mulligrubs
Definition
- Noun (plural in form but used as a singular or plural noun):
- A state of despondency or low spirits: "mulligrubs" refers to a feeling of sadness, gloom, or melancholy.
- A colicky pain in the abdomen: Informally, "mulligrubs" can also denote a stomachache or intestinal discomfort.
Usage Examples
- (He has been feeling very sad and depressed.)
- (The child had a stomachache from overeating sweets.)
Advanced Usage
- "to have the mulligrubs": to be in a state of low spirits or physical discomfort.
- She had the mulligrubs and refused to join the party. (She was feeling too gloomy or unwell to attend.)
Variants and Related Words
- Mulligrub (n, rare): a singular form sometimes used to mean a person who is grumpy or sad.
- He’s a bit of a mulligrub today. (He is acting morose or irritable.)
Synonyms
- The blues: a feeling of sadness or depression.
- Melancholy: a deep, persistent sadness.
- Collywobbles: an informal term for a stomachache or nervous discomfort.
Related Idioms
In a funk: in a state of depression or low spirits.
- She’s been in a funk since the news. (She has been feeling down.)
Down in the dumps: feeling sad or discouraged.
- He’s down in the dumps about his exam results. (He is depressed.)
Notes on Usage
- "Mulligrubs" is an old-fashioned or dialectal term, rarely used in modern formal English. It is most often encountered in humorous or colloquial contexts.
- The word is always used in the plural form, but it can take a singular verb (e.g., "The mulligrubs is upon him") or a plural verb (e.g., "The mulligrubs have taken hold").