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Down at heel

What's the meaning of the phrase 'Down at heel'?

Impoverished.

What's the origin of the phrase 'Down at heel'?

The wearing of shoes with worn down heels is a mark of destitution. The phrase is first recorded in Edition 10 of William Darrell’s A gentleman instructed in the conduct of a virtuous and happy life, 1732:

“Sneak into a corner … down at heels and out at elbows.”

The history of “Down at heel” in printed materials

Trend of down at heel in printed material over time

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Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

Gary Martin

Writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.
Down at heel

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