“(As) guilty/miserable/ugly as sin” is a common idiom used in the English language to describe a person’s state of being. The phrase is often used to convey a strong sense of negativity and is associated with feelings of shame, remorse, and self-loathing. In this article, we will explore the meaning and origin of this idiom, its associations, synonyms, and antonyms, and provide example sentences to help you understand its usage.
Definitions
The phrase “(as) guilty/miserable/ugly as sin” is an idiom that is used to describe a person’s state of being. The word “sin” in this context refers to a moral or ethical transgression, and the phrase implies that the person in question is guilty of a serious offense. The phrase “miserable as sin” suggests that the person is extremely unhappy or distressed, while “ugly as sin” implies that the person is unattractive or unpleasant to look at.
Origin
The origin of the phrase “(as) guilty/miserable/ugly as sin” is unclear, but it is believed to have originated in the early 19th century. The word “sin” has been used in the English language for centuries to refer to a moral or ethical transgression, and it is likely that the phrase evolved from this usage.
Meaning in different dictionaries
The phrase “(as) guilty/miserable/ugly as sin” is not typically found in dictionaries, but its meaning is widely understood in English-speaking cultures. The phrase is often used colloquially to describe a person’s state of being, and its meaning is generally understood to be negative.
Associations
The phrase “(as) guilty/miserable/ugly as sin” is associated with feelings of shame, remorse, and self-loathing. It is often used to describe a person who has committed a serious offense or is experiencing extreme unhappiness or distress. The phrase is also associated with a sense of ugliness or unpleasantness, suggesting that the person in question is unattractive or repulsive in some way.
Synonyms
There are several synonyms for the phrase “(as) guilty/miserable/ugly as sin,” including:
- Ashamed as a dog.
- Wretched as a sinner.
- Repugnant as a devil.
- Hideous as a monster.
Antonyms
The antonyms of the phrase “(as) guilty/miserable/ugly as sin” would be phrases that convey a positive state of being, such as:
- Happy as a lark.
- Beautiful as a rose.
- Innocent as a lamb.
- Pure as the driven snow.
The same root words
The root word in the phrase “(as) guilty/miserable/ugly as sin” is “sin,” which is derived from the Old English word “synn.” The word “sin” is also related to the Latin word “peccatum,” which means “fault” or “offense.”
Example Sentences
Here are a few example sentences that use the phrase “(as) guilty/miserable/ugly as sin”:
- After cheating on his wife, John felt guilty as sin.
- Sarah was miserable as sin after losing her job.
- The old house was ugly as sin, with peeling paint and broken windows.
The phrase “(as) guilty/miserable/ugly as sin” is a common idiom used in the English language to describe a person’s state of being. The phrase is associated with feelings of shame, remorse, and self-loathing, and is often used to describe a person who has committed a serious offense or is experiencing extreme unhappiness or distress. While the origin of the phrase is unclear, it is widely understood in English-speaking cultures and is often used colloquially to convey a strong sense of negativity.