doldrums

doldrums Definition

dol·drums (dōl′drəmz, däl′-)

plural noun

1. low spirits; dull, gloomy, listless feeling
2. sluggishness or complete inactivity; stagnation
1. equatorial ocean regions noted for dead calms and light fluctuating breezes
2. such calms and breezes, located between the belts of the NE and SE trade winds

Etymology: < ? ME dul (see dull), after tantrum

doldrums Usage Examples

Preposition: of

life: It's in this unlikely place, the doldrums of life, that Arab Strap was born.

Converse of object

hit: Again the club hit the doldrums in the seventies with little in the way of success coming their way.
beat: One of the worldâs leading fluid power companies focuses its R&D to increase market share and beat recessionary doldrums.

Preposition: for

Adjective modifier

economic: It has the potential to boost prosperity and lift Europe out of the economic doldrums.
domestic: That means the average person spends 16 days a year or eight hours a week in the domestic doldrums.
creative: Maybe that'll help jar me out of my creative doldrums.
financial: Mark slightly in the financial doldrums, with the result that half of the album is without a backing band.

Noun used with modifier

summer: Good news from Haynes Publishing and Marchpole Even while the stock market remains stuck in the summer doldrums some shares produce good news.
winter: Coming out to everyone Makes the winter doldrums fun.
career: Those facing the possibility of redundancy or mid life career doldrums will gain in equal measures too.

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