From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishit’s a shame/what a shame etcit’s a shame/what a shame etcspokenPITY/IT'S A PITY used when you wish a situation was different, and you feel sad or disappointed ‘She’s failed her test again.’ ‘What a shame!’ It’s a shame that you have to leave so soon. What a shame we missed the wedding. It's a shame about the weather.it is a shame to do something It’s a shame to cover this beautiful table with a tablecloth. I can’t imagine why they canceled your show, Tracy. That’s such a shame.a crying/great/terrible shame It was a crying shame that they lost the game.RegisterIn written English, people usually say something is unfortunate rather than a shame:It’s unfortunate that these warnings were not taken seriously. → shame
Examples from the Corpus
What a shame• Perhaps that was why they were determined to attack now without further delay? What a shame it all is, even so!• You can't do it. What a shame.• Jauja! What a shame you've never been there.• Now this. What a shame. 