Phrase guide

enough to make the angels weep

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

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Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

Something so distressing that it causes one to lose hope and faith.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • For several years the government has continuously reduced the amount of money spent on education. Now they complain that teachers are not doing their job properly- It's enough to make the angels weep.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From a passage in Shakespeare, Measure for Measure...man ,/Drest in a little brief authority,/plays such fantastic tricks before high heaven/As make the angels weep.