out of the doldrums

out of the doldrums

No longer in a state of stagnation or misfortune; increasing in activity, progress, or success. After being stuck in a recession for the past several years, the economy has finally begun coming out of the doldrums in recent months.
See also: doldrums, of, out
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

out of the doldrums

If a person, organization, economy, etc. comes out of the doldrums, they improve and become more successful and active. Still, today's estimates provide hope the economy may finally be coming out of the doldrums. With her humour and upbeat spirit, Jane got me right out of the doldrums I'd been in for three years. Note: The above expressions relate to the Doldrums, which is an area of sea near the equator where there is often little or no wind. This meant that sailing ships could be stuck there for long periods. It is not clear whether sailors named the area after the expression, or whether the name for the area gave rise to the expression, although the first possibility is more likely.
See also: doldrums, of, out
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • settle a score
  • settle a score (with someone)
  • dark days
  • give hostage to fortune
  • hostage
  • Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, the
  • live to fight another day
  • bad luck
  • be down on (one's) luck
  • be down on your luck
References in periodicals archive
He has delivered some of the finest British comedy moments of the last decade and dragged the Beeb out of the doldrums after decades of unfunny sitcoms.
Hotshot shows that he's fame for a laugh; RICKY GERVAIS RCH, Glasgow, Jan 8,9,10 Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, Jan 17, 18, 19
Techniques and strategies that anyone can use to lift themselves out of the doldrums abound in this invigorating and emotionally cleansing self-help guide.
Healthy Attitudes Smart Choices
DAMIEN Duff is ready to put a nightmare World Cup campaign behind him and get Ireland out of the doldrums.
Football: DUFFER IS READY TO RUMBLE; Chelsea star puts injury behind him
SCOTT PARKER is convinced NEWCASTLE will get it right as they attempt to drag their season out of the doldrums.
Football: Parker upbeat
Fans will never forget the Keegan-McDermott years on Tyneside, when they lifted the club out of the doldrums and turned it into one of the most exciting and popular teams not only in this country but also in Europe.
Terry Mac makes passionate plea to players
As a result he inspired a nation to collectively come out of the doldrums of despair and move forward in many productive ways."
My favourite things
Mr Beaver said: "Colonel Gaddafi realises he has got to get his country out of the doldrums into a situation where they are able to feed the people, get them sanitation," he said.
Gaddafi turns to West
# SIR - During her visit to the Welsh Assembly, the Queen urged people to use their vote to lift election turn-outs out of the doldrums.
Letter: Oath of allegiance just meaningless babble
If research and development spending on new product development is supposed to help companies pull out of the doldrums, things aren't looking good.
R&D spending forecast weak. (Business Briefs)
However, industry experts predict that New York City - with its diverse business base -- will be able to come out of the doldrums sometime in the second half of 2003.
Market could bounce back by second half 2003
Peter Makin, who only had his first winner of the season on turf last week, maintained his climb out of the doldrums when Canterloupe took the sprint handicap, writes Geoff Lester.
Windsor: Canterloupe cheers virus-hit Makin yard
Mintz believes that the only way the software industry can snap out of the doldrums is by firing everybody over the age of 30 or anyone who drinks tea, especially chai.
Economics for Dummies
This thin fable about a once and future mariner who roams the seas in search of dry land is occasionally lifted out of the doldrums by some dazzling special effects and a maniacally evil villain (Dennis Hopper, of course).
Waterworld
Women's voices lifted rhythm and blues out of the doldrums last year, from TLC's blockbuster to promising debuts from Macy Gray and Melky Sedeck.
The Year's Best
"With no real sign of the markets settling down, it could be several months before we are out of the doldrums," said Mr Neil Austin, head of new issues.
Jobs boost as Microsoft and Computacenter forge alliance