In a funk
Meaning
To be in a state of sadness, depression, or low spirits for a period of time.
Origin
The term "funk" didn't always describe a gloomy mood. In 18th-century England, to be "in a funk" meant to be gripped by a sudden, intense fright or panic, perhaps from the Old French "fungier" meaning to give off smoke, implying a stifling, fear-induced cloud. Over time, this acute sense of terror softened and broadened. The debilitating feeling of panic—the inability to move or think clearly—began to associate with a more general state of mental inertia and dejection. By the 19th century, the phrase had shed its sharp edge of fear, transforming into our familiar expression for being in a prolonged, dispirited state, a feeling of being mentally clouded and unable to shake off the gloom.
Examples
- After losing the championship game, the entire team was in a funk for the rest of the week.
- I've been in a bit of a funk lately, but I'm trying to find ways to lift my mood and feel more positive.