slump

To sit, fall, or lean heavily because you are tired, weak, or unhappy.

• He slumped onto the sofa.
• Her shoulders slumped when she heard the news.
• Don't slump over your desk all day.

How to use it: slump into/onto something (He slumped into a chair after work.); slump against something (She slumped against the wall, too tired to stand.)

Similar words: slouch, collapse

Common phrases: slump down, slump forward, slump into something

To fall sharply in price, activity, or success.

• House prices slumped last year.
• Sales often slump after Christmas.
• The team's performance has slumped since its captain left.

How to use it: slump to something (Monthly sales slumped to their lowest level in years.); slump by something (Profits slumped by twenty percent.)

Similar words: plunge, drop, decline

Opposites: soar, rise

Common phrases: prices slump, sales slump, slump sharply

A heavy collapse, or a period when prices, activity, or performance are much lower than usual.

• The company is in a slump.
• The housing slump lasted several years.
• His sudden slump into the chair showed how exhausted he was.

How to use it: a slump in something (A slump in demand forced the factory to close.)

Similar words: decline, downturn, collapse

Common phrases: economic slump, sales slump, in a slump, sudden slump

A dessert made by cooking fruit with small pieces of dough on top in a covered pan.

• We had blackberry slump for dessert.
• Cover the pan while the slump cooks.
• She served warm blueberry slump with cream.

Similar words: grunt

Common phrases: blackberry slump, blueberry slump, fruit slump