tears streamed down her face at the farewell. / His tears streamed down after the accident.
Other Way to Say: Crying / Tears falling
35. Cry your heart out
Meaning: To cry very much and deeply.
Sample Sentences: She cried her heart out after losing her pet. / He cried his heart out when his team lost.
Other Way to Say: Cry a lot / Cry hard
36. Heavy with grief
Meaning: Feeling very sad and weighed down by sorrow.
Sample Sentences: She was heavy with grief after the loss. / His heart was heavy with grief at the funeral.
Other Way to Say: Very sad / Full of sorrow
37. Tears choke you
Meaning: Feeling like tears are stopping you from speaking.
Sample Sentences: Tears choked her when she tried to say goodbye. / He was choked by tears at the sad news.
Other Way to Say: Almost can’t speak / Cry too much
38. Sobbing quietly
Meaning: Crying softly without loud noises.
Sample Sentences: She was sobbing quietly in her room. / He sobbed quietly after the bad news.
Other Way to Say: Cry softly / Quiet crying
39. Grief overwhelms
Meaning: Feeling very sad and unable to stop it.
Sample Sentences: Grief overwhelmed her after losing her pet. / He was overwhelmed by grief at the funeral.
Other Way to Say: Very sad / Sadness is too much
40. Tears well in eyes
Meaning: Tears appear but don’t fall yet.
Sample Sentences: Tears welled in her eyes during the sad song. / His eyes welled up as he watched the movie.
Other Way to Say: Almost crying / Eyes fill with tears
41. Heart feels heavy
Meaning: Feeling sad inside.
Sample Sentences: His heart felt heavy after the fight. / She felt her heart heavy with loss.
Other Way to Say: Sad feelings / Heavy inside
42. Tears break free
Meaning: Tears start to flow after holding back.
Sample Sentences: Tears broke free when she heard the news. / His tears broke free at the goodbye.
Other Way to Say: Start crying / Can’t hold back tears
43. Sorrow fills the heart
Meaning: Feeling very sad inside.
Sample Sentences: Sorrow filled his heart after losing his pet. / Her heart was full of sorrow at the funeral.
Other Way to Say: Very sad / Heavy feelings
44. Cry buckets
Meaning: To cry a lot.
Sample Sentences: She cried buckets after her team lost. / He cried buckets when his favorite toy broke.
Other Way to Say: Cry a lot / Cry hard
45. Tears soak the face
Meaning: Tears covering the face.
Sample Sentences: Tears soaked her face during the sad story. / His tears soaked his cheeks after the news.
Other Way to Say: Crying hard / Tears all over
46. Feel shattered inside
Meaning: Feeling very sad and broken.
Sample Sentences: She felt shattered inside when her friend left. / His heart was shattered after the accident.
Other Way to Say: Very sad / Broken feelings
47. Tears blur vision
Meaning: Crying so much you can’t see clearly.
Sample Sentences: Her tears blurred her vision at the goodbye. / His tears blurred his sight after the loss.
Other Way to Say: Crying hard / Can’t see clearly
48. Wallow in sorrow
Meaning: To stay sad for a long time.
Sample Sentences: He wallowed in sorrow after losing his pet. / She wallowed in sorrow for days after the fight.
Other Way to Say: Stay sad / Keep feeling bad
49. Cry softly
Meaning: To cry quietly.
Sample Sentences: She cried softly so no one would hear. / He cried softly after the bad news.
Other Way to Say: Quiet crying / Soft tears
50. Heart breaks in two
Meaning: Feeling very hurt and sad.
Sample Sentences: His heart broke in two when his friend left. / Her heart broke in two after the fight.
Other Way to Say: Very sad / Deep hurt
51. Tears drip down
Meaning: Tears slowly falling down.
Sample Sentences: Tears dripped down her cheeks during the sad movie. / His tears dripped down at the goodbye.
Other Way to Say: Crying / Tears falling
52. Sob like a baby
Meaning: Crying a lot, like a small child.
Sample Sentences: She sobbed like a baby after losing her pet. / He sobbed like a baby when he got hurt.
Other Way to Say: Cry hard / Cry a lot
53. Cry for comfort
Meaning: Crying to feel better.
Sample Sentences: She cried for comfort after the bad day. / He cried for comfort when he missed his family.
Other Way to Say: Cry to feel better / Cry to get help
54. Heart aches with pain
Meaning: Feeling deep sadness inside.
Sample Sentences: Her heart ached with pain after the loss. / His heart ached with pain at the funeral.
Other Way to Say: Very sad / Hurt inside
55. Tears tell the story
Meaning: Crying shows how sad someone is.
Sample Sentences: Tears told the story of her sadness. / His tears told the story of his pain.
Other Way to Say: Crying shows feelings / Tears explain sadness
Multiple Choice Quiz: Idioms for Grief
1. What does “cry one’s heart out” mean?
A) Yell really loudly
B) Cry very hard because you are sad
C) Laugh until you cry
2. If someone has a “heavy heart,” how are they feeling?
A) Excited about something
B) Tired from working out
C) Very sad or upset
3. What does it mean when someone is “at a loss for words”?
A) They forgot their homework
B) They are too sad to speak
C) They are talking too much
4. What is meant by the idiom “feel blue”?
A) They are wearing blue clothes
B) They are feeling cold
C) They are feeling sad
5. If someone is “down in the dumps,” what are they likely feeling?
A) Angry at their friend
B) Sad or gloomy
C) Excited about a trip
6. What does the idiom “heart sinks” describe?
A) Being underwater
B) Feeling really happy
C) A sudden feeling of sadness
7. When someone says they are “grief-stricken,” how do they feel?
A) They are full of sadness
B) They are ready to play
C) They are stuck in traffic
8. What does it mean if someone is “choked up”?
A) They are coughing
B) They are almost crying and can’t talk
C) They are eating fast
9. If someone “falls apart” after hearing bad news, what happened?
A) They feel deeply sad and lose control
B) They break something
C) They take a break
10. If a story is a “tearjerker,” what kind of story is it?
A) A scary story
B) A story that makes people laugh
C) A story that makes people cry
11. What does it mean when someone has a “lump in their throat”?
A) They are sick
B) They are about to cry but holding it in
C) They are eating something large
12. If someone says “there wasn’t a dry eye,” what does it mean?
A) Everyone spilled water
B) It was raining
C) Everyone was crying
Answer Key
- B) Cry very hard because you are sad
- C) Very sad or upset
- B) They are too sad to speak
- C) They are feeling sad
- B) Sad or gloomy
- C) A sudden feeling of sadness
- A) They are full of sadness
- B) They are almost crying and can’t talk
- A) They feel deeply sad and lose control
- C) A story that makes people cry
- B) They are about to cry but holding it in
- C) Everyone was crying
Scoring Guide
- 12 Correct Answers: Love Idiom Master! You truly understand these idioms and their meaning.
- 8–11 Correct Answers: Well on your way to understanding love idioms. Keep learning and noticing them in stories and conversations.
- 4–7 Correct Answers: Room for improvement, but you’re getting there! Try reviewing the idioms again.
- 0–3 Correct Answers: Let’s explore the world of love idioms together. Start with a few idioms and build your way up.
Conclusion
Grief is a hard feeling, but idioms help us talk about it in ways that feel more natural and easier to share. When we hear phrases like heavy heart or cry a river, we understand the deep emotions behind them.
By learning these idioms, you now have more ways to understand how others feel and to express your own feelings, too. These phrases are part of everyday language and can help you show care and kindness when someone is going through something tough.
