down-on-his-luck
UK[ˌdaʊn ɒn hɪz ˈlʌk]US[ˌdaʊn ɑːn hɪz ˈlʌk]
adj
Suffering a period of misfortune or lack of success, especially financially.
Etymology
The phrase "down on his luck" is a relatively modern idiom, emerging in the 19th century. It combines the literal spatial metaphor of being "down" (in a low position) with the concept of fortune or "luck," personifying luck as a force upon which one can be positioned. The possessive pronoun ("his," "her," "their") personalizes the misfortune. The logic is elegantly figurative: just as one can be physically down, one can be in a low state regarding their fortune, conveying a sense of temporary hardship rather than inherent failure.
Analysis
This is a fixed adjectival phrase composed of common English words. 'Down' (from Old English dūne, meaning "from a higher to a lower position") functions metaphorically. 'On' (from Old English on, a preposition) indicates a state. 'His' (from Old English his, the genitive form of 'he') is a possessive pronoun. 'Luck' (from Middle Dutch luc, a shortening of gheluc, meaning "happiness, good fortune") is the noun object of the preposition.
Examples
He offered a meal and a bed to the down-on-his-luck traveler.
The film tells the story of a down-on-her-luck actress trying to make a comeback.
Despite being down on their luck, the family remained hopeful and supportive of each other.