down and out

Register · Neutral Neutral — appropriate in most situations, both spoken and written, without sounding too casual or too stiff. CEFR B2

Post

Example

“After the factory closed, he was down and out for months before finding steady work.”

Dictionary details

Component words

down out

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

down at heel Neutral · CEFR C1

shabby, worn, or neglected in appearance, often because of poverty

down round Neutral · CEFR C1

a funding round in which a company raises money at a lower valuation than the previous round

double down Neutral · CEFR B2

to increase your commitment to a position or strategy, especially after mixed results

down in the dumps Neutral · CEFR B2

feeling sad, discouraged, or low in spirits

in a tight spot Informal · CEFR B1

in a difficult or dangerous situation

feel the pinch Neutral · CEFR B2

experience financial pressure because money has become scarce

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

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