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(down) in the dumps
01
very sad and hopeless
What is the origin of the idiom "in the dumps" and when to use it?
The origin of the phrase "in the dumps" is uncertain, but it is believed to have originated in the mid-19th century. It is commonly employed in informal conversations and everyday language to express one's own feelings or to empathize with others experiencing sadness or disappointment. This phrase can be used when discussing personal struggles, such as after a breakup, during a period of grief, or when feeling overwhelmed by life's challenges.
Example
After failing the exam, she was feeling down in the dumps and needed some time to recover.
She has been in the dumps lately due to the loss of her pet.
He had been unemployed for months, which left him down in the dumps and questioning his self-worth.
She couldn't shake off the feeling of loneliness and found herself constantly down in the dumps.
The rainy weather and recent disappointments had put him in a state of being down in the dumps.
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