Sometimes, the hardest part of feeling low is finding the words to describe it. When you’re carrying a silent burden, simple phrases just don’t capture the weight of what’s happening inside.
This article will introduce you to a powerful set of Idioms for Depression, unique phrases that can help you articulate the heaviness, the exhaustion, and the sadness that words often fail to convey. It’s time to give voice to your inner world and find a way to share what’s been unspoken.
Best Idioms for Depression
1. Down in the Dumps
Meaning: Feeling sad or depressed, like being stuck in a low place.
In a Sentence:
She’s been down in the dumps since the bad news.
He felt down in the dumps, unable to shake the gloom.
Other Ways to Say: Feeling blue, Low spirits, In a funk
2. Under a Dark Cloud
Meaning: Experiencing persistent sadness or misfortune, like a shadow overhead.
In a Sentence:
She’s been under a dark cloud all week.
He felt under a dark cloud, weighed down by sorrow.
Other Ways to Say: In a gloom, Shadowed mood, Heavy heart
3. Feeling Blue
Meaning: Experiencing sadness or melancholy, like a blue mood.
In a Sentence:
She’s feeling blue after the tough day.
He’s been feeling blue, missing his old life.
Other Ways to Say: Downhearted, Sad, Melancholy
4. In the Doldrums
Meaning: In a state of low energy or depression, like a stagnant sea.
In a Sentence:
He’s been in the doldrums since losing his job.
She’s stuck in the doldrums, lacking motivation.
Other Ways to Say: Low ebb, Slump, Stagnant mood
5. Heavy Heart
Meaning: Carrying deep sadness or emotional burden.
In a Sentence:
She carried a heavy heart after the loss.
His heavy heart made the day feel endless.
Other Ways to Say: Burdened soul, Sad heart, Weighted emotions
6. Down in the Mouth
Meaning: Visibly sad or dejected, like a drooping expression.
In a Sentence:
He’s down in the mouth after the argument.
She looked down in the mouth, feeling low.
Other Ways to Say: Dejected, Gloomy, Sad-faced
7. Sinking Feeling
Meaning: A sense of dread or sadness, like sinking into despair.
In a Sentence:
She had a sinking feeling about the news.
His sinking feeling grew as the day dragged on.
Other Ways to Say: Sense of doom, Heavy dread, Falling spirits
8. In a Funk
Meaning: Experiencing a prolonged state of depression or low mood.
In a Sentence:
She’s been in a funk, unable to find joy.
He’s in a funk, struggling with daily tasks.
Other Ways to Say: Down mood, Blue spell, Emotional slump
9. Heart in Your Boots
Meaning: Feeling deeply discouraged or depressed, like your heart has sunk.
In a Sentence:
Her heart was in her boots after the rejection.
He felt his heart in his boots, overwhelmed by sadness.
Other Ways to Say: Deeply down, Crushed spirit, Low heart
10. Cloud Over Your Head
Meaning: A persistent feeling of gloom or depression follows you.
In a Sentence:
She’s got a cloud over her head this month.
His cloud over his head made everything feel heavy.
Other Ways to Say: Dark shadow, Gloomy aura, Persistent sadness
11. In the Depths of Despair
Meaning: Experiencing extreme sadness or hopelessness.
In a Sentence:
She was in the depths of despair after the loss.
He sank into the depths of despair, feeling hopeless.
Other Ways to Say: Utter hopelessness, Deep gloom, Extreme sadness
12. Low Spirits
Meaning: A state of sadness or lack of enthusiasm.
In a Sentence:
Her low spirits made the party feel dull.
He’s been in low spirits since the bad news.
Other Ways to Say: Down mood, Dejected, Lackluster
13. Under the Weather
Meaning: Feeling unwell or emotionally low, like during gloomy weather.
In a Sentence:
She’s under the weather, battling a sad mood.
He felt under the weather, unable to focus.
Other Ways to Say: Feeling off, Not well, Downhearted
14. Black Dog on Your Shoulder
Meaning: A metaphor for persistent depression, like a heavy burden.
