The dumps means feeling sad, discouraged, or gloomy. When you're down in the dumps, everything feels heavy and gray, like a rainy afternoon when you'd rather be outside playing. Maybe you struck out in the big game, fought with your best friend, or just woke up feeling blue for no particular reason you can name.

This phrase perfectly captures that slumped, droopy feeling of sadness. You might say, “I've been in the dumps all week” or “That movie really put me in the dumps.”

The dumps is temporary sadness, not the kind of serious, lasting sadness that might mean you need help from adults or doctors. It's the feeling that makes you want to mope around your room instead of doing things you normally enjoy. Most people climb out of the dumps after some time passes, or after talking with someone who cares, or after something good happens to lift their spirits. Everyone visits the dumps sometimes: it's a normal part of being human.