got me down

USAGE SUMMARY

"got me down" is a correctly used and acceptable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe feeling sad or discouraged. For example, "I've had such a bad week and it's really got me down."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

You never got me down".

The New York Times

That got me down".

The Guardian - Sport

It got me down a little bit".

The New York Times - Sports

"That got me down for a long, long time".

The New Yorker

From "The Untouchables" "Never got me down, Ray.

The New York Times

I've got me down to a tea like.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

That gets me down".

Independent

"What gets me down, gets me started," Mr. Murphy said.

The New York Times

No, it's the snickering that gets me down".

The New York Times - Books

"Nothing gets me down except potholes," Mr. Menino confides.

The New York Times

How soon can they get me down?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "got me down" to express a temporary state of sadness or discouragement caused by a specific event or situation. It's suitable for informal and neutral contexts.

Common error

While "got me down" is acceptable in many situations, avoid using it in formal writing or professional communications. Opt for more formal alternatives like "affected me negatively" or "caused me disappointment" in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "got me down" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating that someone or something has caused a feeling of sadness, discouragement, or depression. As Ludwig suggests, this phrase is commonly used to describe a temporary state of lowered spirits.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Huffington Post

8%

The New Yorker

3%

Less common in

Independent

2%

The Guardian

2%

Los Angeles Times

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "got me down" is a common idiomatic expression used to describe feeling sad or discouraged. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and acceptable in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While its register leans towards neutral to informal, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives in academic or professional settings. Related phrases like "made me sad" or "brought me down" can offer nuanced variations of this emotional state. Remember to use it appropriately to convey temporary sadness caused by specific events, and avoid overusing it in formal communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brought me down

Uses similar phrasing to convey a lowering of spirits.

saddened me

A direct and simple expression of causing sadness.

made me sad

Focuses specifically on the emotion of sadness as a result of something.

depressed me

Indicates a stronger, more prolonged feeling of sadness.

disheartened me

Implies a loss of hope or enthusiasm.

weighed on me

Suggests a burdening or oppressive feeling.

bummed me out

An informal way to express disappointment or sadness.

took its toll on me

Emphasizes the cumulative negative impact of something.

affected me negatively

A more formal way of saying something had an adverse impact on one's mood.

cast a shadow on me

Suggests a pervasive sense of gloom or negativity.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "got me down"?

When something "got me down", it means that it made you feel sad, discouraged, or depressed. It implies a temporary lowering of your spirits due to a specific event or situation.

What can I say instead of "got me down"?

You can use alternatives like "made me sad", "brought me down", or "depressed me" depending on the context and intensity of the feeling.

Is it appropriate to use "got me down" in formal writing?

While widely understood, "got me down" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, it's better to use more professional alternatives such as "affected me negatively" or "caused me disappointment".

How do I use "got me down" in a sentence?

You can use "got me down" to describe how a particular event or situation made you feel. For example, "The news about the project cancellation really got me down".