“Be down and out” is an idiomatic expression that describes a state of extreme poverty, destitution, or despair. It refers to a situation where someone is in a position of complete financial or emotional ruin, often due to a series of unfortunate events or circumstances. When someone is down and out, they may have lost everything, including their financial stability, hope, or social support.
Clarification and Examples:
- After losing his job, going through a divorce, and facing health issues, Mark found himself down and out, struggling to make ends meet and feeling utterly defeated.
- The homeless man on the street had been down and out for years, living on the streets with no permanent shelter or means of support.
- The once successful business owner had fallen on hard times and was now down and out, unable to revive their business or regain their former status.
- The novel portrays the protagonist’s journey from being wealthy and powerful to being down and out, highlighting the challenges and resilience required to rebuild their life.
- Mary’s gambling addiction led her to be down and out, as she lost all her savings, alienated her loved ones, and felt completely hopeless.
- The recent economic recession left many families down and out, struggling to put food on the table and facing the threat of eviction.
- Alex’s dream of becoming an actor faded as he faced constant rejection and financial struggles, ultimately leaving him down and out in the pursuit of his passion.
- The war veteran, traumatized and unable to find employment, was down and out, living in a state of despair and isolation.
- The community rallied together to support the family who had fallen down and out after their house burned down, providing them with food, shelter, and clothing.
- The musician’s career took a downward spiral, leaving him down and out as he struggled to find gigs and earn a living from his talent.
Synonyms:
- Destitute, impoverished, penniless, broke, in dire straits, poverty-stricken, bankrupt, in a state of despair, in ruins, in a state of hopelessness
Antonyms:
- Prosperous, affluent, well-off, financially secure, thriving, successful, content, fulfilled
Related words:
- Poverty, desperation, destitution, ruin, despair, adversity, hopelessness, indigence, misfortune, hardship
Phrasal Verbs:
- Be down and out (the original phrase)
- Hit rock bottom
- Fall on hard times
- Go under
- Be in dire straits
Idioms:
- On the skids
- Flat broke
- Hit the skids
- Be at the end of one’s rope
- Be at rock bottom
Conclusion: This article provides a comprehensive explanation of the idiomatic expression “be down and out,” which signifies a state of extreme poverty, destitution, or despair. It offers ten sentences that illustrate different scenarios where individuals find themselves in a down-and-out situation. The article also presents synonyms, antonyms, related words, phrasal verbs, and idioms associated with the concept of being down and out. This comprehensive information helps readers understand the expression’s meaning, usage, and various contextual nuances.
