to-be-in-the-throes-of-despair
/tə biː ɪn ðə θrəʊz əv dɪˈspeə/ IELTSAcademic
phrase
To be in the throes of despair means to feel extreme hopelessness and emotional pain. It describes a very strong, difficult state that feels hard to escape.
- She was in the throes of despair after the bad news.
- He felt in the throes of despair during the trial.
Adinary Nuance
This phrase is stronger and more dramatic than simply saying someone is sad, upset, or worried. It suggests deep emotional suffering, not a mild problem. Writers use it when the feeling is extreme and overwhelming. It is more literary than everyday phrases like 'very sad.'
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- tuyệt vọng
- Spanish
- desesperación
- Chinese
- 绝望
- Japanese
- 絶望
- Korean
- 절망
Etymology
Throes comes from Old English and once meant intense pain, especially the pain of childbirth. The phrase later came to mean any very painful or severe struggle.
Common phrases
in the throes of despairfall into despaircry in despairutter despair
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is 'in the throes of despair' formal or informal?
- It is more formal and literary than everyday speech.
- How is it different from 'sad'?
- 'Sad' is mild or general. This phrase means severe hopelessness.
- Can I use it in academic writing?
- Yes, but only when you want a strong, serious tone.
- Is it common in daily conversation?
- No, people usually say 'really upset' or 'feeling hopeless' instead.