dumps
/dʌmps/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun (plural) 1. A state of low spirits or mild depression: An informal term describing a temporary feeling of sadness, gloom, or despondency. It is almost always used in the phrase "in the dumps."
Usage
- The word "dumps" is exclusively used in its plural form in this sense.
- It is almost always part of the fixed idiom "to be in the dumps" or "to feel in the dumps."
- It describes a general, often temporary, low mood rather than a clinical condition.
Examples
- "She's been in the dumps ever since her team lost the championship."
- "I don't know why, but I woke up feeling in the dumps today."
- "A good walk in the sunshine might help you get out of the dumps."
Advanced Usage
- "Down in the dumps": A common variant of the main idiom, adding emphasis.
- Example: "He's been really down in the dumps since his pet passed away."
Variants and Related Words
- Dump (noun): A completely different and primary meaning referring to a site for depositing waste.
- Example: "The city built a new landfill dump."
- Dump (verb): To deposit or discard something, or to end a relationship abruptly.
- Example (discard): "Please dump the trash in the bin."
- Example (relationship): "He dumped his girlfriend via text message."
Synonyms
- The blues: A feeling of sadness or depression.
- The mopes: A state of listlessness and low spirits.
- Gloom: Partial or total darkness; a state of depression or despondency.
- Melancholy: A feeling of pensive sadness, typically with no obvious cause.
Idioms Related
- "(Down) in the dumps": The core idiom, meaning to feel sad or depressed.
- Example: "Try listening to some upbeat music when you're down in the dumps."
Noun
- an informal expression for a mildly depressed state
- in the dumps
- have the mopes