Meaning: In a state of inactivity, sadness or stagnation
Hindi: निराशा या मंदी की स्थिति में
Synonyms: depressed, stagnant, low spirits
Asked in: SSC Selection Post Ph-14 2026 (Matriculation Level) · SSC Steno 2026 T-1 · SSC CGL 2025 T-1 · SSC MTS 2024
in the doldrums in SSC previous-year questions
- SSC MTS 2024 Idioms & Phrases
Select the most appropriate idiom for the underlined segment in the given sentence.
Sarvana failed in the examination last week and is in extreme depression these days.Answer & explanation
Answer: B) In the doldrums
Answer: In the doldrums
Explanation:
• The idiom "in the doldrums" means being in a state of low spirits or depression.
(Hindi: उदासी या निराशा की स्थिति) – ✅ Correct meaning for "extreme depression"
Other options:
• In the lurch means abandoned or left in a difficult situation (Hindi: मुसीबत में छोड़ देना) – ❌ Incorrect
• In cold blood means without emotion or pity (Hindi: बेरहमी से) – ❌ Incorrect
• In the red means in debt or losing money (Hindi: घाटे में) – ❌ Incorrect
Correct idiom:
"Sarvana failed in the examination last week and is in the doldrums these days." - SSC CGL 2025 T-1 Idioms & Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of idiom:
In the doldrumsAnswer & explanation
Answer: B) In a state of depression or inactivity
‘In the doldrums’ means in a state of inactivity, stagnation or depression.
The phrase originates from a maritime region of calm winds near the equator. - SSC Selection Post Ph-14 2026 (Matriculation Level) Idioms & Phrases
What does the idiom/phrase 'in the doldrums' mean?
Answer & explanation
Answer: A) In low spirits or inactivity
Meaning: in the doldrums = in a state of low spirits, or of stagnation and no progress *(उदास, सुस्त; ठहराव की स्थिति में)*.
*The housing market has been in the doldrums for two years.*
Origin.
The doldrums are the calm belt of ocean near the equator where winds often die away.
Sailing ships could lie becalmed there for weeks — stuck, going nowhere, and the crews grew gloomy.
Why the others are wrong.
#B In a dangerous situation *(ख़तरनाक स्थिति में)* — that is in deep water / in hot water.
#B In excellent physical health *(उत्तम स्वास्थ्य में)* — that is in the pink / fit as a fiddle.
#B In a condition of doubt *(संदेह की स्थिति में)* — that is in two minds / up in the air.
Answer: In lo - SSC Steno 2026 T-1 Idioms & Phrases
Choose the alternative which gives the correct meaning of the given idiom or phrase.
In the doldrumsAnswer & explanation
Answer: B) A state of stagnation or depression
Meaning: in the doldrums = in a state of stagnation, inactivity or low spirits *(मंदी या उदासी की स्थिति में)*.
A market that has stopped moving, or a person who has lost all spirit, is in the doldrums.
So A state of stagnation or depression *(ठहराव या अवसाद की स्थिति)* is the sense.
Origin.
The Doldrums is a real belt of ocean near the equator where the trade winds die away.
Sailing ships were becalmed there for days on end, going nowhere — and the name passed to any listless, going-nowhere condition.
Why the others are wrong.
• Feeling lost in a large crowd *(भीड़ में खो जाना)* — that feeling belongs to a fish out of water, being out of one's element.
• Being stuck in heavy traffic *(भारी य
Examples
- “The economy has been in the doldrums for months.”
in the doldrums – questions
What is the meaning of in the doldrums in Hindi?
in the doldrums means “निराशा या मंदी की स्थिति में” in Hindi. In English: In a state of inactivity, sadness or stagnation
What are the synonyms of in the doldrums?
Synonyms of in the doldrums: depressed, stagnant, low spirits.
Has in the doldrums been asked in SSC exams?
Yes – in the doldrums has been asked 4 times in SSC exams: SSC Selection Post Ph-14 2026 (Matriculation Level), SSC Steno 2026 T-1, SSC CGL 2025 T-1, SSC MTS 2024.