Use 'pine away' to express deep, impactful emotion, suggesting a person may be greatly affected. She pined away after her dog went missing, looking thinner and more distraught each day.
Pro Tip 2/3
Health Decline
Pining away can imply physical deterioration linked to emotional distress. Since his wife's death, he's been pining away, neglecting to care for himself.
Pro Tip 3/3
Expressing Grief
'Pine away' is often used in the context of grieving, especially when someone feels overwhelming sorrow. The whole family seemed to pine away during that endless winter of mourning.