a sad state (of affairs)

a sad state (of affairs)

A particularly unfortunate, unpleasant, or upsetting situation or set of circumstances. Their company has been in a sad state after Jonathan took over. It's a sad state of affairs when you can no longer be sure how you're going to feed your children each night.
See also: sad, state
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • a sorry state (of affairs)
  • come to a bad end
  • come to a bad/sticky end
  • I hate to break it to you
  • only to (do something)
  • only to do something
  • suck the big one
  • I'm sorry to say
  • suck a big one