1. if a business, an economy or a person's job is in the doldrums, it is not very successful and nothing new is happening in it.

High-street spending remains in the doldrums and retailers do not expect an imminent recovery.

2. to feel sad and to lack the energy to do anything.

He's been in the doldrums these past couple of weeks and nothing I do seems to cheer him up.

• keep something in check
• keep something in mind
• keep something to
• keep something to yourself
• keep something under hat
• keep something under wraps
• keep something under your hat
• keep something up to date
• keep sweet
• keep tabs on
• keep tabs on someone
• keep tabs on something
• keep the ball rolling
• keep the home fires burning
• keep the peace
• keep the wolf from the door
• keep time
• keep to
• keep to something
• keep to yourself
• keep track
• keep track of
• keep track of someone
• keep track of something
• keep under hat