In a Sentence:
She’s got a black dog on her shoulder lately.
The black dog on his shoulder weighed him down.
Other Ways to Say: Persistent gloom, Heavy depression, Dark mood
15. Walking Through a Fog
Meaning: Feeling mentally unclear or emotionally numb, like in a haze.
In a Sentence:
She’s walking through a fog, lost in sadness.
He felt like he was walking through a fog of despair.
Other Ways to Say: Mental haze, Emotional blur, Cloudy mind
Related Post: 50 Idioms for Sadness That Touch the Heart
16. Heart of Stone
Meaning: Feeling emotionally numb or hardened, like a stone.
In a Sentence:
Her heart of stone hid her deep depression.
He felt a heart of stone, unable to feel joy.
Other Ways to Say: Numb emotions, Cold heart, Emotional wall
17. Down at Heel
Meaning: Feeling worn out or depressed, like tattered shoes.
In a Sentence:
She’s down at heel, struggling with low moods.
He looked down at heel, weighed by sadness.
Other Ways to Say: Worn out, Dejected, Run-down
18. In a Rut
Meaning: Stuck in a repetitive, depressing routine or mindset.
In a Sentence:
She’s in a rut, feeling trapped in sadness.
He’s stuck in a rut, battling depression daily.
Other Ways to Say: Trapped, Stagnant, Stuck in a loop
19. Carry the Weight of the World
Meaning: Feeling overwhelmed by burdens, like the world’s troubles.
In a Sentence:
She carries the weight of the world, so sad.
He felt the weight of the world, deeply depressed.
Other Ways to Say: Heavy burden, Overwhelmed, Crushed by worry
20. Drowning in Sorrow
Meaning: Overwhelmed by sadness or grief, like drowning in water.
In a Sentence:
She’s drowning in sorrow after the loss.
He felt like he was drowning in sorrow daily.
Other Ways to Say: Swamped by grief, Overcome with sadness, Submerged in despair
21. A Shadow of Yourself
Meaning: Not your usual self, diminished by depression or sadness.
In a Sentence:
She’s a shadow of herself, lost in depression.
He’s become a shadow of himself, feeling low.
Other Ways to Say: Diminished self, Faded spirit, Not yourself
22. In a Dark Place
Meaning: Experiencing deep emotional or mental distress.
In a Sentence:
She’s in a dark place, battling her thoughts.
He’s been in a dark place since the setback.
Other Ways to Say: Deep gloom, Emotional low, Dark mood
23. Heartache
Meaning: Deep emotional pain or sadness, often from loss or disappointment.
In a Sentence:
Her heartache kept her up at night.
He’s nursing heartache, feeling deeply depressed.
Other Ways to Say: Emotional pain, Deep sorrow, Heartbreak
24. Singing the Blues
Meaning: Expressing sadness or depression, like singing a sad song.
In a Sentence:
She’s singing the blues after the breakup.
He’s been singing the blues, lost in gloom.
Other Ways to Say: Feeling sad, Lamenting, Downhearted
25. Lost in the Wilderness
Meaning: Feeling directionless or emotionally lost, like wandering alone.
In a Sentence:
She felt lost in the wilderness, battling depression.
He’s lost in the wilderness, searching for hope.
Other Ways to Say: Directionless, Adrift, Emotionally lost
26. A Heavy Soul
Meaning: Carrying deep sadness or emotional burden.
In a Sentence:
Her heavy soul made every step feel hard.
He carried a heavy soul, weighed by depression.
Other Ways to Say: Burdened spirit, Sad soul, Weighted heart
27. In the Grips of Despair
Meaning: Overwhelmed by intense hopelessness or sadness.
In a Sentence:
She’s in the grips of despair, unable to cope.
He felt the grips of despair closing in daily.
Other Ways to Say: Trapped in gloom, Overcome by hopelessness, Deep despair
28. Dark Night of the Soul
Meaning: A period of profound spiritual or emotional struggle.
In a Sentence:
She’s enduring a dark night of the soul.
