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Down but Not Out

What Does "Down but Not Out" Mean?

homeidiomsDown but Not Out
"Down but not out" is an English idiom. It means "defeated or in a bad situation but still determined or showing hope."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "down but not out" used in a sentence:
  • He was down but not out after his business failed.
  • The team was down in the final minutes, but they were not out.
  • Even after the setback, she remained down but not out.
meaning for down but not out

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Down but Not Out" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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