down in the mouth
down in the mouth (idiom)
/daʊn ɪn ðə maʊθ/
Meanings
- Feeling sad, unhappy, or low in spirits.
- Looking dejected or sullen, often shown by a downturned mouth.
- Mildly disappointed or gloomy.
Synonyms: sad; unhappy; dejected; glum; downcast; blue; miserable; sullen.
Example Sentences
- After losing his job, John looked down in the mouth for several days.
- She seemed down in the mouth, staring quietly at her cold cup of tea.
- He was a bit down in the mouth when his vacation plans got cancelled.
- Michael looked down at the mouth after hearing that his promotion had been given to someone else. (variant)
Origin and History
The idiom “down in the mouth” originated as a literal description of sadness expressed through one’s facial features — when the corners of the mouth turn downward. Over time, this natural expression of unhappiness evolved into a metaphorical phrase meaning “dejected” or “in low spirits.” The link between physical appearance and emotional state made the phrase memorable and expressive, allowing it to endure in English for centuries.
Earliest Recorded Usage
The earliest verifiable printed record of “down in the mouth” appears in a 1649 London publication written by Joseph Hall. The text reads:
“The Roman Orator was downe in the mouth; finding himselfe thus cheated by the mony-changer.”
This quotation shows the phrase already functioning in a figurative sense, describing disappointment or dismay rather than a literal posture of the mouth. The year 1649 is the first confirmed appearance in print, marking the beginning of its traceable history in the English language.
Possible Earlier Origins
Some linguistic researchers and phrase historians have suggested that the expression may have appeared earlier, possibly around 1608 in Joseph Hall’s Epistles. However, no securely dated printed copy with that version has been verified. Therefore, the 1649 publication remains the earliest confirmed evidence. The phrase likely circulated in spoken English before it reached print, which was common for idioms of that era.
Country of Origin
All existing historical evidence places the origin of “down in the mouth” in England. The earliest example came from an English author and was printed in London, indicating that the idiom first emerged in British English before spreading to other English-speaking regions. Its imagery reflects the expressive, body-based metaphors common in seventeenth-century English speech.
Development and Variants
Through the late seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the expression maintained popularity in English literature and speech. Variants such as “down at the mouth” and “down-at-mouth” appeared in subsequent centuries, preserving the same figurative meaning. By the nineteenth century, the idiom had become firmly embedded in everyday English, used both in literary writing and common conversation to describe anyone appearing or feeling disheartened.
Variants
- down at the mouth
- down in (or at) the mouth
- down in the dumps (closely related expression)
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