Grief, an intense emotional response to loss, manifests in various forms and intensities. This blog post explores 20 expressions that encapsulate the multifaceted nature of grief, providing insight into this complex emotion through the lens of language.
1. Bury the hatchet
Meaning: Make peace
Example: After years of disagreement, they finally buried the hatchet.
2. Carry the torch
Meaning: Maintain a legacy
Example: She carries the torch of her late mother’s charity work.
3. Cry over spilled milk
Meaning: Regret past losses
Example: He told me not to cry over spilled milk.
4. Eat one’s heart out
Meaning: Feel deep sorrow
Example: She ate her heart out after the breakup.
5. Lick one’s wounds
Meaning: Recover from hurt
Example: He’s just licking his wounds after that harsh criticism.
6. Open old wounds
Meaning: Revive past hurts
Example: Discussing the lawsuit only opened old wounds.
7. Wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve
Meaning: Show emotions openly
Example: He wears his heart on his sleeve, grieving openly.
8. Sweep under the rug
Meaning: Hide emotional pain
Example: She swept her grief under the rug, pretending to be fine.
9. Break down
Meaning: Lose emotional control
Example: He broke down during the memorial service.
10. Come to terms with
Meaning: Accept a loss
Example: She’s finally coming to terms with her loss.
11. Hold up
Meaning: Remain strong emotionally
Example: He’s holding up well despite the circumstances.
12. Let go
Meaning: Release grief
Example: It’s time for her to let go of the past.
13. Move on
Meaning: Proceed past grief
Example: He found it hard to move on after the accident.
14. Pass away
Meaning: Die (euphemism)
Example: Her grandfather passed away last night.
15. Shake off
Meaning: Overcome sadness
Example: He’s trying to shake off his feelings of despair.
16. Fall apart
Meaning: Break down emotionally
Example: She fell apart after hearing the tragic news.
17. Beat oneself up
Meaning: Blame oneself
Example: He’s beating himself up over the things left unsaid.
18. Give in to
Meaning: Succumb to emotions
Example: She gave in to her grief at the funeral.
19. Pick up the pieces
Meaning: Recover after loss
Example: They’re slowly picking up the pieces of their life.
20. Turn over a new leaf
Meaning: Start anew after grief
Example: He’s turning over a new leaf after his period of mourning.
