slumps away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slumps away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something moving away in a drooping or dejected manner, often conveying a sense of defeat or sadness. Example: "After hearing the disappointing news, she slumps away from the group, her shoulders heavy with despair."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Defeat is clearly not something Nikpai entertains, he ignores post-fight interview requests and slumps away for a somewhat cruelly-timed doping test.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

If you want to see the same bafflement, vented with ten times the subtlety, check out Warren Beatty, in "Bonnie and Clyde," slumping away from Faye Dunaway and murmuring, "I told you I warn't no lover boy".

The New Yorker

And this is what we find: breasts the size of boxing gloves that slump away from the rib cage, plus a crease of flesh along the upper stomach, matched farther down by a kind of long smile where the navel must be concealed.

The New Yorker

Eva, with her legs drawn up, was to Hitler's left and slumped away from him.

Wikipedia

Watching him slump away, sitting in the front of my house, my anger grew.

Huffington Post

He's an injured QB or defense slump away from groveling for a job at Baylor University (as Miles is) after being canned by LSU in a few years, even if he does win a National Championship at Baton Rouge.

Huffington Post

It's not as if the housing slump is going away any time soon.

The New York Times

Whereas Kaplan told stories freely and dispassionately, like a man unburdened, Corso exuded smugness in his reticence, slumping back and away from the microphone after each question.

The New Yorker

Instead, he shrugged, turned away, slumped his shoulders and dropped his head in profound disappointment. .

Huffington Post

Cats generally like people who tend to ignore them, since their posture (turned away, slumped shoulders) seems relaxed.

WikiHow

He skulked away, shoulders slumped.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slumps away" to vividly depict a character's physical and emotional state after a defeat or disappointment. The phrase effectively conveys both movement and a sense of dejection.

Common error

Avoid using "slumps away" in formal or professional writing. The phrase is more appropriate for narrative or descriptive contexts where a degree of informality is acceptable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slumps away" functions as a compound verb phrase, vividly depicting a combined action of slumping and moving away. This describes both the manner of movement (slumping) and the direction (away), adding a layer of emotional or physical exhaustion to the action. Ludwig highlights examples where characters respond to defeat or bad news.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slumps away" offers a potent combination of physical action and emotional state, painting a clear picture of someone defeated or discouraged. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and notes its presence in various news and media outlets, albeit infrequently. While "slumps away" isn't suited for formal contexts, it excels in narrative settings where conveying dejection through movement is key. Related phrases like "shuffles off" or "retreats dejectedly" can provide nuanced alternatives depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shuffles off

Implies a slow, dragging movement away, often suggesting weariness or reluctance.

drags oneself away

Highlights the effort required to move away, emphasizing exhaustion or unwillingness.

retreats dejectedly

Focuses on the emotional state during the movement, emphasizing sadness or disappointment.

collapses backward

Indicates a sudden loss of physical control, resulting in a fall or slump.

stumbles off

Suggests an unsteady movement away, implying a lack of balance or coordination.

sinks back

Describes a gradual descent into a seated or reclined position, often associated with resignation.

falters and retreats

Combines a loss of momentum with a withdrawal, suggesting weakness or vulnerability.

wilts backward

Emphasizes a loss of energy and vitality, resulting in a drooping posture.

plods off

Conveys a heavy, laborious movement away, suggesting fatigue or resignation.

crawls away

Indicates a very low energy or incapacitated state.

FAQs

What does "slumps away" mean?

The phrase "slumps away" describes someone moving or falling in a drooping or dejected manner, often indicating defeat, exhaustion, or sadness.

How can I use "slumps away" in a sentence?

You might use "slumps away" to describe someone's reaction to bad news, for example: "After hearing the verdict, the defendant "slumps away", shoulders heavy with despair."

What are some alternatives to "slumps away"?

Alternatives to "slumps away" include "shuffles off", "retreats dejectedly", or "drags oneself away", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "slumps away" formal or informal?

"Slumps away" leans towards the informal side and fits better within narrative or descriptive writing rather than formal reports or academic papers. Consider "retreats dejectedly" for a more formal alternative.