down-at-heel

down-at-heel

Having a worn out, shabby, or cheap appearance, as due to poverty or overuse. A lot of so-called hipsters try to affect a down-at-heel look, a sort of "shabby-chic" appearance out of second-hand clothing. John has been looking increasingly down-at-heel ever since he lost his job last year. Judging by the down-at-heel office space they're renting, I doubt the company is doing well.

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

down-at-heel

BRITISH or

down-at-the-heels

AMERICAN

COMMON A down-at-heel person or place looks untidy or in bad condition. He had two rooms above a down-at-heel shop. When I was a down-at-the-heels detective, I couldn't afford to eat here. Note: The image here is of a person wearing shoes with worn-down heels because they do not have the money to repair or replace them.

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

down at heel

1 (of a shoe) with the heel worn down. 2 (of a person, place, or thing) with a poor, shabby appearance.

See also: down, heel

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

ˌdown at ˈheel

(of somebody’s appearance) looking poor: Since he lost his job, he has begun to look rather down at heel.

This idiom refers to the worn heels of old shoes.

See also: down, heel

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017