His dark night of the soul left him drained.
Other Ways to Say: Deep crisis, Emotional darkness, Spiritual low
29. Woe’s Me
Meaning: Expressing self-pity or sadness, like lamenting one’s fate.
In a Sentence:
“Woe’s me,” she sighed, feeling depressed.
He muttered, “Woe’s me,” lost in gloom.
Other Ways to Say: Poor me, Feeling sorry, Self-pity
30. Sinking into the Abyss
Meaning: Falling into deep despair or hopelessness.
In a Sentence:
She felt like she was sinking into the abyss.
He’s sinking into the abyss, battling depression.
Other Ways to Say: Falling into despair, Plunging into gloom, Deep dive into sadness
31. Broken Spirit
Meaning: A state of emotional defeat or deep sadness.
In a Sentence:
Her broken spirit made her withdraw from friends.
He’s nursing a broken spirit after the loss.
Other Ways to Say: Crushed soul, Defeated heart, Shattered morale
32. Clouded Mind
Meaning: A mental state of confusion or sadness, like a foggy cloud.
In a Sentence:
Her clouded mind made decisions hard.
He’s got a clouded mind, overwhelmed by depression.
Other Ways to Say: Foggy thoughts, Mental haze, Gloomy mind
33. Weighed Down
Meaning: Feeling burdened or oppressed by emotional weight.
In a Sentence:
She’s weighed down by her constant sadness.
He felt weighed down, unable to shake depression.
Other Ways to Say: Burdened, Heavy-laden, Overwhelmed
34. In a Blue Funk
Meaning: A state of deep sadness or depression.
In a Sentence:
She’s in a blue funk, struggling to smile.
He’s been in a blue funk since the bad news.
Other Ways to Say: Deep gloom, Sad slump, Emotional low
35. Trapped in a Dark Hole
Meaning: Feeling stuck in a deep, inescapable state of depression.
In a Sentence:
She felt trapped in a dark hole, unable to climb out.
He’s trapped in a dark hole of despair.
Other Ways to Say: Stuck in gloom, In a pit, Deep despair
Related Post: 50 Idioms for Weird with Strange Origins
36. Moping Around
Meaning: Moving or acting listlessly due to sadness or depression.
In a Sentence:
She’s been moping around, lost in her thoughts.
He’s moping around the house, feeling depressed.
Other Ways to Say: Sulking, Brooding, Drifting sadly
37. Emotional Quicksand
Meaning: Being pulled deeper into sadness, like sinking in quicksand.
In a Sentence:
She’s stuck in emotional quicksand, sinking daily.
He felt emotional quicksand pulling him down.
Other Ways to Say: Emotional trap, Sinking sadness, Overwhelming gloom
38. A Heavy Mind
Meaning: A mind burdened by sad or depressive thoughts.
In a Sentence:
Her heavy mind made it hard to focus.
He’s carrying a heavy mind, full of sorrow.
Other Ways to Say: Burdened thoughts, Gloomy mind, Weighted thinking
39. Lost in the Dark
Meaning: Feeling confused or hopeless, like wandering in darkness.
In a Sentence:
She’s lost in the dark, battling her depression.
He felt lost in the dark, searching for light.
Other Ways to Say: Adrift in gloom, Hopelessly lost, Emotional darkness
40. Shrouded in Gloom
Meaning: Enveloped in sadness or depression, like a dark shroud.
In a Sentence:
She’s shrouded in gloom, unable to find joy.
His life felt shrouded in gloom this month.
Other Ways to Say: Covered in sadness, Wrapped in despair, Dark mood
41. Bleak Outlook
Meaning: A pessimistic or depressing view of the future.
In a Sentence:
Her bleak outlook made everything feel hopeless.
He’s got a bleak outlook, weighed by depression.
Other Ways to Say: Grim perspective, Hopeless view, Dark forecast
42. Wading Through Mud
Meaning: Struggling through difficulties, like moving through thick mud.
In a Sentence:
She’s wading through mud, battling her depression.
