The idiom in the gutter is often used to describe thoughts, conversations, or behavior that are vulgar, inappropriate, or focused on indecent or sexual topics. It originates from the idea of something being literally in the gutter—dirty, undesirable, or low. When someone’s mind or humor is said to be in the gutter, it means they interpret or view situations in an indecent or suggestive manner. It can also imply a low moral or social standing, as well as poor taste in communication.
Example Sentences Using In the Gutter:
- Stop joking around; your mind is always in the gutter.
- He couldn’t help but turn the conversation in the gutter with his inappropriate comments.
- Whenever she hears an innocent remark, her thoughts immediately go in the gutter.
- The comedian’s humor was so in the gutter that half the audience walked out.
- His coworkers teased him for always having his mind in the gutter.
- The conversation went in the gutter when someone brought up that scandal.
- That movie’s humor stays firmly in the gutter from start to finish.
- Her jokes are clever, but they sometimes veer in the gutter.
- Don’t take it personally—his thoughts are naturally in the gutter.
- I made a harmless comment, and they twisted it until it was completely in the gutter.
Synonyms for In the Gutter:
- Vulgar
- Indecent
- Obscene
- Risqué
- Crude
- Salacious
- Lewd
- Dirty-minded
- Suggestive
- Lowbrow
Antonyms for In the Gutter:
- Innocent
- Clean
- Wholesome
- Pure
- Decent
- Appropriate
- Family-friendly
- Respectable
- Highbrow
- Upright
Related Words:
- Inappropriate
- Offensive
- Tasteless
- Immoral
- Unrefined
- Scandalous
- X-rated
- Smutty
Phrasal Verbs:
- Dumb down (e.g., They dumbed down the content until it was practically in the gutter.)
- Turn to (e.g., The conversation quickly turned to in the gutter humor.)
- Sink to (e.g., Don’t sink to in the gutter jokes to get a laugh.)
Idiomatic Expressions:
- “Have a dirty mind”
- “Go low” (when conversation or behavior takes an inappropriate turn)
- “Scraping the bottom of the barrel” (referring to low-quality or indecent humor)
- “Down and dirty” (when discussions or jokes focus on vulgarity)
- “Taking the low road”
Let me know if you need further details or more examples!