in the doldrums
Stuck in lethargy
In the doldrums describes a state of stagnation, low spirits, or inactivity.
The phrase comes from a region near the equator where sailing ships could be stranded for weeks without wind.
Now it applies to anything stuck in a slump: The housing market has been in the doldrums for months.
A person in the doldrums feels listless or mildly depressed.
- stagnantWithout movement or progress
- dead calmComplete absence of wind
- listlessLacking energy or enthusiasm
- sluggishSlow and inactive
- becalmedLeft motionless by windlessness
flat · stuck · at a standstill · depressed · down in the dumps · low · low spirits · blue · melancholy · slump · lull · standstill · adrift · windless · horse latitudes · motionless · bored · apathetic
- mood idiomsbad mood, black mood, dark mood, foul mood, in a mood
- Nautical Idiomsbatten down the hatches, all hands on deck, smooth sailing, three sheets to the wind, in the same boat
- sadnesssad, unhappy, grief, sorrowful, heartbroken
in the doldrumson top of the world
Supremely pleased with life
in high spirits · on cloud nine · elated · euphoric · in seventh heaven
in the doldrumsthriving
Succeeding vigorously
booming · flourishing · on the rise · on a roll · in full swing
in the doldrumsfull of life
Energetic and animated
fired up · energized · full of energy · buzzing · vibrant