1.
to be dejected, to be disappointed, to look crestfallen
Literally "to drop one's shoulders." Describes the body language of someone who is disappointed, discouraged, or dispirited, with their shoulders sagging.
A vivid physical metaphor: when people are disappointed, their shoulders literally droop. This expression captures both the physical posture and the emotional state. Very commonly used in narrative and descriptive writing.
Usage
Often used with the て-form + いる to describe an ongoing state: 肩を落としている (looking dejected). Also commonly used in the て-form as a connective: 肩を落として歩く (to walk dejectedly).
Common collocations
- がっくり肩を落とす: to slump one's shoulders dejectedly
- 肩を落として帰る: to go home looking dejected
- 肩を落として歩く: to walk with drooping shoulders