Down in the dumps: The English We Speak - YouTube

Neil: Hello, I'm Neil… but where is Feifei?

Feifei:… sorry I'm late! Is it time for The English We Speak?

Neil: It is Feifei – but catch your breath and have a seat. Are you ok? You look a bit of a… mess!

Feifei: Me? A mess! You would be a mess if you had been where I have been.

Neil: OK calm down… and what's that smell?

Feifei: So you think I smell now! I've been to the rubbish dump!

Neil: The rubbish dump?! Why did you go there?

Feifei: Because I was looking for Rob earlier and

someone said he was down in the dumps.

Neil: Feifei, that is the last place you will find someone who is down in the dumps.

It's just a saying that describes someone who is unhappy, fed up and sometimes feels there is no hope.

Feifei: Oh I get it! Being depressed or unhappy is a miserable feeling – a bit like being at a rubbish dump, actually.

Neil: Exactly. Let's hear some examples…

Examples: Don't be so down in the dumps, you're going on holiday tomorrow!

Oh it's Monday again, no wonder I feel so down in the dumps.

Reshma has been so down in the dumps since her boyfriend left her.

Feifei: So that's being 'down in the dumps'

- feeling unhappy and miserable. So I've had a wasted trip – but I wonder why Rob is 'down in the dumps'?

Neil: It could be because his football team lost... again.

Feifei: No, he's used to that happening. It must be something more serious than that.

Neil: I know – he's feeling sad because he's not presenting this wonderful programme with you – it's such a great script isn't it!

Feifei: There's only one place for this script Neil – in the dump!

Neil: Ha ha, very funny! Both: Bye.