sad sack
noun
US, informal
: a blundering, inept person
… a sad sack so unlucky in love that when his girlfriend splits, his family sides with her.
Rand Richards Cooper
Rand Richards Cooper sad-sack
ˈsad-ˌsak 
adjective 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Stefan, if something of a sad sack, is also a charming big galoot who sincerely believes in love. Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2022 For a Hall of Fame pass-rusher who has been properly honored for his accomplishments, this was one sad sack of a move. Gene Frenette, USA TODAY, 15 June 2022 Jo sees her best friend being an absolute sad sack and decides to do something about it. Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 11 Dec. 2021 The 21st century has been a boon to young abstainers who reject the word alcoholic, and to anyone who wants to quit drinking without becoming a sad sack or a prig. Virginia Heffernan, Wired, 19 Apr. 2022 The character is a variation on what Odenkirk plays so well, a charismatic sad sack kicked in the shins by life one too many times. Barbara Vandenburgh, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2022 As the couple settle into life in their California mansion, one of the renovation crew workers, a mullet-sporting sad sack named Rand Gauthier (Seth Rogen), gets angry when Lee refuses to pay him money owed for his work. oregonlive, 2 Feb. 2022 Lady Gaga was considered a safe bet for her turn as Patrizia Reggiani in this true tale, and Jared Leto had also picked up a lot of buzz for his role as a sad sack member of the Gucci family. Michael Schneider, Variety, 12 Jan. 2022 Squad offers up indelible imagery, imaginative scene transitions, treats us to the best Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) yet, and gives us the awesome sad sack tragedy of the Polka Dot Man (David Dastmalchian). Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Dec. 2021 See More
Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2022 For a Hall of Fame pass-rusher who has been properly honored for his accomplishments, this was one sad sack of a move. Gene Frenette, USA TODAY, 15 June 2022 Jo sees her best friend being an absolute sad sack and decides to do something about it. Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 11 Dec. 2021 The 21st century has been a boon to young abstainers who reject the word alcoholic, and to anyone who wants to quit drinking without becoming a sad sack or a prig. Virginia Heffernan, Wired, 19 Apr. 2022 The character is a variation on what Odenkirk plays so well, a charismatic sad sack kicked in the shins by life one too many times. Barbara Vandenburgh, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2022 As the couple settle into life in their California mansion, one of the renovation crew workers, a mullet-sporting sad sack named Rand Gauthier (Seth Rogen), gets angry when Lee refuses to pay him money owed for his work. oregonlive, 2 Feb. 2022 Lady Gaga was considered a safe bet for her turn as Patrizia Reggiani in this true tale, and Jared Leto had also picked up a lot of buzz for his role as a sad sack member of the Gucci family. Michael Schneider, Variety, 12 Jan. 2022 Squad offers up indelible imagery, imaginative scene transitions, treats us to the best Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) yet, and gives us the awesome sad sack tragedy of the Polka Dot Man (David Dastmalchian). Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Dec. 2021 See More Word History
First Known Use
1943, in the meaning defined above