# wear sackcloth and ashes

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/wear-sackcloth-and-ashes
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To publicly express regret for something done wrong.

## Examples

- He wears sackcloth and ashes for his mistake.
- After the scandal broke, the politician appeared on television to wear sackcloth and ashes for his poor decisions.
- The disgraced executive stood before the board of directors to wear sackcloth and ashes, hoping his public display of remorse would save his career.

## 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".

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.