in the doldrums

Idioms  

1. Depressed; dull and listless. For example, Dean's in the doldrums for most of every winter. This expression alludes to the maritime doldrums, a belt of calms and light winds north of the equator in which sailing ships were often becalmed. [Early 1800s] Also see down in the dumps.

---

Example Sentences

Its economy in the doldrums, the 27-member EU is also pushing to ease exports of spirits and wines and strengthen intellectual property rules.

From Barron's

It's a horror scenario for European economies, which are already in the doldrums.

From BBC

The result: Strong exports helped power China’s economy to expectation-defying growth last year, even as the property market and consumer sentiment in the country remained in the doldrums.

From The Wall Street Journal

"With economic growth also in the doldrums, and showing no sign of improvement in 2026, there will be a huge amount of pressure on the Bank of England to help stimulate some sort of economic activity," she added.

From Barron's

Many of crypto’s biggest players trooped to Abu Dhabi last week, hoping to secure deals with deep-pocketed Emirati investors who could inject fresh vigor into the industry following two months in the doldrums.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• crestfallen
• depressed
• despondent
• disheartened
• glum