Down in the Dumps (11) Crossword Clue Answer
Answer: DISCOURAGED
The crossword clue Down in the dumps (11) has the answer DISCOURAGED. This idiomatic clue uses the popular expression "down in the dumps" to describe someone feeling dejected, dispirited, or lacking confidence, making "discouraged" the perfect eleven-letter solution that captures this emotional state accurately.
Understanding the Down in the Dumps
Down in the dumps serves as an idiomatic expression clue in crossword puzzles. The phrase "down in the dumps" is a well-established idiom meaning to feel sad, dejected, or emotionally low, which directly translates to being discouraged.
This type of figurative language clue relies on solvers' knowledge of common expressions and emotional vocabulary, making it accessible to anyone familiar with everyday English idioms and mood-related terminology.
The enumeration (11) indicates a single eleven-letter word, which immediately points toward "DISCOURAGED" as the most fitting emotional state descriptor.
This letter count helps eliminate shorter mood-related adjectives and guides solvers toward specific psychological terms that precisely match the idiomatic expression's meaning.
Related Crossword Terms and Emotional Variations
Crossword constructors frequently reference similar emotional states using different cluing approaches:
- "Feeling dejected and low" - emphasizing the sadness aspect of discouragement
- "Lost confidence and hope" - highlighting the motivational impact
- "Dispirited by setbacks" - focusing on external causes of discouragement
- "Lacking enthusiasm or drive" - emphasizing the behavioral manifestations
Down in the Dumps (11) - 7 Little Words - FAQs
Q: Why does "down in the dumps" translate to "discouraged"?
A: The idiom "down in the dumps" describes feeling emotionally low and dejected, which perfectly matches the psychological state of being discouraged or lacking confidence.
Q: Are there other eleven-letter answers for this clue?
A: While alternatives like "demoralized" or "disheartened" share similar meanings, "discouraged" most accurately captures the specific emotional state described by the idiom.
Q: How common are idiom-based clues in crosswords?
A: Idiomatic expressions appear regularly in crosswords because they test cultural knowledge while providing clear connections to specific answer words.
Q: What makes this clue appropriate for different skill levels?
A: The clue works across difficulty levels because the idiom is widely known while the psychological terminology requires more sophisticated vocabulary knowledge.
