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.
The FactSet consensus was that same-store sales would be down 1.4%.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 4, 2026
At around 35 million hectolitres the total harvest would be down two percent on a mediocre 2025 yield and 14 percent below the 2021–2025 average, according to estimates published Wednesday by the ministry of agriculture.
From Barron's ● Oct. 7, 2026
“You can’t market it like, ‘Don’t worry, you can drive,’ when the main avenue to drive might be down to one lane,” says Jill Carnevale, the owner of Ellina.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026
He delivered in a six-pointer because I think Palace are going to be down there, with a goal and an assist.
From BBC ● Sep. 14, 2026
He would be down there with Marlene, both of them surrounded by a large audience of admirers.
From "An Elephant in the Garden" by Michael Morpurgo
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
