down-at-heels

down-at-heels

Having a worn-out, shabby, or cheap appearance, as due to poverty or overuse. A lot of so-called hipsters try to affect a down-at-heels look by wearing second-hand clothing. John has been looking increasingly down-at-heels ever since he lost his job last year.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • down at the heels
  • down-at-the-heels
  • down at the heel
  • down-at-the-heel
  • down at heel
  • down-at-heel
  • out at the heel(s)
  • out at the knees
  • out at elbows
  • out at the elbows
References in classic literature
Eliza returns with a pair of large down-at-heel slippers.
Pygmalion
Wherever he went, this foredoomed Tip appeared to take the prison walls with him, and to set them up in such trade or calling; and to prowl about within their narrow limits in the old slip-shod, purposeless, down-at-heel way; until the real immovable Marshalsea walls asserted their fascination over him, and brought him back.
Little Dorrit
city; a bigger city; a small, down-at-heels country; then one of
In Order To
Talking the staff at a recent event, there is a real down-at-heels feeling among them as their own futures are now insecure and clearly some are now looking elsewhere.
Letter: Mailbag - Dismay over All Saints
Fleming plays a humorous and empathetic down-at-heels compere who bolsters the dancer as she re-enacts three phases of life and finally, wearing a shroudlike garment, presages her own death.
An "exquisite hour" with Maina Gielgud. (News)
Some blocks are down-at-heels, and a few of the historic buildings have been modernized.
Vegas Vic? One stop on the tour