despair
a counsel of despair
An admission of defeat, hopelessness, or resignation to a particular negative outcome or situation. It saddens me to hear such a counsel of despair from our president about the situation regarding our healthcare system. Though obviously spruced up with media-friendly spin, the PR statement amounted to little more than a counsel of despair regarding the company's future outlooks.
See also: counsel, despair, of
despair of (something)
To view a situation as hopeless. Considering her dire diagnosis, I despaired of grandma ever regaining her health.
See also: despair, of
drive (one) to despair
To cause one to experience sadness, hopelessness, and/or frustration. I'm not surprised that his wife's death has driven him to despair—grief has that effect on people. Try not to let this rejection drive you to despair.
See also: despair, drive
fall into despair
To enter into a state of utter hopelessness, helplessness, and depression. I fell into despair when I was told I hadn't gotten the job. We can't fall into despair just because our sales figures weren't what we were hoping for—we've got to pick ourselves up and do what is necessary to get back on track!
See also: despair, fall
in the depths of (something)
In the middle of and wholly consumed by a particularly negative and/or difficult situation or emotional state. The country was in the depths of the worst economic disaster of the last century. While I was in the depths of depression, I found that I couldn't even get out of bed in the morning.
See also: depth, of
sink into despair
To enter into a state of utter hopelessness, helplessness, and depression. I sank into despair when I was told I hadn't gotten the job. We can't sink into despair just because our sales figures weren't what we were hoping for—we've got to pick ourselves up and do what is necessary to get back on track!
See also: despair, sink
throw (one's) arms up in despair
1. To make a gesture physically indicating one's despair and disbelief (about something.) We threw our arms up in despair after they told us that our appointment had been rescheduled again for a third time. The computer crashed for the third time that day, and I threw my arms up in despair.
2. To express or indicate that one gives up or submits to futility or failure. (Not necessarily done by literally putting one's arms in the air.) The student threw his arms up in despair, claiming that the math problems were impossible to solve. Don't just throw your arms up in despair—keep trying.
See also: arm, despair, throw, up
throw (one's) hands up in despair
1. To make a gesture physically indicating one's despair and disbelief (about something.) We threw our hands up in despair after they told us that our appointment had been rescheduled again for a third time. The computer crashed for the third time that day, and I threw my hands up in despair.
2. To express or indicate that one gives up or submits to futility or failure. (Not necessarily done by literally putting one's hands in the air.) The student threw his hands up in despair, claiming that the math problems were impossible to solve. Don't just throw your hands up in despair—keep trying.
See also: despair, hand, throw, up
throw up (one's) hands
To submit or give up. I'm ready to throw up my hands after trying to train this unruly puppy. Don't just throw up your hands—keep trying.
See also: hand, throw, up
throw up (one's) hands in despair
To indicate one's unwilling and despairing submission to or acceptance of something. We threw up our hands in despair after they told us that our appointment had been rescheduled again for a third time. All you can do is throw your arms up in despair at the way the government is being run these days.
See also: despair, hand, throw, up
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
despair of something
to give up all hope of something. Do not despair of his returning; I think we will see him again. I despair of ever seeing her again.
See also: despair, of
drive someone to despair
Fig. to depress someone; to frustrate someone. Sometimes raising an infant drives me to despair! The recent problems drove her to despair.
See also: despair, drive
sink into despair
to become depressed; to become completely discouraged. After facing the hopelessness of the future, Jean Paul sank into despair. Mary sank into despair upon learning of the death of her grandmother.
See also: despair, sink
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
a counsel of despair
an action to be taken when all else fails. 2003 Guardian This is not a counsel of despair. The argument in favour of the euro can be won, as Winning From Behind, a pamphlet published today by Britain in Europe, argues.
See also: counsel, despair, of
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
throw up your hands/arms in deˈspair, ˈhorror, etc.
(often humorous) show that you disagree strongly with something, or are very worried about something: When she said she wanted to get a motorbike, her parents threw up their hands in horror.See also: arm, hand, throw, up
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
despair of
v.
To lose all hope for something or someone: The shipwrecked sailors despaired of being rescued. I have seen so much unfairness that I despair of a just world.
See also: despair, of
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
- a counsel of despair
- counsel
- drive (one) to despair
- drive to despair
- fall into despair
- counsel (someone) about (something)
- counsel about
- sink into despair
- like a dying duck in a thunderstorm
- by the board