Down At Heel – Idiom of the Day for IELTS Speaking

When preparing for the IELTS Speaking test, using idiomatic expressions naturally and correctly can boost your score, especially in the Lexical Resource criterion. Today’s idiom, “Down at Heel,” is useful when describing someone in shabby clothes or a poor financial situation.

Meaning of Down At Heel

Definition: Down at heel means looking shabby, poorly dressed, or neglected, often because of financial struggles. It can also describe someone whose overall appearance shows hardship or poverty.

Origin of the Idiom Down At Heel

The phrase originates from the idea of worn-out shoes, where the heel is damaged due to overuse or neglect. Over time, it came to symbolize people who appear run-down, both in clothing and lifestyle, due to lack of money or care.

Usage of Down At Heel in Context

Here are some example sentences showing how the idiom is used in IELTS Speaking:

• “Henry has been very down at heel since his business collapsed.”
• “When I first met her, she was down at heel but still respectable.”
• “Don’t wear those torn clothes, you’ll look down at heel.”

Pro tip: Use this idiom when describing poverty, financial hardship, or situations where someone looks shabby or neglected.

When to Use the Idiom Down At Heel

You can use this idiom in IELTS Speaking Part 1, Part 2, or IELTS Speaking Part 3 when:

• Talking about people facing financial struggles.
• Describing someone with a shabby or run-down appearance.
• Discussing social issues like homelessness or poverty.

Idiom Scenarios

Scenario 1
Sam: Why does John look so tired and shabby these days?
Asha: His shop closed last year. He’s been really down at heel ever since.

Scenario 2
Mia: Did you see that old man outside the library.
Arjun: Yes, he seemed very down at heel. I hope someone helps him.

Sample Answer Using the Idiom Down At Heel

IELTS Speaking Part 2 – Describe a time when you helped someone.

Sample Answer:
“One time I helped a man in my neighborhood who had lost his job. He looked very down at heel—his clothes were worn out, and he seemed really stressed. I offered to help him prepare his CV and gave him some food supplies. A few weeks later, he got a new job and thanked me for the support. I used this opportunity to realize how important it is to help people in need.”

IELTS Vocabulary Tip for Down At Heel

Using idioms like down at heel makes your IELTS Speaking answers sound natural and descriptive. It’s especially effective when discussing topics related to poverty, appearance, or helping others.

Exercise: Down At Heel

Multiple-Choice Question
Q1: “The homeless usually are ______________ because they cannot buy even basic food, let alone good clothes.”

a) have her name in lights
b) down at heel
c) dressed to kill
d) runs in the family

Correct Answer: b) down at heel

Mastering idioms like down at heel not only enriches your vocabulary but also helps you sound more natural and fluent in IELTS Speaking. Practice using such expressions in real-life contexts to boost your band score. If you’re aiming for a higher band score, make sure to practice idioms in context and check out the IELTS Exam Preparation Tips for Band Score of 8+ to further enhance your vocabulary and overall test performance.

Also Check: 

• 21+ Tips On How to Improve Your IELTS Writing Band Score
• IELTS Exam Preparation Tips for Band Score of 8+
• IELTS Writing Task 1 Connectors
• 10 Useful IELTS Speaking Tips to Impress the Examiner
• Useful Idioms for IELTS Speaking to Score Band 8.0+