When you're totally smitten by someone or something but can't have it, you might find yourself "pining after" that elusive desire. It's like craving chocolate cake when you're on a strict diet, except the emotional stakes are higher!
In short:
"Pining after" refers to deeply missing or yearning for someone or something that you can't have.
This phrase is used to describe a feeling of deep, often unrequited, longing for someone or something. The key aspect of "pining after" is that the object of affection is generally unattainable, at least for the moment.
Though you might be plugging along trying to distract yourself, your mind keeps drifting back to what you're pining after.
The term "pining" is derived from the Old English word "pinian," which meant to torture or cause to suffer. The modern usage has been traced back to literary works from as early as the 16th century.
"Shall I, wasting in despair, Die because a woman's fair?"
- George Wither, 17th-century English poet and pamphleteer.
This ancient connection tends to call attention to the emotional weight the term has carried through the centuries.
Here are some sentences that illustrate the usage of the idiom in various contexts.
Here are some instances where the term "pining after" has made its appearance in popular culture.
There are various other ways to convey the same or similar meaning:
Each of these expressions has its nuances, but they can often substitute for "pining after."
The term refers to a strong emotional yearning or longing for someone or something. It conveys the idea that you miss that person or thing so much that it occupies your thoughts frequently.
The term has its roots in older English literature and draws from the word "pine," which is a verb for suffering or wasting away. The phrase implies not just a desire but a sort of emotional suffering because of that desire.
The phrase is commonly used in everyday conversation and literature to describe a profound sense of yearning or longing for something or someone. It often carries a sentimental or emotional weight.
No, while it is often used in a romantic context, it can also refer to a longing for other things, like a place, an object, or even a period of time.
Yes, some people use the phrase in a lighter, more humorous context to emphasize that they're missing something but without the emotional heaviness often associated with it.
While the phrase is primarily used in English-speaking cultures, the emotion it describes is universal. Different cultures have their own idioms or phrases that convey a similar sentiment.
Yes, the term is often employed in literature to convey deep emotional states of characters. It can serve as a powerful tool to communicate sentiments that might be difficult to express otherwise.
Yes, if someone is said to be pining after something or someone to an extreme extent, it could imply a lack of focus on other important aspects of life.
You can use the term as a verb in a sentence, for example: "She's been pining after him for years." Alternatively, you can use it as part of a larger expression to convey the same idea.
Yes, the term is prevalent in movies, songs, and TV shows, often used to depict characters who are yearning for love or a different state of being. It's a phrase that most people are familiar with because of its frequent use in various forms of media.
In the grand tapestry of language, idioms like "pining after" paint vivid imagery that speaks to universal human experiences. The term refers to an intense emotional yearning or longing for someone or something.
Idioms like "pining after" bring depth and color to our daily communications. They offer a shorthand for complex feelings and situations, adding layers to our conversations and writings. They're more than just phrases; they're windows into our collective thoughts and feelings.
