felt blue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "felt blue" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express feelings of sadness or melancholy. Example: "After hearing the news, I really felt blue for the rest of the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

He felt blue.

The New Yorker

When their hormone levels went back to normal, these women felt blue.

The New York Times - Science

Those members of the "Avatar" audience who said that they felt blue, in every sense, as the movie ebbed away were the most accurate critics of all.

The New Yorker

I have felt blue sometimes, and on some days I have chosen not to work on this difficult subject, but I feel far away from the reality described here, and, were it not for notes I wrote when I was ill, I would have been unable to describe it fully.

The New Yorker

When she felt blue, she was prone to ask questions she couldn't answer.

Huffington Post

Whenever I felt blue, I'd saunter over to Hudson and Jane Street, a few blocks from my Greenwich Village apartment, and hang out at Piccolo Angolo, the family run restaurant for 22 years, where the omnipresent persona of Renato Migliorini would be sitting outside the restaurant, hanging out in his white apron, observing the passers-by.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Despite the exorbitant ticket prices, the Coliseum felt blue-collar, befitting the sport in question.

The Guardian - Sport

Feeling Blue?

The New York Times - Style

Feeling blue is normal.

Harvard University

Feeling blue about your love life?

The New Yorker

Bubl E, et al. "Seeing Gray When Feeling Blue?

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing emotional states, consider the context. "Felt blue" is suitable for informal or conversational settings, but more formal contexts might benefit from synonyms like "felt saddened" or "experienced melancholy".

Common error

Avoid using "felt blue" in contexts where the color blue is actually relevant. The phrase should only be used to express sadness or melancholy, not to describe a physical sensation related to the color blue.

Linguistic Context

"Felt blue" functions as an idiomatic expression, where "felt" acts as a linking verb connecting the subject to the adjective "blue", which metaphorically represents sadness or melancholy. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through various examples showcasing emotional states.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "felt blue" is an idiomatic expression used to describe feelings of sadness or melancholy. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and acceptable for use, though more formal contexts might call for alternatives like "felt sad" or "was feeling melancholy". Usage is common in news, media, science, and academia, denoting a generally neutral to informal register. When writing, ensure the context aligns with the idiomatic meaning to avoid misinterpretation. While versatile, remember that precision in emotional expression is key, and considering the audience and purpose will help ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Felt sad

Direct synonym; replaces "blue" with a more common term for sadness.

Felt down

Similar in meaning; implies a lower emotional state.

Felt low

A simple and direct way to express a reduced emotional state.

Felt melancholic

Implies a more prolonged and thoughtful sadness.

Felt depressed

Indicates a more severe and persistent state of sadness.

Felt gloomy

Suggests a pervasive sense of darkness and unhappiness.

Felt disheartened

Implies a loss of enthusiasm and hope.

Was in low spirits

Uses a more descriptive and figurative way to express sadness.

Was feeling despondent

Indicates a state of hopelessness and despair.

Felt crestfallen

Implies disappointment and sadness, often after a setback.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone "felt blue"?

To say someone "felt blue" means they were experiencing sadness or melancholy. It's an idiom that uses the color blue as a metaphor for feeling down.

What can I say instead of "felt blue"?

You can use alternatives like "felt sad", "felt down", or "was feeling melancholy" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use the phrase "felt blue" in formal writing?

While understandable, "felt blue" is generally more suitable for informal or conversational contexts. In formal writing, consider using more precise and descriptive language to convey the specific emotion.

How did the expression "felt blue" originate?

The association of the color blue with sadness has historical roots in literature and art. Over time, this association became idiomatic, leading to the expression "felt blue" as a way to describe feelings of sadness or depression.