down in the mouth

comparative more down in the mouth · superlative most down in the mouth

1. idiomaticSad or discouraged, especially as indicated by one's facial appearance.

   "He was down in the mouth and low on self-confidence," says his mother, Nina Engel.

   2006 October 26, Howard Kurtz, “In Iraq, Journalist Richard Engel Sticks to the Story”, in Washington Post, retrieved 03 Nov 2008

   2 more examples

   "Is the old 'un here?" asked the robber. "Yes," replied the voice, "and precious down in the mouth he has been."

   1839, Charles Dickens, chapter 16, in Oliver Twist

   Said Chrysler's tough, dynamic boss, K. T. Keller: "Don't get down in the mouth about business in this country. There is going to be a lot of money spent here."

   1940 July 15, “Wait Awhile”, in Time

   Synonyms: dejected, disheartened, dispirited, atrabiliary, atrabilious, blitheless, dispirited, blue