Depression can be a heavy emotion, and language often reflects this with vivid idioms. These expressions help describe feelings of sadness, despair, and emotional struggle in a way that resonates deeply.

1. Down in the Dumps

Meaning: Feeling very sad or depressed.
Example: “She’s been down in the dumps since she lost her job.”
Tone: Informal, sympathetic.
Other ways to say it: Feeling low, in a funk.

2. Under the Weather

Meaning: Feeling sick or emotionally low.
Example: “I’m feeling under the weather today, so I’ll stay in.”
Tone: Casual, mild.
Other ways to say it: Not feeling great, out of sorts.

3. A Dark Cloud Hanging Over

Meaning: A lingering feeling of sadness or worry.
Example: “Ever since the breakup, it’s like a dark cloud is hanging over him.”
Tone: Poetic, serious.
Other ways to say it: Shadow of sadness, burdened.

4. Feeling Blue

Meaning: Feeling sad or downhearted.
Example: “He’s been feeling blue since his best friend moved away.”
Tone: Gentle, melancholic.
Other ways to say it: Feeling low, downcast.

5. In a Slump

Meaning: Stuck in a period of sadness or low energy.
Example: “I’ve been in a slump lately, struggling to find motivation.”
Tone: Hopeless, struggling.
Other ways to say it: Feeling stuck, in a rut.

6. The Blues

Meaning: A state of sadness or melancholy.
Example: “Winter always brings me the blues.”
Tone: Soft, poetic.
Other ways to say it: Feeling down, low spirits.

7. At Rock Bottom

Meaning: The lowest emotional or mental point.
Example: “After losing his job and his house, he felt like he was at rock bottom.”
Tone: Extreme, hopeless.
Other ways to say it: Hitting the lowest point, in despair.

8. A Heavy Heart

Meaning: Feeling deep sadness or grief.
Example: “She left with a heavy heart, knowing she wouldn’t return.”
Tone: Emotional, sorrowful.
Other ways to say it: Heartbroken, weighed down.

9. Losing the Light

Meaning: Feeling like happiness or hope is fading.
Example: “After so many disappointments, he felt like he was losing the light.”
Tone: Poetic, melancholic.
Other ways to say it: Losing hope, growing weary.

10. Drowning in Sadness

Meaning: Overwhelmed by sorrow.
Example: “Since the accident, she’s been drowning in sadness.”
Tone: Dramatic, emotional.
Other ways to say it: Overcome with grief, buried in sorrow.

11. Carrying the Weight of the World

Meaning: Feeling an overwhelming burden of sadness or stress.
Example: “Lately, it feels like I’m carrying the weight of the world.”
Tone: Exhausted, burdened.
Other ways to say it: Overloaded, emotionally drained.

12. Lost in the Dark

Meaning: Feeling hopeless and uncertain.
Example: “After losing her way in life, she felt lost in the dark.”
Tone: Helpless, struggling.
Other ways to say it: Confused, directionless.

13. Down and Out

Meaning: Feeling completely defeated and without hope.
Example: “After his business failed, he was down and out.”
Tone: Defeated, bleak.
Other ways to say it: Crushed, hopeless.

14. An Empty Shell

Meaning: Feeling emotionally hollow or numb.
Example: “Since the tragedy, she’s been like an empty shell.”
Tone: Numb, disconnected.
Other ways to say it: Hollow, void of feeling.

15. Hit a Rough Patch

Meaning: Going through a difficult emotional time.
Example: “He’s hit a rough patch lately, struggling with everything.”
Tone: Temporary, struggling.
Other ways to say it: Tough time, bad spell.

16. Feeling Like a Ghost

Meaning: Feeling invisible or disconnected from the world.
Example: “Since his loss, he’s been feeling like a ghost, drifting through life.”
Tone: Isolated, numb.
Other ways to say it: Unseen, unnoticed.

17. Walking Through Fog

Meaning: Struggling to see a clear path in life.
Example: “Every day feels like walking through fog—I can’t find my way.”
Tone: Confused, lost.
Other ways to say it: Uncertain, struggling.

18. A Broken Spirit

Meaning: Feeling deeply discouraged and hopeless.
Example: “The constant failures left him with a broken spirit.”
Tone: Devastated, weary.
Other ways to say it: Defeated, shattered inside.

19. Like a Balloon Losing Air

Meaning: Gradually losing energy, happiness, or hope.
Example: “After months of bad news, I feel like a balloon losing air.”
Tone: Slow decline, drained.
Other ways to say it: Deflating, losing motivation.

20. A Hole in the Heart

Meaning: Feeling incomplete due to sadness or loss.
Example: “Ever since she left, I’ve had a hole in my heart.”
Tone: Heartbroken, longing.
Other ways to say it: Deep loss, aching inside.

21. On the Edge of Tears

Meaning: Almost breaking down emotionally.
Example: “Lately, every little thing puts me on the edge of tears.”
Tone: Fragile, overwhelmed.
Other ways to say it: Close to crying, emotionally raw.

22. A Sinking Feeling

Meaning: A deep, growing sense of sadness or fear.
Example: “As the reality hit, he felt a sinking feeling in his chest.”
Tone: Anxious, heavy.
Other ways to say it: Dread, emotional drop.

23. Like a Shadow of Yourself

Meaning: Feeling like a lesser version of who you once were.
Example: “Depression can make you feel like a shadow of yourself.”
Tone: Weakened, struggling.
Other ways to say it: Not yourself, emotionally drained.

24. Sinking into Despair

Meaning: Falling deeper into sadness and hopelessness.
Example: “Each passing day, she felt herself sinking into despair.”
Tone: Hopeless, lost.
Other ways to say it: Falling apart, spiraling.

25. A Storm Inside

Meaning: Feeling intense emotional turmoil.
Example: “No one could see it, but inside, she had a storm raging.”
Tone: Chaotic, overwhelmed.
Other ways to say it: Inner turmoil, emotional battle.

26. Dragging Your Feet

Meaning: Moving through life slowly and without motivation.
Example: “Ever since the breakup, he’s been dragging his feet through life.”
Tone: Slow, discouraged.
Other ways to say it: Unmotivated, struggling.

27. Like Carrying a Heavy Load

Meaning: Feeling overwhelmed by emotional burdens.
Example: “Every day, it feels like I’m carrying a heavy load of sadness.”
Tone: Weary, struggling.
Other ways to say it: Overburdened, weighed down.

Conclusion

Depression is difficult to put into words, but these idioms capture the feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and emotional weight in a relatable way.