a trough of despair

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a trough of despair" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of deep sadness or hopelessness, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "After losing his job, he found himself in a trough of despair, struggling to see a way forward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I was in a trough of despair".

The New York Times - Tech

A peak of joy would be followed by a trough of despair, he said, sketching this national disaster in the air with a long finger.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Ricky" is quick to fall into a trough of judgmental despair.

The Guardian - Books

She writes poignantly that "this trough of despair shall not, I swear, engulf me".

The Guardian - Books

But if you lift your head from the trough of despair, there's another picture of this country today.

The Guardian

Both feature Prince Andrew, a trough of gold, and pig's ear.

The Guardian

But maybe we were just in a trough of normal travel vicissitudes.

Huffington Post

A trough of low pressure near Bermuda initially inhibited strengthening.

Wikipedia

Quizzes, we know from our pubs and our holiday camps and our grey drizzly days on the last day of school at the end of an autumn term, are friendly affairs, a battle of wits: winners experiencing only tiny spikes of joy; losers only shallow troughs of despair.

Vice

But there are troughs of despair.

The Guardian - Books

There's a wavelike emotional geography in building any boat: crests of pride and elation, followed by troughs of despair.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "a trough of despair" to vividly describe a period of significant emotional downturn or hopelessness, often following a period of success or high emotion. It implies a temporary state from which recovery is possible.

Common error

Avoid using "a trough of despair" in everyday conversations or situations that are only mildly disappointing. Its strong imagery is best reserved for genuinely significant emotional lows.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a trough of despair" functions as a metaphorical noun phrase. It describes a state of deep sadness or hopelessness as if it were a physical depression, like a trough between waves. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a trough of despair" is a metaphorical expression used to describe a period of significant emotional low or hopelessness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in writing. While not extremely common, it effectively conveys a vivid image of emotional downturn, often following a peak. It is found most often in journalistic contexts, originating in news and media publications like The New York Times and The Guardian. Alternative phrases include "a pit of despair" or "a valley of despair".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a pit of despair

Replaces "trough" with "pit", suggesting a deeper, more confined state of hopelessness.

a valley of despair

Substitutes "trough" with "valley", implying a broader, more extended period of sadness.

a state of hopelessness

Replaces the metaphorical "trough" with a more literal description of the emotional condition.

a depth of sadness

Emphasizes the profound sorrow experienced.

a period of despondency

Focuses on the duration and nature of the negative feelings.

a dark night of the soul

This is a more poetic and intense expression of a period of spiritual or emotional crisis.

a low point in life

A more general term for a difficult or sad time.

a bout of melancholy

Suggests a period of pensive sadness.

a spell of gloom

Implies a temporary period of darkness or negativity.

a mire of desolation

Uses "mire" to suggest being stuck in feelings of sadness and isolation.

FAQs

How can I use "a trough of despair" in a sentence?

You can use "a trough of despair" to describe a low point or period of hopelessness, as in "After the project failed, he fell into "a trough of despair"." This implies a temporary state of deep sadness.

What can I say instead of "a trough of despair"?

Alternatives to "a trough of despair" include "a pit of despair", "a valley of despair", or "a state of hopelessness", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "trough of despair" a common phrase?

While grammatically sound and recognized, "a trough of despair" isn't extremely common. It's more frequently found in literary or reflective writing than in everyday conversation.

What's the difference between "a trough of despair" and "a state of despair"?

"A trough of despair" implies a temporary dip or low point, suggesting a wave-like emotional experience. "A state of despair", on the other hand, suggests a more prolonged or constant condition of hopelessness.