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Why the long face?

Phrase of the day

Discover a new phrase each day to use in your English! These are special phrases and sayings that English speakers use all the time, but you don't often see these phrases in English course books or other study material. Visit daily to learn some popular English phrases on a regular basis.

3 August 2026

Why the long face?

We use this expression when we notice that another person is sad or not happy and we want to ask why. We might also be criticising the other person for showing a negative emotion at a time when we think that everybody should be happy.

Written: No

Spoken: Yes

Formal: No

Informal: Yes

Example 1

Sarah, why the long face? Is it your exam results? I thought you’d got good ones.

Yes it is. I got four A grades but only six A-stars. And all of my friends got at least eight.

Example 2

Dad, I want to go home.

Oh come on! Why the long face? We’ve only just arrived at the swimming pool.

The water’s really cold today. I want to go home.

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