beside oneself: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘beside oneself’ mean?
"Beside oneself" means being in a state of extreme emotion or agitation, often due to anger, excitement, or frustration.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "pleased with oneself" means to feel a sense of satisfaction or pride in one's achievements or abilities, often to an excessive or self-centered extent.
An idiom used to describe someone who is in an emotional or mental state of extreme agitation, distress, or confusion.
The idiom "edge of the earth" is used to describe a feeling of being in a remote, isolated, or faraway place, as if one is at the very limit or furthest point of existence or civilization.
The idiom "eat one's heart out" means to feel intense sadness or jealousy over someone else's success or happiness.
The idiom "drive someone crazy" means to cause someone to become extremely annoyed, frustrated, or mentally unstable.
"Do one's own thing" means to pursue one's own interests or activities without concern for others' opinions or conforming to societal norms.
The idiom "dead inside" means to feel emotionally empty or numb, lacking any joy, enthusiasm, or passion for life.
The idiom "cry oneself to sleep" means to cry so much that one falls asleep while crying. It is usually used to imply extreme sadness or emotional pain.
An idiom that means two things or people are extremely dissimilar or opposite in nature.
The idiom "come unhinged" means to lose one's emotional or mental stability, often resulting in erratic or unpredictable behavior.
The Mystifying Quandary
The idiom "beside oneself" is commonly used in the English language. It describes a state of extreme emotion or agitation. It can imply a loss of control over one's emotions or actions, often associated with feelings of anger, frustration, or disbelief. When someone is "beside themselves," they are in a state of utter bewilderment or extreme excitement.
One theory suggests that the idiom originated from the idea of someone being so overwhelmed with emotion that they are literally placed outside of their own body. This perspective aligns with the notion of being "beside" oneself, as if one's usual self is standing alongside their emotional state. However, this theory lacks concrete evidence.
The idiom "beside oneself" is used in both informal and formal contexts to convey a sense of being overwhelmed or unable to control one's emotions. For example, someone might say, "I was beside myself with anger when I found out what happened." In this context, the idiom emphasizes the intense emotional reaction experienced by the speaker.
The meaning of "beside oneself" may vary in different cultural and linguistic contexts. In American English, this idiom is particularly prevalent and has become ingrained in everyday conversations.
In addition to "beside oneself," there are several related idioms that convey similar states of extreme emotion or agitation. These idioms include "in a right state," "all over oneself," "pleased with oneself," "bored out of one's mind," and "carried away."
The idiom "in a right state" is used to describe someone who is extremely emotional or upset about something. It implies a state of distress or agitation, similar to being "beside oneself." For example, someone might say, "She was in a right state when she found out she lost her job."
The idiom "all over oneself" is used to describe someone who is extremely excited or enthusiastic about something. It suggests a state of being overwhelmed with emotion, similar to being "beside oneself." For example, someone might say, "He was all over himself with joy when he won the lottery."
The idiom "pleased with oneself" is used to describe someone who is excessively proud or satisfied with their accomplishments. It conveys a sense of being overwhelmed with self-satisfaction, similar to being "beside oneself." For example, someone might say, "She was pleased with herself after acing the exam."
The idiom "bored out of one's mind" is used to describe someone who is extremely uninterested or lacking stimulation. It suggests a state of extreme boredom, similar to being "beside oneself." For example, someone might say, "He was bored out of his mind during the lecture."
The idiom "carried away" is used to describe someone who is excessively emotional or enthusiastic about something. It implies a loss of control over one's emotions or actions, similar to being "beside oneself." For example, someone might say, "She got carried away with her speech and started yelling."
The idiom "beside oneself" is commonly used to describe a state of extreme emotion or agitation. It can imply a loss of control over one's emotions or actions and is often associated with feelings of anger, frustration, or disbelief. While its exact origins remain uncertain, the idiom is widely used in both informal and formal contexts, particularly in American English. It is important to note that its meaning may vary in different cultural and linguistic contexts. Additionally, there are several related idioms, such as "in a right state," "all over oneself," "pleased with oneself," "bored out of one's mind," and "carried away," that convey similar states of extreme emotion or agitation.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "beside oneself" can be used in a sentence:
- She was beside herself with joy when she received the promotion.
- He was beside himself with anger after his car got stolen.
- They were beside themselves with worry when their child went missing.
The idiom "beside oneself" is used to describe someone who is experiencing intense emotions or feeling overwhelmed by a particular situation. In each of the examples provided, the individuals are depicted as being in a state of extreme joy, anger, or worry. This idiomatic expression emphasizes the heightened emotional state that a person is in and suggests that they are unable to control or contain their feelings.
More "Emotion" idioms
