wearing sackcloth and ashes
Publicly displaying grief
Wearing sackcloth and ashes describes a state of mourning, penitence, or public self-abasement.
The phrase comes from the ancient Near Eastern practice of donning rough cloth and covering oneself with ashes as a sign of grief or repentance.
Today it's usually figurative—excessive shows of guilt or contrition: There's no need to wear sackcloth and ashes over a minor mistake.
- regretfulFeeling sorrow over actions
- shamefacedShowing visible embarrassment
- mea culpaAcknowledgment of personal blame
- hairshirtGarment worn for penance
- contriteFeeling guilt over misdeeds
act of contrition · rueful · sorrowful · penitence · apologetic · public apology · guilt-ridden · lamentation · prostration · chastened · self-flagellation · atonement · guilty · humility · Job · fasting · mournful · abstinence
wearing sackcloth and ashescelebrating
Observing with festivity
rejoicing · jubilant · festive · triumphant · making merry
wearing sackcloth and ashesunrepentant
Feeling no remorse
shameless · defiant · impenitent · remorseless · unapologetic
wearing sackcloth and ashesdressed to the nines
Extremely well-attired
resplendent · adorned · bejeweled · opulent
wearer, wearable, wearability, wearing, sacking, sacked, cloths, clothe, clothes