in a bad mood

Idioms  

1. In an irritable or depressed state of mind. For example, Dad's in a bad mood, so don't ask for anything right now. The antonym, in a good mood, refers to a cheerful, well-disposed state of mind, as in When the boss is in a good mood our whole day goes well. The phrase in a mood, meaning “disposed” or “inclined,” dates from about a.d. 1000. Also see in the mood.

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Example Sentences

People shared consistent reasons for this: the news put them in a bad mood, they felt overwhelmed and powerless to act.

From Science Daily • Jun. 16, 2026

I’m not in a bad mood or anything, but we have two apartments, so when we get up, Hugh goes downstairs and I have my morning upstairs.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 25, 2026

“I know that this thing is really putting me in a bad mood and it’s making me feel fatigue and I should step away from it, but I also can’t.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 13, 2026

"Sometimes one of us would be in a bad mood or not want to go. It is beautiful looking back on it, but anything with children is quite challenging at the time."

From BBC • Aug. 10, 2024

Ron was still in a bad mood with Hermione next day.

From "Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban" by J.K. Rowling

Related Words

• cranky
• dour
• gloomy
• glum
• grouchy
• melancholy
• mournful
• sad
• sullen
• surly
• testy
• ugly