wear sackcloth and ashes en · VERB
Etymology
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".
Meanings
- (idiomatic) To publicly express regret for something done wrong.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| wears sackcloth and ashes | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| wearing sackcloth and ashes | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| worn sackcloth and ashes | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| wore sackcloth and ashes | Tense=Past | lexicographic |
Relateds
Translations (8)
pl posypać sobie głowę popiołem (to publicly express regret for something done wrong) · it cospargersi il capo di cenere (to publicly express regret for something done wrong) · de sich Asche aufs Haupt streuen (to publicly express regret for something done wrong) · pl posypywać sobie głowę popiołem (to publicly express regret for something done wrong) · ru посыпа́ть го́лову пе́плом (to publicly express regret for something done wrong) · fi pukeutua säkkiin ja tuhkaan (to publicly express regret for something done wrong) · ga caith sacéadach agus luaithreach (to publicly express regret for something done wrong) · da klæde sig i sæk og aske (to publicly express regret for something done wrong)