down bad

Meaning

This slang term describes being in a desperate, miserable, or hopelessly obsessed state, most commonly due to intense romantic infatuation or attraction to someone. It can also refer more generally to being in a bad situation, such as being broke or highly stressed. The tone is highly casual and often used humorously to tease someone for their obvious desperation.

Examples

• He's been down bad ever since they broke up, constantly checking her Instagram.

  He's been down bad ever since they broke up, constantly checking her Instagram.

• I am down bad for that new sports car, but my bank account says absolutely not.

  I am down bad for that new sports car, but my bank account says absolutely not.

• Look at him staring at her photo; he is seriously down bad.

  Look at him staring at her photo; he is seriously down bad.

• After losing his wallet and missing his flight, he was feeling down bad.

  After losing his wallet and missing his flight, he was feeling down bad.

• You are down bad if you're texting your ex at three in the morning.

  You are down bad if you're texting your ex at three in the morning.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I am feeling down bad because of the cold weather.

  ✓ I am feeling down under the weather because of the cold weather.

  'Down bad' is for desperate infatuation or situational misery, not physical illness. Use 'under the weather' for mild sickness.

• ✗ He is down bad to his boss.

  ✓ He is down bad for his boss.

  To express extreme attraction or infatuation, the correct preposition is 'for', not 'to'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• She is ___ ___ for that actor; her room is covered in his posters.

  💡 Desperately infatuated

  Show answer

  down bad

• He's texting his ex again? Man, he is ___ ___.

  💡 Hopelessly desperate or obsessed

  Show answer

  down bad