Sad-sack

A 'sad-sack' is a person, typically a man, characterized by a consistently gloomy, pessimistic, and hapless demeanor. They are often perceived as unlucky, incompetent, and prone to self-pity. This term typically denotes someone perceived as a loser or a person struggling with misfortune or a lack of success. The phrase evokes an image of someone perpetually downtrodden and lacking in resilience, who is also not liked very much and often regarded as a pathetic figure. The term's roots lie in military jargon, but its usage has broadened to encompass various social contexts, often associated with someone incapable and weak in the face of challenges. The definition is meant to portray an individual who elicits feelings of pity, disdain, or mild amusement from others because of their perceived misfortune.

Sad-sack meaning with examples

• After losing his job and his girlfriend in the same week, Mark transformed into a real sad-sack, always moping around and complaining about his rotten luck. He stopped going out, lost interest in his hobbies, and the constant negativity was exhausting to be around. He really needs to change this attitude before he loses all of his friends.
• The team's morale plummeted after their losing streak; the coach described several players as turning into 'sad-sacks,' lacking the fire and determination needed to win. He said their defeatist attitudes were spreading, making it harder for them to be optimistic and come back from the losses. He needed to rebuild their confidence to get them back on track.
• Despite having all the advantages, John became a sad-sack, blaming everyone else for his failures. He always had an excuse and never took responsibility, making him the scapegoat for everything. Nobody took him seriously, and they grew weary of his constant complaining and lack of effort.
• Sarah couldn't help but pity her brother, who was the ultimate sad-sack; he always seemed to attract misfortune, from car troubles to job rejections, and he let every setback get him down. She was tired of his negativity and was unsure how to help him get back on his feet or pick himself up.
• In the office, Tom was known as the office sad-sack, constantly griping about his workload and gossiping negatively about others. His colleagues avoided him because his complaining was unbearable, and his general negativity was an unpleasant presence in the workplace. His attitude was a drain on everyone's positivity.