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- DictionaryDo something until one is blue in the face
- ▪ put all one's efforts into doing something to no avail
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Exhausted from anger
- blue in the face Exhausted from anger, strain, or other great effort. For example, You can argue until you're blue in the face, but I refuse to go. This expression alludes to the bluish skin color resulting from lack of oxygen, which presumably might result from talking until one was breathless. See also under talk one's arm off.
idioms.thefreedictionary.com › blue+in+the+face
Learn the meaning and usage of the phrase "blue in the face", which means showing signs of exhaustion or strain from talking or arguing. See examples, synonyms, and related expressions from various sources.
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Idiom: (until someone is) blue in the face: 1. to talk or argue for a very long time to try to persuade someone but it's useless because they won't do or agree with what you want
— I could've argued with my parents until I was blue in the facebut they'd still never let me go to the party. — I was blue in the facetrying to explain my position but the director simply wouldn't listen to other ideas. — I've explained to my daughter until I was blue in the facethat she cannot drive my car but as you can see, she won't take no fo...
More idioms will be added in the future so check back frequently or sign-up for my free newsletterto learn about new updates to my website. 1. Home Page 2. Idioms List 3. Idiom: blue in the face
Learn the meaning and usage of the idiom "blue in the face", which means to talk or argue for a long time without success. See example sentences, synonyms and related idioms.
Learn the meaning and usage of the idiom "until you are blue in the face", which means to say or shout something repeatedly with no results. See examples, synonyms, translations and related words.
Exhausted from anger, strain, or other great effort. For example, You can argue until you're blue in the face, but I refuse to go . This expression alludes to the bluish skin color resulting from lack of oxygen, which presumably might result from talking until one was breathless. See also under talk one's arm off .
In terms of pointlessness or futility, the idiom conveys the idea that something is so futile or useless that it is as if one's face has turned blue from the sheer absurdity of it. This can also be used to express a sense of exasperation or annoyance with a task or situation.
BLUE IN THE FACE definition: exhausted and speechless , as from excessive anger , physical strain , etc. | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples.
The literal significance of being blue in the face is lack of oxygen, and indeed, this expression sometimes indicates that one has talked until one is breathless. But it also has been extended to other kinds of effort, as in “I tried to open that sardine can until I was blue in the face.”
