slump
/slʌmp/ (bre, ipa) · /slʌmp/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsləmp/ (ame, mw)
slump — verb
- slumppresent simple I / you / we / they
- slumpshe / she / it
- slumpedpast simple
- slumping-ing form
1. If prices, sales, or economic values slump, they fall suddenly by a large amount
If prices, sales, or economic values slump, they fall suddenly by a large amount, often after a period of being steady or high.
Global oil prices slumped by nearly 30% in the first three months of the year.
slump + by + percentage
The company's shares slumped to an all-time low after the scandal broke.
slump + to + level
Demand for new housing slumped when interest rates went up.
Exports slumped dramatically during the trade dispute.
- plummet
stronger and more dramatic than slump; suggests a very steep, rapid fall
- drop sharply
less dramatic than slump; a neutral way to describe a steep fall
- decline
slower, more gradual; no connotation of suddenness
文法句型
slump + by [amount]
slump + to [level]
用法筆記
Often used with a prepositional phrase beginning with 'by' (to indicate the amount of the fall) or 'to' (to indicate the new lower level). Subject is typically a market figure: prices, sales, profits, demand, or shares.
常見錯誤
2. To fall, sit, or lie down heavily and suddenly, especially because you feel very
To fall, sit, or lie down heavily and suddenly, especially because you feel very tired, weak, or upset.
Exhausted after the twelve-hour shift, Mei-Lin slumped onto the sofa and closed her eyes.
slump + onto + object (showing collapse onto surface)
When Omar heard the terrible news, he slumped against the wall and slid to the floor.
The old man's head slumped forward onto his chest as he fell asleep in his armchair.
The injured runner reached the finish line and then slumped to the ground immediately.
- straighten up
to make your body upright again
- sit up
to move into an upright sitting position
文法句型
slump + into/onto/over/down
用法筆記
Almost always followed by an adverb or prepositional phrase showing direction or location (into, onto, over, against, forward, to the ground). Without this phrase the verb feels incomplete.
常見錯誤
slump — noun
- slumpsingular
- slumpsplural
1. A sudden and large drop in the price, sales, or estimated worth of something, us
A sudden and large drop in the price, sales, or estimated worth of something, usually compared against an earlier higher level.
The housing market experienced a sharp slump after the central bank raised interest rates.
a sharp slump in [market/sector]
Car manufacturers reported a 20% slump in sales compared to last year.
The company blamed the profit slump on higher production costs and lower consumer confidence.
文法句型
a slump in [something]
a [adjective] slump
用法筆記
Commonly used in financial news and business reports. Often modified by adjectives like 'sharp', 'serious', 'dramatic', or 'massive'.
2. A period, lasting months or years, during which an economy or a major industry i
A period, lasting months or years, during which an economy or a major industry is doing very badly, with falling production, high unemployment, and low consumer spending.
The country's manufacturing sector has been in a deep slump since the factory closures began.
be in a + [adjective] slump
During the economic slump of the early 1990s, many young professionals struggled to find work.
The construction industry emerged from its three-year slump thanks to new government infrastructure projects.
Small businesses were hit hardest by the prolonged economic slump.
Demand for new office space has fallen into a serious slump as remote work becomes more common.
- recession
a technical term in economics; less severe than a depression, but more formal than slump
- depression
much more severe and longer-lasting than a slump
- downturn
milder and more neutral; can be shorter than a slump
文法句型
in a slump
a [adjective] slump
用法筆記
Stronger and more general than noun sense 1 (FALL IN VALUE OR SALES). This sense refers to an extended period of poor economic conditions, not just a single drop in a figure. Often used with 'economic' or the name of a specific industry.
常見錯誤
3. A short period when you feel very tired, have little energy, and find it difficu
A short period when you feel very tired, have little energy, and find it difficult to concentrate or work effectively.
Many office workers experience an afternoon slump around 3 p.m. and reach for coffee or a snack.
afternoon slump (common collocation for post-lunch tiredness)
To avoid the mid-morning slump, Yuna started eating a protein-rich breakfast instead of sugary cereal.
The doctor told Kwame that his energy slump could be caused by a lack of iron in his diet.
A short walk outside can help you get through the 2 p.m. slump without reaching for another coffee.
- energy boost
a sudden increase in energy, opposite of an energy slump
- burst of energy
a short, intense period of high energy
文法句型
a [adjective] slump
[time of day] slump
用法筆記
Most commonly used in the phrase 'afternoon slump' to describe the natural drop in energy many people feel after lunch. Can also be used with times of day: 'mid-morning slump', 'late-afternoon slump'.
4. A period during which a sports player or team performs much worse than usual, lo
A period during which a sports player or team performs much worse than usual, losing games or failing to meet their usual standards.
The basketball team snapped their five-game losing slump with a decisive victory over the defending champions.
snap / break a slump (end it)
The young tennis star was in a terrible slump, losing seven of her last eight matches.
After working with a new coach, the golfer finally came out of his two-year slump and won a tournament.
The team's mid-season slump cost them a place in the playoffs.
- losing streak
more specific; refers only to a series of losses, not just poor performance
- bad patch
informal British English; milder than slump
- dry spell
used especially when a player is not scoring or winning for a period
- winning streak
a series of consecutive wins, opposite of a slump for a team
- hot streak
a period of excellent performance
文法句型
in a slump
a [number]-game slump
用法筆記
In sports journalism, 'slump' is very common. Common verb collocations for ending a slump: 'snap', 'break', 'shake', 'come out of'. Duration adjectives: 'two-game', 'season-long', 'career-worst'.
5. A way of holding your body, especially with your shoulders and head drooping for
A way of holding your body, especially with your shoulders and head drooping forward and downward, that makes you look tired, sad, or lacking energy.
Teenagers often develop a slump from spending hours hunched over their phones and laptops.
"Nobody picked me for their team," said Sofia, her shoulders dropping in a sad slump.
shoulders dropping in a slump (body-language expression)
The physiotherapist told Amara that her shoulder slump was caused by weak back muscles.
Standing up straight instead of sitting in a slump can immediately improve your breathing and confidence.
- straight posture
upright, aligned body position
- upright position
sitting or standing with a straight back
文法句型
a slump of the [body part]
用法筆記
This sense describes a physical posture, not a change in financial or performance measures. It is often used in the phrase 'a slump of the shoulders' to describe a gesture showing sadness, defeat, or exhaustion.
6. A traditional American dessert, especially common in New England, made by cookin
A traditional American dessert, especially common in New England, made by cooking sweetened fruit (such as berries or peaches) in a pan and dropping pieces of biscuit dough on top to cook in the fruit juices, usually served warm.
Grandma's blueberry slump was always the most popular dessert at the family reunion.
Unlike a pie, slump is prepared on the stove top rather than inside an oven, which gives the topping a soft, steamed texture.
regional dessert; stovetop preparation method
The cookbook includes a simple recipe for peach slump that takes less than thirty minutes to prepare.
用法筆記
This is a regional American English term, not widely known outside the United States. Related dishes include 'grunt' (similar but steamed), 'cobbler' (baked), and 'crisp' (with a crunchy topping). The name 'slump' may come from the way the dough 'slumps' or settles into the hot fruit.