doldrums

be in the doldrums

1. if a business, an economy or a person's job is in the doldrums, it is not very successful and nothing new is happening in it. High-street spending remains in the doldrums and retailers do not expect an imminent recovery.

2. to feel sad and to lack the energy to do anything. He's been in the doldrums these past couple of weeks and nothing I do seems to cheer him up.

out of the doldrums

be in the doldrums - if a business, an economy or a person's job is in the doldrums, it is not very successful and nothing new is happening in it. A cut in interest rates will be needed to lift the property market out of the doldrums.

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in the doldrums

1. lacking activity or progress. When the economy is in the doldrums, every business feels the effects.

2. feeling sad and lacking the energy to do anything. He's been in the doldrums since his girlfriend left for college.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of the doldrums (= the part of the world's seas near the equator where there is little wind, making it difficult to sail)