vale of tears






vale of tears

the world regarded as a scene of trouble or sorrow – literary

This phrase dates from the mid 16th century.

Earlier variants included vale of trouble, vale of weeping and vale of woe.

1997 - Shetland Times - Then by God’s grace we’ll meet again, Beyond this vale of tears.




Related Idioms and Phrases :



take his name in vain

use his name in a way that shows a lack of respect.

The third of the biblical Ten Commandments is : Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain (Exodus 20:7).



the vale of years

the declining years of a person’s life

old age

This expression comes from Shakespeare's Othello : for I am declined into the vale of years.



do a vanishing act

Do a disappearing act go away without being seen to go, especially when someone is looking for you.

The suggestion here is that the person has vanished as completely and inexplicably as things vanish in a magician's act.



variety is the spice of life

New and exciting experiences make life more interesting.

This proverbial expression comes from William Cowper's poem THE TASK (1785) : Variety is the very spice of life….That gives it all its flavour.



beyond the veil

in a mysterious or hidden

place or state, especially the unknown state of existence after death.

The phrase was originally a figurative reference to the veil which concealed the innermost sanctuary of the Temple in Jerusalem…it was later taken as referring to the mysterious division between the next world and this.



draw a veil over

avoid discussing or calling attention to something, especially because it is embarrassing or unpleasant.



take the veil

become a nun.



with a vengeance

in a higher degree than was expected or desired

in the fullest sense



vent your spleen

give free expression to your anger or displeasure.

2003 - Guardian - Woodgate’s clumsy challenge on the striker was not contested, though the visitors wasted little time in venting spleen at both the culpable Danish midfielder and, erroneously, the young pretender.



Pyrrhic Victory

a victory gained at too great a cost

Pyrrhus was a king of Epirus who defeated the Romans at Asculum in 279 BC….but in doing so sustained heavy losses and lost his finest troops.



take a dim view of = take a poor view of

regard someone or something with disapproval.

1996 - C. J. Stone Fierce Dancing - He says that... the Home Office... take a dim view of lifers talking to the press.




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