rend one's garments
To fret or moan in an excessive or theatrical manner.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Stop rending your garments over such a small mistake.”
“Whenever the team loses a game, the fans start rending their garments as if the world is ending.”
“Instead of seeking a practical solution to the crisis, the politicians preferred to rend their garments in public for the sake of appearances.”
From the Jewish practice of keriah, a tradition of mourning that involves the ritual tearing of one's clothes. The expression draws directly from the biblical custom of manifesting internal grief through the visible destruction of one's attire.
- 01
abound in one's own sense
To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.
- 02
ace up one's sleeve
A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.
- 03
act one's age
To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.
- 04
act one's age, not one's shoe size
Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).
- 05
afraid of one's own shadow
Exceptionally timid.
- 06
air one's dirty laundry in public
To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.
- 07
air one's dirty linen in public
Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.
- 08
albatross around one's neck
A characteristic, possession, associate, or previous deed that hinders one's ability to succeed.
Last updated August 10, 2026