落(お)ち目(め)

おちめ

noun

decline, on the wane

1. decline, on the wane, going downhill

A state of declining fortune, popularity, or power. Used to describe a person, business, or entity that has passed their peak and is losing status or relevance.

あの会社(かいしゃ)は落(お)ち目(め)だ。

That company is on the decline.

落(お)ち目(め)の芸能人(げいのうじん)にはテレビの仕事(しごと)が来(こ)なくなる。

TV work stops coming for celebrities who are past their prime.

人気(にんき)が落(お)ち目(め)になると、周(まわ)りの人間(にんげん)も離(はな)れていく。

When your popularity goes into decline, the people around you drift away too.

Usage

An informal, slightly blunt word. Carries a negative connotation and is not used in formal speech. Often used about public figures, businesses, or trends that have lost momentum. Can sound harsh when used about a person directly.

Common patterns

～は落(お)ち目(め)だ: ~ is on the decline
落(お)ち目(め)の～: declining ~ (落(お)ち目(め)の政治家(せいじか))
落(お)ち目(め)になる: to go into decline

Similar words

衰退(すいたい): decline, decay — more formal, used for larger entities like nations, industries
下(くだ)り坂(ざか): going downhill — similar informal usage, can also be literal

Related Words

Compare: 衰退(すいたい) (decline, decay)

Compare: 下(くだ)り坂(ざか) (going downhill)

general

Added 2026.2.27 17:37 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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