He felt like he was wading through mud daily.
Other Ways to Say: Struggling along, Mired in difficulty, Slowed by gloom
43. A Fading Light
Meaning: Losing hope or joy, like a dimming light.
In a Sentence:
Her spirit felt like a fading light, so sad.
He’s a fading light, struggling with depression.
Other Ways to Say: Dimming hope, Waning spirit, Fading joy
44. Emotional Winter
Meaning: A cold, barren period of sadness or depression.
In a Sentence:
She’s in an emotional winter, feeling isolated.
His emotional winter made the days feel long.
Other Ways to Say: Cold emotions, Barren mood, Wintry heart
45. Down a Dark Path
Meaning: Heading toward or stuck in a depressing state.
In a Sentence:
She’s going down a dark path, battling sadness.
He felt down a dark path, lost in despair.
Other Ways to Say: Gloomy journey, Sad trajectory, Dark road
46. Heart in a Cage
Meaning: Feeling trapped or confined by sadness or depression.
In a Sentence:
Her heart’s in a cage, locked by depression.
He feels his heart in a cage, unable to break free.
Other Ways to Say: Trapped emotions, Caged spirit, Confined heart
47. Living in a Fog
Meaning: Existing in a state of mental or emotional confusion.
In a Sentence:
She’s living in a fog, clouded by depression.
He’s been living in a fog, struggling to think.
Other Ways to Say: Mental haze, Emotional blur, Cloudy existence
48. A Sinking Ship
Meaning: A situation or person spiraling into despair, like a doomed ship.
In a Sentence:
Her mood felt like a sinking ship, hopeless.
He’s on a sinking ship, battling depression.
Other Ways to Say: Falling apart, Going under, Emotional collapse
49. Carrying a Storm Inside
Meaning: Holding intense emotional turmoil or depression within.
In a Sentence:
She’s carrying a storm inside, full of sadness.
He carries a storm inside, weighed by despair.
Other Ways to Say: Inner turmoil, Emotional storm, Buried chaos
50. Lost in a Sea of Sorrow
Meaning: Overwhelmed by deep sadness, like drowning in a vast sea.
In a Sentence:
She’s lost in a sea of sorrow, feeling hopeless.
He felt lost in a sea of sorrow, unable to cope.
Other Ways to Say: Drowning in grief, Swamped by sadness, Overwhelmed by woe
Exercise to Practice – Idioms for Depression
- After his dog passed away, he was _________________________ for weeks, not wanting to talk to anyone.
- I just found out I didn’t get the job, and I have this terrible _________________________ in my stomach.
- She’s had a really rough year; it seems like she’s been _________________________ since January.
- He’s a _________________________ of his former self, a shadow of the person he used to be before his illness.
- All he does is sit on the couch and watch TV. He’s really _________________________.
- The constant demands at work and home made her feel like she was _________________________.
- He has been _________________________ since the breakup.
- I try to be optimistic, but with all the bad news lately, I can’t help but feel like I am _________________________.
- He _________________________ and couldn’t find the energy to get out of bed in the morning.
- The constant struggle with her mental health made her feel like her spirit was a _________________________.
Answer Key
- down in the dumps
- sinking feeling
- under a dark cloud
- shadow
- in a rut
- carrying the weight of the world
- down in the mouth
- lost in a sea of sorrow
- in the doldrums
- fading light
Conclusion
The words you’ve just learned can help lift the heaviest of burdens. The Idioms for Depression you’ve mastered are your secret to articulating deep, complex feelings in a way that feels real and understood. These phrases are more than just words; they are a light you can use to find hope and connect with others. It’s time to give voice to your emotions and know that you are not alone.
Danny Weber is a language enthusiast and freelance writer with a passion for unpacking the beauty of idioms and metaphors. Through years of research and creative exploration, Danny helps readers understand the deeper meanings behind familiar phrases—making figurative language feel accessible, engaging, and alive. Whether he’s decoding classic sayings or crafting new twists on old expressions, Danny’s work invites you to see language with fresh eyes.
