How do you use "Down in the Dumps" in a sentence?

He's been down in the dumps since his team lost. Don't be so down in the dumps—things will improve. She was down in the dumps after the breakup. The whole office was down in the dumps after the layoffs.

Down in the Dumps

Q: What does "Down in the Dumps" mean?

Feeling sad, depressed, or melancholy Being 'down in the dumps' describes a low emotional state—feeling blue, dejected, or melancholy. The 'dumps' are a metaphorical low place where unhappy feelings reside. It's usually temporary sadness rather than clinical depression.

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Casual

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Meaning: Feeling sad, depressed, or melancholy

情绪低落；闷闷不乐

Deprimido; desanimado; de bajón

落ち込んでいる；ふさぎ込んでいる

우울한, 기분이 가라앉은

Being 'down in the dumps' describes a low emotional state—feeling blue, dejected, or melancholy. The 'dumps' are a metaphorical low place where unhappy feelings reside. It's usually temporary sadness rather than clinical depression.

'down in the dumps'描述一种情绪低落的状态——感到忧郁、沮丧或伤感。'dumps'是一个比喻性的低处，不快乐的情绪就住在那里。通常指暂时的悲伤而非临床抑郁症。

Estar 'down in the dumps' describe un estado emocional bajo: sentirse triste, abatido o melancólico. Los 'dumps' son un lugar bajo metafórico donde residen los sentimientos infelices. Normalmente es tristeza temporal más que depresión clínica.

「down in the dumps」は感情が低い状態を表す——憂鬱、意気消沈、または物悲しい気分。「dumps」は不幸な感情が住む比喩的な低い場所。通常は臨床的なうつ病ではなく一時的な悲しみを指す。

이 표현은 감정적으로 저조한 상태를 묘사합니다. 엄청난 슬픔은 아니지만 떨쳐내기 힘든 지속적인 우울함입니다. Down in the dumps는 낮은 곳에 빠져 슬픔을 벗어나지 못하는 상태를 암시합니다. 보통 일시적이며, 작은 좌절이나 전반적인 무기력감과 관련됩니다.

Literal meaning: Being in a low, dirty place emotionally

Examples

He's been down in the dumps since his team lost.
自从他的球队输了之后他一直闷闷不乐
Está de bajón desde que perdió su equipo
チームが負けてから彼はずっと落ち込んでいる
고양이가 죽고 나서 그녀는 계속 우울해하고 있다.
Don't be so down in the dumps—things will improve.
别那么沮丧——情况会好起来的
No estés tan deprimido, las cosas mejorarán
そんなに落ち込まないで——状況は良くなるよ
이유는 모르겠는데 일주일 내내 기분이 가라앉아 있었어.
She was down in the dumps after the breakup.
分手后她一直很消沉
Estaba desanimada después de la ruptura
別れた後、彼女は落ち込んでいた
시험에 떨어진 후 그는 풀이 죽어 있었다.
The whole office was down in the dumps after the layoffs.
裁员后整个办公室都士气低落
Toda la oficina estaba de bajón después de los despidos
解雇の後、オフィス全体が意気消沈していた
계속 우울해하지 마—나가서 기분 좀 풀자!

Pronunciation

/daʊn ɪn ðə dʌmps/

Usage Guide

Context: sadness, disappointment, sympathy

Tone: sympathetic, descriptive

✓ Do Say

I'm a bit down in the dumps.
我有点郁闷
Estoy un poco alicaído
ちょっと落ち込んでいる
기분이 안 좋아 보여.
He's been down in the dumps lately.
他最近情绪低落
Ha estado alicaído últimamente
彼は最近元気がない
요즘 기분이 좀 가라앉았어.
She seems down in the dumps.
她看起来情绪不高
Parece alicaída
彼女は落ち込んでいるようだ
그녀가 좀 우울해하고 있어.

✗ Don't Say

Light-hearted way to describe sadness
描述悲伤的轻松说法
Forma ligera de describir tristeza
悲しみを表す軽い言い方
심각한 우울증에 사용하면 가볍게 들릴 수 있습니다
Not for serious clinical depression
不适用于严重的临床抑郁症
No para depresión clínica seria
深刻な臨床的うつ病には使わない
가벼운 일시적인 슬픔에 더 적합합니다

Common Mistakes

It's 'in THE dumps' not 'in DUMPS'
Describes mood, not location

Origin & History

The phrase dates back to at least the 16th century, when 'dump' or 'dumps' meant a fit of melancholy or depression. The origin of this sense of 'dumps' is unclear—it may relate to Dutch 'dompig' (hazy, damp) or be connected to the idea of being dumped in a low place.

Etymology: From 16th century 'dumps' meaning a melancholic state, origin uncertain

First recorded: 16th century, 'dumps' meaning melancholy

Cultural Context

Era: 16th century onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Common everyday expression; Various songs use the phrase

Regional notes: Universal across English-speaking countries.

Variations

Down in the dumpsIn the dumps