Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Feeling sad, unhappy, or dejected: The phrase describes a state of low spirits, melancholy, or discouragement. It often implies a visible expression of sadness, such as a downturned mouth or a gloomy demeanor.

Usage

• The phrase "down in the mouth" is an idiomatic expression used to describe someone's emotional state. It is typically used as a predicate adjective after linking verbs like , , , or .
• It is informal and conversational in tone.

Examples

• Adjective:

Advanced Usage

• The idiom can sometimes be shortened in very informal contexts to simply "down," though this is less specific.

Variants and Related Words

• Downcast (adj): feeling sad and without hope.
• Downhearted (adj): discouraged; in low spirits.
• Blue (adj): (informal) feeling sad or depressed.

Synonyms

• Dejected: sad and depressed; dispirited.
• Despondent: in low spirits from loss of hope or courage.
• Gloomy: feeling distressed or pessimistic.
• Melancholy: a feeling of pensive sadness.

Related Idioms

• Have a long face: to look sad.
• Feel blue: to feel sad or depressed.

Adjective

1. filled with melancholy and despondency
   • gloomy at the thought of what he had to face
   • gloomy predictions
   • a gloomy silence
   • took a grim view of the economy
   • the darkening mood
   • lonely and blue in a strange city
   • depressed by the loss of his job
   • a dispirited and resigned expression on her face
   • downcast after his defeat
   • feeling discouraged and downhearted