Pile on the agony/gloom

usgb
phrase

To keep talking about something that makes someone feel sad or upset.

My friend failed his exams and everyone keeps piling on the gloom.
Visual representation of "pile on the agony/gloom" - To keep talking about something that makes someone feel sad or upset

Often appears as...

  • pile on the gloom about
  • pile on the gloom and

Usage tips

Idiomatic

Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "pile on the agony/gloom"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Emphasizing sadness

Use it when someone keeps mentioning events or details that add to a feeling of sadness.

Illustration for Emphasizing sadness
After the breakup, her friends kept piling on the gloom with their own sad stories.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Negative reinforcement

It's used to describe making a situation feel worse by continuous negative comments.

Illustration for Negative reinforcement
He lost his job, and his colleagues piled on the gloom talking about the tough job market.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Avoid in comfort

Avoid using this phrase when trying to comfort someone as it can make you seem insensitive.

Illustration for Avoid in comfort
When she started to cry, I knew it was time to stop piling on the gloom.
Visual representation of the word "Pile on the agony/gloom"

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