compare and despair

Definitions

To distress oneself by comparing one's own situation with that of others who seem more successful.

Examples

“We are now on a path, a pilgrimage, a journey, an adventure, and we must now begin⟳ to pay⟳ more attention. Look⟳ at the signs guiding you, look⟳ at those who ambush you, even the weather of your own⟳ moods defines whether you succeed⟳ or not. One of the other damaging evils we do to ourselves is compare⟳ and despair ourselves and our careers against other people. “Oh, look⟳ at her! She had connections! She was always the favorite! I'm not there yet!””

“Thanks to social media, the opportunity to compare⟳ and despair is only ever a click away. We can instantly see⟳ what we haven't got and the places we haven't been invited to.”

CEFR level