be down
Idioms-
Be depressed, in low spirits, as in During the winter months Sue's always down, but spring cheers her up . [ Colloquial ; mid-1800s]
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Be knowledgeable, canny, or sophisticated, as in He was really down with the new group . This usage probably originated among jazz musicians. [ Slang ; mid-1940s]
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Oil stocks and oil prices could be down on headlines,” he said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026
Now with James out, the Lakers will be down four of their five regular starters.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026
It would not be down to him, but he certainly does not regard himself as a coach who operates in the second tier.
From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026
On Friday, Clear’s stock tumbled as much as 12% intraday, before bouncing slightly to be down 10.7% in recent afternoon trading.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 27, 2026
“I’m a shot caller, Trini. You would want to be down with my boys. You and my cousin. Think on it.”
From "The Stars Beneath Our Feet" by David Barclay Moore
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
