ENGLISH
REFERENCE

rend one's garments

idiom
Meaning

To fret or moan in an excessive or theatrical manner.


Origin

disputed origin

From the biblical and Jewish practice of keriah, the tearing of clothes when in mourning.

Examples
SIMPLE

Stop rending your garments over such a small mistake.

CONTEXTUAL

Whenever the team loses a game, the fans start rending their garments as if the world is ending.

COMPLEX

Instead of seeking a practical solution to the crisis, the politicians preferred to rend their garments in public for the sake of appearances.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    abound in one's own sense

    To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.

  2. 02

    ace up one's sleeve

    A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.

  3. 03

    act one's age

    To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.

  4. 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”).

  5. 05

    afraid of one's own shadow

    Exceptionally timid.

  6. 06

    air one's dirty laundry in public

    To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.

  7. 07

    air one's dirty linen in public

    Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.

  8. 08

    albatross around one's neck

    A characteristic, possession, associate, or previous deed that hinders one's ability to succeed.

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