A downswing is a period when things are going worse than usual, especially in performance, success, or mood. A basketball player going through a downswing might miss shots they normally make. A business experiencing a downswing sees fewer customers and lower profits than before. During an economic downswing, companies hire fewer workers and people spend less money.

Just as a pendulum swings up and down, most activities have periods of better and worse performance. A baseball player in a batting slump is experiencing a downswing at the plate. A student who usually earns As but gets a few Bs might be in a temporary downswing.

The opposite is an upswing, when things improve. Recognizing that downswings are temporary parts of a larger pattern can make them feel less discouraging.