Meaning of "to be hurting"



What exactly does the phrase "he/she was hurting" mean? Is the person in question experiencing pain?


Update: I am specifically looking for the phrase "to be hurting", not the individual words "hurt" or "hurting". I searched Google and Merriam Webster and did not find that specific phrase explained.



Answer



To be hurting can mean, of course, the literal definition, which is experiencing physical or mental pain or suffering (TheFreeDictionary).


Informally, it can mean some kind of distress, especially financial, but not necessarily literal pain or suffering. For example:



My pocket book is hurting after my last shopping spree.



Also informally, it can mean some kind of desire or wanting. For example:



I'm hurting for some of my wife's good cooking.



(See the slang definition for "jones")


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