down mood

USAGE SUMMARY

"down mood" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiom meaning "a feeling of sadness or depression." For example, "I had been in a down mood all day, so I decided to take a short walk to clear my head."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

If I do come to work in a little bit of a down mood, it doesn't last because they're so positive.

Cornell University

When I get in a down mood, I'll listen to a cut from the Rolling Stones over and over again, and I'll come out of it.

The New Yorker

Christian White, on the other hand, prefers intense colors and broad brushwork for beach scenes, which, although equally spontaneous, play down mood in favor of visual impact.

The New York Times

And after seven hours of such soundings, you can be forgiven for thinking of Afghanistan as something Samuel Beckett, in a really down mood, might have come up with.

The New York Times

Ben Brantley, in a positive review of the production last month for The New York Times, said that after watching the seven-hour cycle, audience members "can be forgiven for thinking of Afghanistan as something Samuel Beckett, in a really down mood, might have come up with".

The New York Times

The ratings for the two-hour premiere of season two of "Dallas," the revival of the fabled soap on the TNT cable channel, are not going to do much to relieve the down mood left after the death of the show's central star, Larry Hagman.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

It's the emotional epicentre of the album: a vertiginous high from which the only way is down, mood-wise.

The Guardian - Music

Those albums bore traces of cabaret, girl-group pop, college a cappella groups — a whole host of future karaoke repertory — and were built around Ms. Bareilles's good cheer, which buoys her even in down moods.

The New York Times - Arts

"Throughout my 20s I had moderately extended periods of a more or less good mood and moderately extended periods of more or less down moods that became increasingly distinct from one another," she says.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Keats's continued use of opium is, Roe claimed, "apparent from his up and down moods, and the increasing turmoil of his relationship with Fanny Brawne in 1820, a phase of his life that resembles Coleridge's opiated anguish over his unrequited passion for Wordsworth's sister-in-law, Sara Hutchinson, in the years 1802 to 1804".

The Guardian - Books

Being a bit up and down mood-wise means I don't really suit a nine-to-five job.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a temporary emotional state, "down mood" can be effectively used to convey a sense of sadness or mild depression. Consider using it to express a transient feeling rather than a chronic condition.

Common error

While "down mood" suggests a negative emotional state, be careful not to use it when describing severe depression or clinical conditions. It's best suited for describing temporary feelings of sadness or discouragement. For more serious situations, use more precise terms or consult a professional.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "down mood" functions as a descriptive term, typically used as an adjective modifying a noun. It describes the emotional state of a person or situation. The Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it's a grammatically correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "down mood" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a temporary state of sadness or low spirits. It is classified as an adjective phrase + noun. While not extremely common, it's used across various contexts, including news, academia, and science. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and usability. When employing this phrase, it's important to consider the context and avoid exaggerating the severity of the emotional state being described. Alternatives such as "low spirits" or "sad feeling" can be used depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

despondent mood

Emphasizes a sense of hopelessness and discouragement.

low spirits

Replaces "mood" with a synonym for emotional state and "down" with a synonym for low.

gloomy state

Uses "gloomy" as a direct replacement for "down", emphasizing darkness and negativity.

depressed state

Substitutes "down" with a more clinical adjective suggesting a deeper negative feeling.

blue feeling

Uses the adjective "blue" as a substitute for "down".

sad feeling

Uses a more basic term for emotional distress.

negative emotional state

Provides a more clinical and general description of the negative feeling.

unhappy disposition

Replaces "mood" with a more formal term for overall emotional tendency.

melancholy frame of mind

Employs a more literary and evocative expression for sadness.

pessimistic outlook

Focuses on the cognitive aspect of a negative emotional state.

FAQs

How can I use "down mood" in a sentence?

You can use "down mood" to describe a temporary state of sadness or low spirits. For example, "After the disappointing news, I was in a "down mood" all day".

What are some alternatives to saying "down mood"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "low spirits", "sad feeling", or "unhappy".

Is it appropriate to use "down mood" in formal writing?

While "down mood" is generally acceptable, it might be more suitable for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider using more precise or clinical terms like "depressed state" or "melancholy".

What's the difference between "down mood" and "depression"?

"Down mood" describes a temporary feeling of sadness or low spirits, while "depression" refers to a persistent and more severe mental health condition. If symptoms persist or worsen, it's important to seek professional help.