To Feel Blue – English Idiom

What does it mean when someone says that they are feeling blue?

Meaning of Feeling Blue

To feel blue is an English idiom that means to feel sad, downhearted, or melancholic. When someone says they are “feeling blue,” it indicates that they are experiencing a state of sadness or emotional distress.

For example, if someone says, “I’ve been feeling blue lately,” they are expressing that they have been feeling sad or emotionally low recently. It’s a figurative way to convey their emotional state without going into specific details.

Feeling blue often suggests a temporary and passing state of sadness rather than a prolonged or clinical condition. It is commonly used to describe moments of sadness or when someone is going through a difficult time emotionally.

Sometimes a person can also use the verb TO BE and say “I am blue.” or “He’s a little blue right now.”

The origin of this idiom is not entirely clear, but it has been used to describe feelings of sadness or depression since at least the 17th century. The color blue has been associated with sadness in various cultures and literature, which might be why this idiom came into use.

Examples sentences with To Feel Blue


The following sentences demonstrate how the idiom “to feel blue” is used to describe feelings of sadness or emotional distress in various situations.

  1. After her pet passed away, she couldn’t help but feel blue for weeks.
  2. He’s been feeling blue ever since he lost his job.
  3. The rainy weather always makes me feel a bit blue.
  4. Sarah was feeling blue on her birthday because she missed her family, who couldn’t be with her on that special day.
  5. Whenever I listen to sad music, it makes me feel even more blue.
  6. After the breakup, he spent a few days feeling blue before starting to move on.
  7. She didn’t want to bring anyone else down, so she kept her feelings of being blue to herself.
  8. Jenny felt a bit blue after receiving a rejection letter from her dream college.
  9. The loss of her beloved grandmother left her feeling incredibly blue and heartbroken.
  10. Don’t worry; everyone feels blue from time to time. It’s a natural part of life’s ups and downs.

Woodward English Chart

Meaning of the English idiom - To Feel Blue / Feeling Blue with an example sentence using this idiom.
Lesson tags: Blue, Colours, Emotions, Feelings, Idiom, Sad, Video
Back to: English Idioms > English Idioms

Pin It on Pinterest