ENGLISH
REFERENCE

sick at heart

idiom
Meaning

Despairing, distressed, or anxious.


Origin

disputed origin

From Hamlet, Act I, Scene 1, by William Shakespeare: : Francisco: For this relief much thanks: 'tis bitter cold, / And I am sick at heart.

Examples
SIMPLE

I am sick at heart about the bad news.

CONTEXTUAL

She felt sick at heart after hearing that her favorite neighborhood park would be closed forever.

COMPLEX

He remained sick at heart for weeks, unable to reconcile the sudden loss of his lifelong project with his hopes for the future.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    absence makes the heart grow fonder

    One feels more love or affection for those one loves when parted from them.

  2. 02

    all heart

    Motivated by positive emotions, especially as productive of exceptionally generous or kind behavior.

  3. 03

    be still my heart

    An admonition to oneself to calm down when overly excited, especially in terms of romantic attraction.

  4. 04

    break someone's heart

    To cause a person to feel grief, disappointment, or sadness.

  5. 05

    broken heart

    A feeling of grief or loss, especially after a failed romantic relationship.

  6. 06

    change of heart

    A change of one's opinion, belief or decision.

  7. 07

    cross my heart

    A declaration that the speaker is telling the truth.

  8. 08

    cross my heart and hope to die

    Added to a promise or a statement to show how serious one was about being honest in what one said

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