Skip to main content

Difference between In a dump and In the dumps

in a dump—(sl., in the phrase “live in a dump”) live in a poor, dirty or ugly place:

  • “How can you live in a dump like this?” he asked her. “Don’t you ever clean this place?”

in the dumps—(coll., also: down in the dumps)

1. in low spirits; very depressed:

  • One of my still single girlfriends was in the dumps about not having a boyfriend.

2. (of a market, economy, etc.) deteriorate or decline:

  • He told Goldman that he knew his career was in the dumps and offered him a position.