Down but not out Meaning in English
expression
ˈdaʊn/ /ˈbət/ /ˈnɑt/ /ˈaʊt
DOWN but NAHT OUT
dˈaʊn/ /bˈʌt/ /nˈɒt/ /ˈaʊt
DOWN but NOT OUT
Definition
Describes someone who has faced difficulties or setbacks but has not given up or been completely defeated.
Usage & Nuances
This is an idiomatic, informal phrase, often used to motivate or encourage. Common in sports, business, or personal struggles, it means someone is hurt or losing, but still has hope or fight left. Usually refers to resilience.
Spanish: derrotado pero no vencidoPortuguese (BR): abatido mas não vencidoPortuguese (PT): em baixo mas não derrotadoChinese (Simplified): 受挫但未被击倒Chinese (Traditional): 受挫但未被擊倒Hindi: गिर गए लेकिन हारे नहींArabic: ساقِط لكن لم يُهزَمBengali: পড়ে গেছি কিন্তু হার মানিনি - দুর্বল হলেও হাল ছাড়িনিRussian: сбит с ног, но не сломлен - упал, но не проигралJapanese: 打ちのめされてもまだ諦めていない - 立ち直る力があるVietnamese: gục nhưng chưa gục ngã - thất bại nhưng chưa chịu thuaKorean: 쓰러졌지만 포기하지 않다 - 힘들지만 아직 희망이 있다Turkish: yıkılmış ama pes etmemiş - düşmüş ama vazgeçmemişUrdu: گر گیا ہوں مگر ہارا نہیں - کمزور ہوں لیکن ہمت نہیں ہاریIndonesian: terpuruk tapi belum kalah - jatuh tapi belum menyerah
Example Sentences
Even though he lost the match, he is down but not out.
basic
Our team is down but not out after the first half.
basic
She failed the test, but she is down but not out.
basic
I may be down but not out—I'll try again tomorrow.
natural
You can knock me down, but I'm down but not out!
natural
After so many setbacks, he’s still down but not out—that’s true spirit.
natural