Cool MateDejected vs Lying in the gutter
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Dejected
Beyond 10,000 (less common)B1adjective
Lying in the gutter
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: Dejected
| Dejected | Lying in the gutter | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //dɪˈdʒɛktɪd//🇺🇸 //dɪˈdʒɛktɪd// | 🇬🇧 //ˈlaɪ.ɪŋ ɪn ðə ˈɡʌtə//🇺🇸 //ˈlaɪ.ɪŋ ɪn ðə ˈɡʌtər// |
| Meaning | Feeling sad and without hope. | to be very poor and unhappy |
| Example | After losing the game, he felt completely dejected. | After losing his job, he felt like he was lying in the gutter. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | dejected mood, dejected expression, look dejected | feel like lying in the gutter, lying in the gutter of life, end up lying in the gutter |
| Antonyms | elated, cheerful, happy | standing tall, thriving, succeeding, prospering |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'rejected' which means not accepted., Using it in contexts unrelated to emotions., Spelling it incorrectly as 'dejectted'. | 'Gutter' is often confused with 'guttered', which is a different meaning., Misused in formal contexts where a more serious phrase is needed., Learners might confuse 'lying in the gutter' with 'lying down', losing the metaphorical meaning. |
| Usage notes | Use 'dejected' in emotional contexts, often to describe someone who is disappointed. Avoid in overly casual situations. | Often used to describe someone at their lowest point. It's informal and may not be suitable for formal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Dejected vs Lying in the gutter
What's the difference between Dejected and Lying in the gutter?
Dejected: Feeling sad and without hope. Lying in the gutter: to be very poor and unhappy
Which is more formal: Dejected and Lying in the gutter?
Dejected is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
Dejected: After losing the game, he felt completely dejected. Lying in the gutter: After losing his job, he felt like he was lying in the gutter.
Can I use Dejected and Lying in the gutter interchangeably?
Not always. Dejected and Lying in the gutter are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.