Down at heel Meaning in English
expression
ˈdaʊn/ /ˈæt/ /ˈhiɫ
DOWN-at-HEEL
dˈaʊn/ /ˈæt/ /hˈiːl
DOWN-at-HEEL
Definition
Looking poor, shabby, or in bad physical condition, often because of lack of money or care.
Usage & Nuances
Mainly British English; describes people, shoes, or places that look uncared for. Slightly formal or old-fashioned; not rude but can sound critical. Common in literature and journalism.
Spanish: desgastado - andrajosoPortuguese (BR): desleixado - malcuidadoPortuguese (PT): desleixado - maltratadoChinese (Simplified): 衣衫褴褛的 - 邋遢的Chinese (Traditional): 衣衫襤褸的 - 邋遢的Hindi: झुग्गी जैसा - जर्जरArabic: مهترئ - رثُّ الهيئةBengali: শabby - ভাঙা-চোরা চেহারার - জরাজীর্ণRussian: потрёпанный - обветшалый - бедно выглядящийJapanese: みすぼらしい - みっともないVietnamese: xơ xác - tồi tàn - xuống cấpKorean: 초라한 - 낡은 느낌의Turkish: pejmürde - bakımsız - eskimişUrdu: خستہ حال - بوسیدہIndonesian: kumal - lusuh - tampak usang
Example Sentences
His shoes were down at heel after years of use.
basic
The house looked old and down at heel.
basic
He always wore down at heel clothes to school.
basic
After losing his job, he started looking a bit down at heel.
natural
The hotel used to be fancy, but now it feels kind of down at heel.
natural
You can spot a down at heel café on every corner in the old city.
natural