doldrums
doldrums — noun
1. a situation in which a business, industry, or activity is not growing, succeedin
a situation in which a business, industry, or activity is not growing, succeeding, or making any progress
The local housing market has been in the doldrums for nearly two years now.
be in the doldrums for [time period]
With few tourists visiting, the island economy fell into the doldrums last summer.
Astrid's furniture store survived the doldrums by offering online delivery services.
The publishing industry emerged from the doldrums when e-book sales began to climb.
After the factory closed, the whole town fell into the doldrums for a decade.
- stagnation
focuses on lack of growth or movement
- slump
implies a sharp drop in activity, more dramatic than doldrums
- recession
formal economic term for a prolonged downturn
文法句型
be in the doldrums
the doldrums of [something]
用法筆記
Always used with 'the' — this sense typically appears in the fixed phrase 'in the doldrums' or 'the doldrums of [something]'.
常見錯誤
2. a condition of feeling unhappy, uninterested, and without the energy or desire t
a condition of feeling unhappy, uninterested, and without the energy or desire to take part in everyday activities
After her best friend moved away, Rachel fell into the doldrums for weeks.
fall into the doldrums
A short walk on the beach lifted Gabriel right out of the doldrums.
lift [someone] out of the doldrums
The long winter months always bring on the doldrums for Chidi and his family.
Iris found that painting helped her shake off the doldrums.
Pedro could not explain why the doldrums hit him every Sunday evening.
- depression
stronger and more clinical; doldrums is milder and temporary
- blues
informal, similar in tone to doldrums
- lethargy
focuses on physical tiredness and lack of energy
- cheerfulness
a state of being happy and positive
- enthusiasm
strong excitement and interest in things
文法句型
in the doldrums
lift someone out of the doldrums
suffer from the doldrums
用法筆記
This emotional sense is more personal and temporary than the business/inactivity sense. It often appears with verbs like 'lift', 'shake off', or 'fall into'.
常見錯誤
3. a part of the ocean near the equator where the wind often drops completely, leav
a part of the ocean near the equator where the wind often drops completely, leaving sailing boats unable to move forward for long periods
The crew spent a week trapped in the doldrums, the sails hanging still.
trapped in the doldrums
Amani's grandfather told her stories of being becalmed in the doldrums for weeks.
Crossing the doldrums near the equator tested every captain's patience.
Modern motor ships can cross the doldrums with ease, but sailing vessels feared them.
- horse latitudes
another calm belt at around 30° north and south, distinct from the equatorial doldrums
- trade winds
steady, predictable winds that blow toward the equator, opposite of the calm doldrums zone
文法句型
the doldrums
in the doldrums
the doldrums of [ocean region]
用法筆記
This geographic sense refers to the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), a belt of low pressure around the equator. Historically a hazard for sailing ships.