ENGLISH
REFERENCE

down at heel

idiom
Meaning

Shabbily dressed, slovenly; impoverished; shabby, dilapidated.


Examples
SIMPLE

His old shoes look quite down at heel.

CONTEXTUAL

After losing his job, he looked rather down at heel in his worn-out coat and scuffed boots.

COMPLEX

The once-grand estate had become noticeably down at heel, with peeling paint and overgrown gardens reflecting the family's declining fortune.

Anchors to
Related idioms2entries
  1. 01

    bring to heel

    To compel someone to obey; to force someone into a submissive condition.

  2. 02

    turn on one's heel

    To suddenly turn away from someone or something in order to depart rapidly, especially as expressive of haughtiness, disapproval, or evasiveness.

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