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general::
Phrase(s): *down-at-the-heels
1. Lit. [of shoes] worn on the bottom of the heels. (*Typically: be ~; get ~.) • This pair is a little down-at-the-heels, but I only use them for gardening. 2. Fig. worn down; showing signs of use or age. (*Typically: be ~; get ~.) • He is a little down-at-theheels, but give him a new suit of clothes and he’ll look just great. • This jacket is a little down-at-the-heels.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs