Meaning of "down in the dumps"

[Piotresky]

Test No. express/advan-17 "Down to Earth", question 1

Poor Charlie has been down in the dumps since he learned that he's lost his job.

(a) miserable
(b) angry
(c) furious
(d) uneasy

Test No. express/advan-17 "Down to Earth", answer 1

Poor Charlie has been miserable since he learned that he's lost his job.

Correct answer: (a) miserable
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What's the meaning of the expression "down in the dumps"?

Piotresky

[Alan]

This means unhappy, depressed, miserable.
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story New year resolutions

[Haihao]

Hi,

Could I look upon it as a synonym of 'in the dumps' or severer than the latter?

haihao