To sb's chagrin
What is the exact meaning of the phrase "to sb's chagrin" ?
For example lets consider this sentence: much to her chagrin, I got the job.
Does it mean "she is sad because I got the job?" Or it means "because she was sad, I got the job"??
As another example is this sentence right?: "I'm chagrin because I couldn't do my job well" or should I say "to my chagrin, I couldn't do my job well" are these two sentences equal in meaning?.... I'm confused :(

Question

To sb's chagrin
What is the exact meaning of the phrase "to sb's chagrin" ?
For example lets consider this sentence: much to her chagrin, I got the job.
Does it mean  "she is sad because I got the job?" Or it means "because she was sad, I got the job"??
As another example is this sentence right?: "I'm chagrin because I couldn't do my job well" or should I say "to my chagrin, I couldn't do my job well" are these two sentences equal in meaning?.... I'm confused :(

Answer

"To someone's chagrin" means to their disappointment, irritation, or embarrassment, not sadness.
So it means she was irritated (she wanted you not to get the job) because I got the job.

"I'm chagrin because I couldn't do my job well" is not right, but you can simply change it to "I'm chagrined ...".
"chagrin" is both a noun and a verb ("It chagrined him that ..."), but not adjective as far as I know.

Answer

Chagrin is a noun that represents an emotion or feeling and it's an uncomfortable one. If you feel chagrin, it means that you are embarrassed, dissapionted or distressed as a result of a failure ( From the Net)

"I'm chagrin because  >XX  ( the word is a noun)
(Much) to my chagrin, I couldn't > As a introductory phrase > ok

No pierdas la oportunidad de aprender un idioma desde la comodidad de tu casa. ¡Explora nuestra selección de profesores de idiomas con experiencia e inscríbete ya en tu primera clase!