The Idiom Attic - a collection of hundreds of English idioms, each one explained.
"failure" idioms...
See also, a list of phrases that relate in some way to the word failure
" A sorry sight "
Meaning:
1. Something sadly neglected. 2. A person or thing of untidy appearance.
Example:
1. These Georgian townhouses were beautiful when they were built, but they make a sorry sight now they’ve been left unoccupied and vandalised. 2. Since Jim hit the bottle after Joan left him he’s not been taking care of himself. He looked a sorry sight today just dressed in old clothes and slippers.
Tommy just took off across the moors with no gear and no phone. He ended up in hospital but no one is too sorry for him - he was the author of his own misfortune.
Said when a previously promising enterprise goes irretrievably wrong.
Example:
It was pretty easy to get a loan in 2007, but the wheels came off the world banking system when they found out they had loaned out far too much.
Hear the idiom spoken:
" Worse for wear "
Meaning:
Either 1. Shabby and worn out, or 2. Drunk.
Example:
1. This winter coat is a few years old now and is starting to look a bit worse for wear. 2. I know it's Jack's leaving do and he wants to stay until the end but, after all those tequia slammers, he's begining to look a little worse for wear.