Andar de capa caída

/an-DAR deh KAH-pah kah-EE-dah/

To be down in the dumps, disheartened, demoralized, or going through a rough patch.

Level:B2Register:NeutralCommon:★★★★☆

💡 Understanding the Idiom

Literal Translation:

"To walk with a fallen cape"

What It Really Means:

To be down in the dumps, disheartened, demoralized, or going through a rough patch.

English Equivalents:

To be down in the dumpsTo be feeling blueTo have seen better daysTo be down on one's luck

🎨 Literal vs. Figurative

💭 Literal

Literally, this means 'to walk with a fallen cape'.

✨ Figurative

In practice, it means to be sad, discouraged, or going through a tough time.

Key Words in This Idiom:

andarcapacaída

📝 In Action

Últimamente, Juan anda de capa caída desde que perdió su trabajo.

Lately, Juan has been down in the dumps since he lost his job.

El equipo anda de capa caída después de perder tres partidos seguidos.

The team is disheartened after losing three games in a row.

Te noto un poco de capa caída, ¿te pasa algo?

You seem a bit down, is something wrong?

📜 Origin Story

This phrase comes from Spain's Golden Age (16th-17th centuries). Back then, gentlemen wore elegant capes as a status symbol. A well-worn, dashing cape showed you were successful and confident. If your cape was drooping, dirty, or 'fallen' ('caída'), it was a clear sign that you had fallen on hard times, lost your fortune, or were too dejected to care about your appearance. It was a visible symbol of your inner sadness or failure.

⭐ Usage Tips

For People, Teams, or Things

You can use this for a person who is sad, but also for a team on a losing streak, or even a business that's not doing well. It describes a state of decline or low morale.

A Gentle Way to Show Concern

This is a gentle way to describe someone's sadness. It's often used to show you're worried, like saying, 'Te veo de capa caída, ¿estás bien?' (I see you're a bit down, are you okay?).

❌ Common Pitfalls

It's Not for a Fleeting Mood

Mistake: "Using it for a brief moment of disappointment, like when you miss the bus."

Correction: This idiom implies a more lasting state of being down or in a slump. For a quick, passing sadness, it's more natural to just say 'estoy triste' (I'm sad).

🌎 Where It's Used

🇪🇸

Spain

Very common and originates from here. Widely understood by all ages.

🌎

Latin America

Understood in many countries, but local alternatives like 'estar bajoneado' (Argentina, Chile) or 'estar agüitado' (Mexico) are often more common in casual speech.

🔗 Related Idioms

↔️Similar Meanings

estar de bajón

To be in a slump or feeling down.

no levantar cabeza

To be stuck in a bad situation, unable to recover.

⇆Opposite Meanings

estar pletórico

To be full of energy and joy.

estar en la cresta de la ola

To be on the crest of a wave; at the peak of success.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: Andar de capa caída

Question 1 of 1

If a sports team 'anda de capa caída', it means...

🏷️ Tags

EmotionsSadnessClothingCommonly Used

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use 'estar' instead of 'andar' with this idiom?

Yes, 'estar de capa caída' is also very common and means the exact same thing. 'Andar' can sometimes suggest a more continuous or ongoing process of being in that state, but in everyday conversation, they are used interchangeably.