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down in the mouth
/dˌaʊn ɪnðə mˈaʊθ/
/dˌaʊn ɪnðə mˈaʊθ/
down in the mouth
[PHRASE]1
feeling sad, unhappy, or discouraged
What is the origin of the idiom "down in the mouth" and when to use it?
The phrase "down in the mouth" originated in the late 18th or early 19th century, describing someone who appears sad or dejected based on the physical expression of a drooping mouth. It can be used to describe someone feeling low after a setback, someone expressing their dissatisfaction or frustration, or someone who is generally feeling downcast.
Examples
1. Rob has been down in the mouth ever since Gloria broke up with him.
2. Molly's been moping around all week, and I have no idea why she's so down in the mouth.
3. At the very end of a shuttle mission, everybody's a little down in the mouth and depressed because they're having to return.
4. If he's down in the mouth about spending yet another boring day in high school, Max could say, "I feel depressed."
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