out at heels
Preserved but no longer current.
Also seen as: out at elbows
Meaning · English
In declining circumstances.
Era: ca. 1811 (Georgian)
Where it’s used:
Origin
British & Irish English
Sources & notes
Historical definition reproduced from Grose’s Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue (1811 edition, public domain; Project Gutenberg #5402, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “out at heels” mean?
In declining circumstances.
Is “out at heels” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.