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What does it mean to be in the dumps?

Author

Emma Newman

Published Mar 19, 2026

What does it mean to be in the dumps?

phrase [verb-link PHRASE] If you are down in the dumps, you are feeling very depressed and miserable. [informal] She's feeling a bit down in the dumps and needs cheering up. Synonyms: down, low, blue, sad More Synonyms of down in the dumps.

Simply so, what does Dont be in the dump mean?

Discouraged, depressed, or sad, as in She's been down in the dumps ever since she lost the match, or What's wrong with him?

Subsequently, question is, what kind of phrase is down in the dumps? If you are down in the dumps, you are feeling very depressed and miserable. She's feeling a bit down in the dumps and needs cheering up.

Beside above, how do you use down in the dumps?

Example Sentences

  1. As the things were not going well for her at work, she was feeling a bit down in the dumps.
  2. Little Jon is down in the dumps because all her friends are gone away with their parents.
  3. She's a bit down in the dumps because she's got to take her exams again.

Where did the phrase down in the dumps come from?

DOWN IN THE DUMPS - "Someone down in the dumps may momentarily feel ready to be hauled off to the garbage dump, but the 'dumps' in the expression derives from the Dutch 'domp,' 'mental haze or dullness,' or from the German 'dumpf,' 'close, heavy, oppressive, gloomy.

Are you down in the dumps?

If you are down in the dumps, you are feeling very depressed and miserable. She's feeling a bit down in the dumps and needs cheering up.

What full of yourself means?

phrase [VERB inflects] If you say to someone 'you're full of yourself', you disapprove of them because they appear very pleased with themselves, thinking that they are very clever, special, or important. [disapproval] He's full of himself, sharp and aggressive and sometimes he comes over badly.

What zany means?

zany • AY-nee • noun. 1 : a subordinate clown or acrobat in old comedies who mimics ludicrously the tricks of the principal 2 : one who acts the buffoon to amuse others 3 : a foolish, eccentric, or crazy person. Examples: My brother's friends are an unpredictable bunch of zanies. "

What is tickled pink?

informal. : very happy or amused I was tickled pink to see her.

What is the meaning of first come first serve?

—used to say that the people who arrive earliest get served or treated before the people who arrive later The campsites are first come, first served, so we'd better get there early. The campsites are assigned on a first-come-first-serve basis.

What does the idiom Time Flies mean?

—used to say that time passes quickly Your son is in high school already? My, how time flies!

What does I often feel blue mean?

Be depressed or sad, as in I was really feeling blue after she told me she was leaving. The use of blue to mean “sad” dates from the late 1300s.

What does having a down on someone mean?

have a down on ?Definitions and Synonyms

phrase?British?informal. DEFINITIONS1. to dislike or not approve of someone or something. Synonyms and related words. To hate or dislike someone or something.

What is the idiom of in hot water?

to be in or get into a difficult situation in which you are in danger of being criticized or punished: He found himself in hot water over his comments about immigration.

What does the idiom I'm all ears mean?

Eager to hear something, listening attentively, as in Tell me who else was invited? I'm all ears.

Is under the weather an idiom?

Under the weather is an idiom which describes feeling ill, being a little unwell, hung over from drinking alcohol. The phrase appears in the mid-1800s, and even though travel by ship has waned, the idiom under the weather is still a popular term.

What is the meaning of I am under the weather?

When I feel tired, worn out or just a little sick, I can say I am feeling under the weather. When you are under the weather, your condition is not serious. You do not need to be in a hospital or see a doctor. Some word experts say that “under the weather” also can mean feeling drunk or having a hangover.

What does have a whale of time mean?

informal. : a great time We had a whale of a time at the party.

Was down in the mouth meaning?

informal. to be sad. Feeling sad and unhappy.

What is the meaning of caused bad blood?

feelings of hate between people because of arguments in the past: There has been bad blood between the two families for years. Synonyms.

What does foot in the door mean?

Definition of get one's foot in the door

: to make the first step toward a goal by gaining entry into an organization, a career, etc. He took a job as a secretary to get his foot in the door.

What does end of tether mean?

Definition of the end of one's tether

chiefly British, informal. : a state in which one is not able to deal with a problem, difficult situation, etc., any longer I've been dealing with their lies for too long. I'm at the end of my tether.

What does get the ball rolling means?

informal. : to begin an activity or process At the meeting, she tried to get the ball rolling by asking a few questions.

What's mean hit the sack?

(also hit the hay) infml to go to bed in order to sleep: I've got a busy day tomorrow, so I think I'll hit the sack.

What does to know the ropes mean?

phrase. If you know the ropes, you know how a particular job or task should be done. [informal] The moment she got to know the ropes, there was no stopping her. Synonyms: be experienced, know the score [informal], be knowledgeable, know what's what More Synonyms of to know the ropes.

What does the idiom kept a stiff upper lip mean?

: a steady and determined attitude or manner in the face of trouble.

What does cry one's heart out mean?

cry one's heart out

and sing one's heart out; play one's heart out; sob one's heart out. Fig. to do something with vigor or intensity. She suffered such grief—alone and sobbing her heart out. The bird sang its little heart out each morning.

What does dropping like flies mean?

informal. : to become ill or die over a short period of time and in large numbers Horses and cattle dropped like flies during the drought. The heat was so intense that people were dropping like flies. —often used figuratively Candidates were dropping like flies during the early part of the campaign.

Can talk others into doing things?

to overcome someone's objections to doing something; to convince someone to do something. They talked me into going to the meeting, even though I didn't really have the time. No one can talk me into doing something illegal.

What does I'm on cloud nine mean?

: a feeling of well-being or elation —usually used with on still on cloud nine weeks after winning the championship. Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More About cloud nine.

Do pigs fly meaning?

US, informal. —used to say that one thinks that something will never happen The train station will be renovated when pigs fly.

What does the idiom to add fuel to the fire mean?

Worsen an already bad situation, as by increasing anger, hostility, or passion, as in Bill was upset, and your making fun of his mishap just added fuel to the fire.

What does the idiom bull in a china shop mean?

: a person who breaks things or who often makes mistakes or causes damage in situations that require careful thinking or behavior.