down at heel

phrase

variants or down at the heel
: in or into a run-down or shabby condition
His slippers were down at the heel.

Word History

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of down at heel was in 1856

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Cite this Entry

“Down at heel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/down%20at%20heel. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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