down at heel
Worn and poor
Down at heel describes someone or something shabby, worn, or showing signs of poverty and neglect.
The phrase comes from shoes worn down at the back—a visible sign that someone can't afford repairs or replacements.
It applies to people a down-at-heel drifter, neighborhoods the down-at-heel side of town, or anything looking rundown and past its prime.
Worn until transparent
- tatteredRipped and worn out
- frayedUnraveled at edges
- raggedWorn to shreds
- worn-outDepleted through overuse
scruffy · shabby · seedy · dingy · tatty · mangy · moth-eaten · patched
Utterly without means
- impoverishedExtremely lacking in money
- pennilessCompletely without money
- indigentExtremely poor, lacking necessities
- brokeLacking any funds
needy · penurious · impecunious · pauperized · poverty-stricken · hard-up · strapped · moneyless
Untidy in appearance
- scruffyMessily neglected in appearance
- untidyLacking neatness or order
- slovenlyUntidy and careless
- bedraggledWet, dirty, untidy
unwashed · grubby · grimy · unshaven · uncombed · messy · sloppy
Ruined through neglect
- rundownQuick overview of facts
- decrepitWorn by age
- ramshackleBadly deteriorated from neglect
- crumblingBreaking down gradually
derelict · battered · tumbledown · neglected · decayed · deteriorated · falling apart · rickety
threadbare
Worn until transparent
worn-out · scruffy · shabby · seedy · dingy · tatty · mangy · moth-eaten · patched · faded
destitute
Utterly without means
- impoverishedExtremely lacking in money
- pennilessCompletely without money
- indigentExtremely poor, lacking necessities
broke · needy · penurious · impecunious · pauperized · poverty-stricken · hard-up · strapped · moneyless · hand-to-mouth
disheveled
Untidy in appearance
bedraggled · unwashed · grubby · grimy · unshaven · uncombed · messy · sloppy
dilapidated
Ruined through neglect
- rundownQuick overview of facts
- decrepitWorn by age
- ramshackleBadly deteriorated from neglect
crumbling · derelict · battered · tumbledown · neglected · decayed · deteriorated · falling apart · rickety · ruined
down at heelprosperous
Enjoying wealth and success
wealthy · affluent · well-off · well-to-do · rich
down at heelwell-groomed
Neat and tidy
polished · well-turned-out · smart · dapper · spruce
down at heelrespectable
Worthy of regard
distinguished · refined · genteel · high-class · classy