down-at-the-heels

or down-at-the-heel

[ doun-uh t-th uh-heelz or doun-uh t-th uh-heel ]

/ ˈdaʊn ət ðəˈhilz or ˈdaʊn ət ðəˈhil /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR down-at-the-heels ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

of a shabby, run-down appearance; seedy: He is rapidly becoming a down-at-heel drifter and a drunk.

Also down-at-heel, down-at-heels.

Origin of down-at-the-heels

First recorded in 1695–1705

Words nearby down-at-the-heels

down under, down with, down's syndrome, down-and-dirty, down-and-out, down-at-the-heels, down-ballot, down-bow, down-easter, down-home, down-low

Definition for down-at-heel (2 of 2)

heel ¹

[ heel ]

/ hil /

noun

the back part of the human foot, below and behind the ankle.

an analogous part in other vertebrates.

either hind foot or hoof of some animals, as the horse.

the foot as a whole: He was hung by the heels.

the part of a stocking, shoe, or the like covering the back part of the wearer's foot.

a solid, raised base or support of leather, wood, rubber, etc., attached to the sole of a shoe or boot under the back part of the foot.

heels, high-heeled shoes.

something resembling the back part of the human foot in position, shape, etc.: a heel of bread.

the rear of the palm, adjacent to the wrist.

the latter or concluding part of anything: the heel of a session.

the lower end of any of various more or less vertical objects, as rafters, spars, or the sternposts of vessels.

Nautical.

the after end of a keel.
the inner end of a bowsprit or jib boom.

the crook in the head of a golf club.

Building Trades. the exterior angle of an angle iron.

Railroads. the end of a frog farthest from a switch.

Horticulture. the base of any part, as of a cutting or tuber, that is removed from a plant for use in the propagation of that plant.

verb (used with object)

to follow at the heels of; chase closely.

to furnish with heels, as shoes.

to perform (a dance) with the heels.

Golf. to strike (the ball) with the heel of the club.

to arm (a gamecock) with spurs.

verb (used without object)

(of a dog) to follow at one's heels on command.

to use the heels, as in dancing.

Verb Phrases

heel in, to cover temporarily (the roots and most of the stem of a plant) with soil prior to permanent planting.

Origin of heel

before 850; Middle English; Old English hēl(a); cognate with Dutch hiel, Old Norse hǣll. See hock¹

OTHER WORDS FROM heel

heel·less, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH heel

heal heel he'll

Example sentences from the Web for down-at-heel

A pair of down-at-heel slippers—dear to the country printer—completed his negligee.

From Sand Hill to Pine |Bret Harte
Unlike the warehouses, however, which were rickety and down-at-heel, Mr. Wicker's home was well cared for.

Mr. Wicker's Window |Carley Dawson
What a tousled-haired, down-at-heel, out-at-elbows Clerkenwell exile!

Nights in London |Thomas Burke
Most of these haciendas, at any rate those deep in the country, have a very shabby and down-at-heel appearance.

The American Egypt |Channing Arnold

Seedy and down-at-heel, they lounge about the cafés and hotels frequented by English travellers.

The Sign of Silence |William Le Queux

British Dictionary definitions for down-at-heel (1 of 2)

heel ¹

/ (hiːl) /

noun

the back part of the human foot from the instep to the lower part of the ankle Compare calcaneus

the corresponding part in other vertebrates

the part of a shoe, stocking, etc, designed to fit the heel

the outer part of a shoe underneath the heel

the part of the palm of a glove nearest the wrist

the lower, end, or back section of something the heel of a loaf

horticulture the small part of the parent plant that remains attached to a young shoot cut for propagation and that ensures more successful rooting

nautical

the bottom of a mast
the after end of a ship's keel

the back part of a golf club head where it bends to join the shaft

rugby possession of the ball as obtained from a scrum (esp in the phrase get the heel)

slang a contemptible person

at one's heels or on one's heels just behind or following closely

dig one's heels in See dig in (def. 5)

down at heel

shabby or worn
slovenly or careless

kick one's heels or cool one's heels to wait or be kept waiting

rock back on one's heels to astonish or be astonished

show a clean pair of heels to run off

take to one's heels to run off

to heel disciplined or under control, as a dog walking by a person's heel

verb

(tr) to repair or replace the heel of (shoes, boots, etc)

to perform (a dance) with the heels

(tr) golf to strike (the ball) with the heel of the club

rugby to kick (the ball) backwards using the sole and heel of the boot

to follow at the heels of (a person)

(tr) to arm (a gamecock) with spurs

(tr) NZ (of a cattle dog) to drive (cattle) by biting their heels

Derived forms of heel

heelless, adjective

Word Origin for heel

Old English hēla; related to Old Norse hǣll, Old Frisian hêl

British Dictionary definitions for down-at-heel (2 of 2)

heel ²

/ (hiːl) /

verb

(of a vessel) to lean over; list

noun

inclined position from the vertical the boat is at ten degrees of heel

Word Origin for heel

Old English hieldan; related to Old Norse hallr inclined, Old High German helden to bow

Medical definitions for down-at-heel

heel

[ hēl ]

n.

The rounded posterior portion of the foot under and behind the ankle.

A similar anatomical part, such as the rounded base of the palm.

Idioms and Phrases with down-at-heel

heel

see Achilles' heel; at someone's heels; bring to heel; cool one's heels; dig in (one's heels); drag one's feet (heels); head over heels; kick up one's heels; on the heels of; out at the elbows (heels); set back on one's heels; show one's heels; take to one's heels; to heel; turn on one's heel.

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

down-at-the-heels

or down-at-the-heel

adjective

Origin of down-at-the-heels

Words nearby down-at-the-heels

Definition for down-at-heel (2 of 2)

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Verb Phrases

Origin of heel

OTHER WORDS FROM heel

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH heel

Example sentences from the Web for down-at-heel

British Dictionary definitions for down-at-heel (1 of 2)

noun

verb

Derived forms of heel

Word Origin for heel

British Dictionary definitions for down-at-heel (2 of 2)

verb

noun

Word Origin for heel

Medical definitions for down-at-heel

n.

Idioms and Phrases with down-at-heel

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

down-at-the-heels

or down-at-the-heel

adjective

Origin of down-at-the-heels

Words nearby down-at-the-heels

Definition for down-at-heel (2 of 2)

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Verb Phrases

Origin of heel

OTHER WORDS FROM heel

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH heel

Words related to down-at-heel

Example sentences from the Web for down-at-heel

British Dictionary definitions for down-at-heel (1 of 2)

noun

verb

Derived forms of heel

Word Origin for heel

British Dictionary definitions for down-at-heel (2 of 2)

verb

noun

Word Origin for heel

Medical definitions for down-at-heel

n.

Idioms and Phrases with down-at-heel