What does “Beside yourself” mean?
"Beside yourself" means being extremely upset or overwhelmed.
What context can I use the in?
Example
When I found out I got the job, I was beside myself with joy.
Example
After losing the championship game, the team was beside themselves with disappointment.
Example
She was beside herself with grief after her dog passed away
Is “Beside yourself” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Beside yourself” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “Beside yourself” effectively in context?
You can use "Beside Yourself" to describe a state of extreme emotion, usually being overwhelmed or upset. It emphasizes the intensity of the feeling. For example, if you receive great news, you might say, 'I was "beside myself" with joy.'
- 1Happiness
When I found out I got the job, I was beside myself with joy.
- 2Disappointment
After losing the championship game, the team was beside themselves with disappointment.
- 3Grief
She was beside herself with grief after her dog passed away.
Similar phrases to “Beside yourself”:
Feeling completely overcome or overpowered by something
Example
She was overwhelmed with joy when she received the award.
Feeling extreme shock, sadness, or grief
Example
He was devastated by the loss of his best friend.
Feeling extreme happiness or excitement
Example
They were ecstatic when they won the lottery.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Beside yourself” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Beside Yourself" is unknown.
Is “Beside yourself” common in everyday conversation?
Yes, "Beside Yourself" is a common expression in everyday conversation. People often use it to convey strong emotions and feelings of being overwhelmed or upset.
What tone does “Beside yourself” have?
"Beside Yourself" conveys a tone of intense emotion. It is used to describe situations where someone is extremely upset or overwhelmed.
Can “Beside yourself” be used in informal and formal settings?
The phrase "Beside Yourself" is more commonly used in informal settings. It is often used in casual conversations with friends, family, or colleagues. However, it can also be used in more formal situations to emphasize strong emotions.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'I was "beside myself" with anger.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'I'm "beside myself"!' to express extreme emotion.
