Down in the dumps

Neil Hello, I’m Neil… but where is Feifei?

Feifei … sorry I’m late! Is it time for The English We Speak?

Neil It is Feifei - but catch your breath and have a seat. Are you ok? You look a bit of a… mess!

Feifei Me? A mess! You would be a mess if you had been where I have been.

Neil OK calm down… and what’s that smell?

Feifei So you think I smell now! I’ve been to the rubbish dump!

Neil The rubbish dump?! Why did you go there?

Feifei Because I was looking for Rob earlier and someone said he was down in the dumps.

Neil Feifei, that is the last place you will find someone who is down in the dumps. It’s just a saying that describes someone who is unhappy, fed up and sometimes feels there is no hope.

Feifei Oh I get it! Being depressed or unhappy is a miserable feeling - a bit like being at a rubbish dump, actually.

Neil Exactly. Let’s hear some examples…

Examples Don’t be so down in the dumps, you’re going on holiday tomorrow!

Oh it’s Monday again, no wonder I feel so down in the dumps.

Reshma has been so down in the dumps since her boyfriend left her.

Feifei So that’s being ‘down in the dumps’ - feeling unhappy and miserable. So I’ve had a wasted trip - but I wonder why Rob is ‘down in the dumps’?

Neil It could be because his football team lost… again.

Feifei No, he’s used to that happening. It must be something more serious than that.

Neil
I know - he’s feeling sad because he’s not presenting this wonderful programme with you - it’s such a great script isn’t it!

Feifei There’s only one place for this script Neil - down in the dump!

Neil
Ha ha, very funny!

Both Bye.