down at heel
The idiom "down at heel" originates from the image of worn-out heels on shoes, symbolizing neglect or poverty.
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Definition
B2Personal Appearance
(informal)Looking shabby or worn out, often due to financial hardship.
Example
- Since losing his job, he has looked increasingly down at heel.
B2Condition of Places or Objects
(informal)In a state of disrepair or neglect, often due to overuse or lack of maintenance.
Example
- The old bookstore looked down at heel and in need of renovation.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "down at heel":
out at the heelsdown and outworse for wearon one's last legsrun downhard upkick one's heelson the bumout on one's feeton the back footto heelworn out