down at the heel

down-at-the-heel

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-the-heel look by wearing second-hand clothing. John has been looking increasingly down-at-the-heel ever since he lost his job last year.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

down at the heel

/heels
1. With the heel worn down. Used of shoes.
2. Shabby or poor in appearance.
See also: down, heel
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • down-at-the-heel
  • down-at-heels
  • down-at-heel
  • down at heel
  • down at the heels
  • down-at-the-heels
  • out at the heel(s)
  • out at the knees
  • out at elbows
  • out at the elbows
References in periodicals archive
Once we took our shoes to the cobblers, now the minute they're ever so slightly down at the heel, out they go.
A granny state has the cure.
The pair he was wearing were worn down at the heel from weeks on the campaign trail.
I'm MAD for it; EXCLUSIVE NEW MP READY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Which is why, when we start to feel down at the heel, we'll still hoof it over to Jim the Shoe Doctor and visit owner Mike Summers.
For shoe repair, Jim's has more sole
You must have noticed how alarmingly bedraggled and generally down at the heel some of the AMs have been looking recently as they eke out their coppers in a constant struggle to make ends meet.
Looking back
Now he's lifting the lid on who's top-to-toe perfect and who's down at the heel in a new book called The Sole of a Shoemaker.
SHOE-PERSTAR; Nancy's boots were made for shocking while Uma puts her size 10s in it
Recently it has gotten a bit down at the heels, and the area developed a reputation for a high rate of crime along its poorly lit streets.
Chinese cuisine's greatest hits, all good and well-priced
I thought he was down to earth, but later he turned out to be someone who was down at the heels and down and out.
~Down but not out
My boots have come to the end of their day, Down at the heels and soles worn away, Holes appear in paper thin soles now, To buy a newpair I do not know how, My last fewbob has gone on the lottery, There are many families just likemine, Speculate to accumulate is the onlyway, Hoping for a big win to say 'goodbye rainy day', When I hear I had clicked on lottery, I rushed to the shops formuch needed goods, This bigwin will not changemy way of life, But itwill make it easier forme andmy wife.
Your Poem; BOOTS
Although Frumkin characterizes the hotel at that time as being "rather down at the heels, "Saul remembers it as ritzy and impresive.
Peter Saul: Michael Duncan recounts how a parcel filled with crayon drawings addressed to Matta led to Peter Saul's 1961 debut at Allan Frumkin's Chicago gallery. (First break)