To be down on one's luck
Meaning
To be experiencing a period of misfortune, bad luck, or difficult circumstances.
Origin
The phrase 'down on one's luck' first appeared in print in the early 19th century, with its roots firmly in the era's burgeoning gambling culture and the stark realities of economic boom and bust. Imagine a card player, having lost hand after hand, their fortune dwindling to nothing. They’re no longer “up” in the game, but “down”—faced with the harsh truth that fate, or the turn of a card, has turned against them. This imagery, of fortunes rising and falling like the stakes in a game, perfectly captured the plight of individuals experiencing a run of misfortune, swiftly moving from the gaming table into everyday language to describe anyone caught in a spiral of adverse circumstances.
Examples
- After losing his job and then his apartment, he felt truly down on his luck.
- She was down on her luck after her car broke down right before an important job interview.