singing the blues
idiom
: feeling sad and discouraged
He's been singing the blues since he lost his job.
Examples of singing the blues in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Filoli Historic House & Garden is closing its Summer Stage Concert Series with a reverend singing the blues and a band playing music from the Roaring ’20s to the Swinging ’60s.
—
Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2025
But Friday left Lucky’s management singing the blues in the night after a state inspector closed the food hall.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 4 Aug. 2025
The veteran lefty pitched his heart out Wednesday night, but once again, the Rockies were left singing the blues after a 5-1 loss to the Phillies at Citizens Bank Ballpark.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 2 Apr. 2025
Drew Barrymore ain't singing the blues over her Music and Lyrics costar Hugh Grant's recent critique of her questionable vocals.
—Emlyn Travis, EW.com, 17 Mar. 2023
The fate of a $2.3-million vinyl record collection has some in San Diego singing the blues.
—Ryan Fonsecastaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2023
Lavelle White, born in 1929, was still singing the blues at Skylark until the doors closed.
—Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 28 Dec. 2020
Downtown Anchorage street musician Cal Austermuhl had good reason to be singing the blues Wednesday, the same day the state of Alaska began distributing $992 checks that will be paid to nearly every resident.
—Mark Thiessen, Anchorage Daily News, 2 July 2020
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2025
But Friday left Lucky’s management singing the blues in the night after a state inspector closed the food hall.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 4 Aug. 2025
The veteran lefty pitched his heart out Wednesday night, but once again, the Rockies were left singing the blues after a 5-1 loss to the Phillies at Citizens Bank Ballpark.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 2 Apr. 2025
Drew Barrymore ain't singing the blues over her Music and Lyrics costar Hugh Grant's recent critique of her questionable vocals.
—Emlyn Travis, EW.com, 17 Mar. 2023
The fate of a $2.3-million vinyl record collection has some in San Diego singing the blues.
—Ryan Fonsecastaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2023
Lavelle White, born in 1929, was still singing the blues at Skylark until the doors closed.
—Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 28 Dec. 2020
Downtown Anchorage street musician Cal Austermuhl had good reason to be singing the blues Wednesday, the same day the state of Alaska began distributing $992 checks that will be paid to nearly every resident.
—Mark Thiessen, Anchorage Daily News, 2 July 2020
Cite this Entry
“Singing the blues.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/singing%20the%20blues. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share