ENGLISH
REFERENCE

wear sackcloth and ashes

idiom
Meaning

To publicly express regret for something done wrong.


Origin

disputed origin

From the Bible Book of Esther 4:1 "When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly".

Examples
SIMPLE

He wears sackcloth and ashes for his mistake.

CONTEXTUAL

After the scandal broke, the politician appeared on television to wear sackcloth and ashes for his poor decisions.

COMPLEX

The disgraced executive stood before the board of directors to wear sackcloth and ashes, hoping his public display of remorse would save his career.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    dine on ashes

    To mope over past defeats or failures.

  2. 02

    does the Pope wear a funny hat

    Obviously! Rhetorical question in response to a question where the answer is an emphatic yes.

  3. 03

    if the shoe fits, wear it

    If a description fits, it is probably the case; if an insult accurately describes you, you must bear it; if you take offence at an insult that was only implicitly directed at you, you admit the insult is true enough to be recognizable.

  4. 04

    wear one's heart on one's sleeve

    To be very transparent, open, or forthright about one's emotions.

  5. 05

    wear out one's welcome

    To behave in an offensive, burdensome, or tiresome manner, with the result that one's continued presence is unwanted within a residence, commercial establishment, or social group.

  6. 06

    wear rose-colored glasses

    To see the positive in things while being oblivious to the negative.

  7. 07

    wear the trousers

    (typically of a woman) To be the dominant partner in a relationship.

  8. 08

    wear thin

    To lessen or weaken over time, as from overuse.

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