drooping shoulders

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "drooping shoulders" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a posture that indicates sadness, defeat, or fatigue. Example: "After hearing the disappointing news, she walked away with drooping shoulders, reflecting her sense of defeat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

His is an insignificant little figure, with drooping shoulders and bulging grey eyes.

The New York Times

The group's spirits sagged at the news – their tiny, drooping shoulders speaking for every American soccer fan who hoped to see him in person for the first time.

The Guardian - Sport

He wore a loose dark jacket with slightly drooping shoulders over an olive T-shirt, khakis and expensive-looking wire-rim glasses.

The New York Times - Style

Pale, with lank hair and drooping shoulders, Julio scarcely appears more energetic when he's awake and seems too unfinished to be the subject of anything, much less a book (or film).

The New York Times

But though there were very occasional sightings of the drooping shoulders and hangdog expression that traditionally signal trouble and fatigue for Sampras, he was generally a net-rushing, serve-pounding pillar of strength last night.

The New York Times - Sports

In the absence of such a turnaround, the role of Atlas – the mythic supporter of the heavens – will fall on the drooping shoulders of François Hollande, the most unlikely of all Titans in the bleakest of all times.

The Telegraph

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Pienaar and his drooping shoulder made their exit and the kicking duties transferred to Jackson, who rapped the post with his first penalty attempt.

The Guardian - Sport

It's a lugubrious, creaky affair, as Williams squishes up his face and droops his shoulders with a coyness that can be downright embarrassing.

The Guardian - Film

Mr Paisley stood by, his now shrunken shoulders drooping.

The Economist

On the deficit side, Mr. Som's lily-print skirts and mink stoles, drooping from the shoulders and belted over sweaters, looked like last season's Prada.

The New York Times

At times when Leicester have the ball with their goalkeeper or the opposition are attacking Mahrez will simply wander around, shoulders drooping, having acquired in the last few months the slightly aloof, lurking menace of the best creative players.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drooping shoulders" to vividly depict a physical manifestation of sadness, fatigue, or defeat in your writing. It's a more evocative alternative to simply stating the character's emotional state.

Common error

Avoid using "drooping shoulders" excessively, especially in overly dramatic scenes. Overuse can make the description feel cliché and weaken the impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drooping shoulders" functions as a descriptive noun phrase, often used to depict a character's emotional state or physical condition. As Ludwig confirms, it is grammatically sound and frequently used. This phrase paints a vivid picture of sadness, fatigue, or defeat.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

The New Yorker

6%

Huffington Post

6%

Less common in

The Guardian

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "drooping shoulders" is a commonly used and grammatically correct descriptive term, as validated by Ludwig. It primarily functions to depict a character's emotional or physical state, often indicating sadness, fatigue, or defeat. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts. When using "drooping shoulders", be mindful of overuse and consider alternative phrases like "slumped shoulders" or "sagging shoulders" for variety. Ludwig’s analysis and usage examples provide further clarity on its effective application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slumped shoulders

Replaces "drooping" with "slumped", focusing on the posture rather than the act of drooping.

sagging shoulders

Uses "sagging" instead of "drooping", highlighting the lack of muscle tone or energy.

stooped posture

Shifts the focus to the overall posture, with "stooped" implying a bending forward.

hunched shoulders

Replaces "drooping" with "hunched", indicating a rounded and forward-leaning position.

downcast shoulders

Combines a directional term with "shoulders" to highlight the physical manifestation of sadness or disappointment.

shoulders slumped forward

Rephrases to emphasize the forward movement and lack of upright posture.

defeated posture

Focuses on the overall impression of defeat conveyed by the posture, rather than the specific position of the shoulders.

despondent stance

Uses "despondent" to emphasize the emotional state reflected in the posture.

dejected bearing

Replaces "shoulders" with a broader term, "bearing", to describe overall manner.

lowered shoulders

Focuses on the act of bringing the shoulders down, emphasizing loss of confidence or energy.

FAQs

How can I use "drooping shoulders" in a sentence?

You can use "drooping shoulders" to describe someone's posture when they are sad, tired, or defeated. For example, "After failing the exam, he walked away with "drooping shoulders"".

What does it mean when someone has "drooping shoulders"?

"Drooping shoulders" often indicate a lack of energy, confidence, or emotional well-being. It's a physical manifestation of sadness, disappointment, or exhaustion.

What can I say instead of "drooping shoulders"?

You can use alternatives like "slumped shoulders", "sagging shoulders", or "hunched shoulders" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "drooping shoulders" and "slumped shoulders"?

While similar, "drooping shoulders" suggests a more gradual loss of posture, while "slumped shoulders" implies a more immediate and pronounced collapse of posture. The choice depends on the specific image you want to create.