dumps
B1informal, neutral, technical (computing)
Definition
Meaning
The plural of 'dump', meaning a place where waste is discarded.
1. A low state of spirits; a gloomy, depressed mood (often in 'down in the dumps'). 2. In computing, a copy of raw data from memory or storage.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word exists in multiple semantic domains: waste management, psychology/emotion, and computing. The emotional sense is typically used in the fixed phrase 'down in the dumps'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant meaning differences. Spelling of related terms may differ (e.g., landfill vs. garbage dump). The emotional sense is equally common in both varieties.
Connotations
Both carry the same connotations: waste sites are negative places; being 'down in the dumps' is an informal, non-clinical term for feeling sad.
Frequency
The emotional phrase 'down in the dumps' is very common in both UK and US speech. 'Dumps' meaning waste sites is common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
VERB + dumps (take rubbish to the dumps)BE + down in the dumpsVERB + a dump (of data)PREP + dumps (at the dumps)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “down in the dumps”
- “take a dump (vulgar slang for defecating, from the verb 'dump')”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Can refer to a sudden, large sale of assets or shares ('a stock dump').
Academic
Rare. May appear in environmental studies regarding waste sites.
Everyday
Most common in the phrase 'down in the dumps' (feeling sad) or referring to places where rubbish is taken.
Technical
Common in computing: 'core dump', 'database dump' – a saved copy of data for analysis or backup.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He dumps his old furniture at the tip every year.
- The software dumps error logs to this folder.
American English
- She dumps her trash at the landfill on Saturdays.
- The server dumps its memory when it crashes.
adverb
British English
- Not used as an adverb.
American English
- Not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Not typically used as an adjective. The related form is 'dumpy' (short and stout).
American English
- Not typically used as an adjective. The related form is 'dumpy' (short and stout).
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We take our rubbish to the dumps.
- She is down in the dumps today.
- Illegal dumps can cause serious pollution problems.
- After failing the test, he was down in the dumps for a week.
- The investigation revealed several toxic dumps near the river.
- A core dump is essential for diagnosing that software fault.
- The sudden dumps of shares by major investors triggered a market panic.
- Her research critiques the siting of municipal waste dumps in socio-economically deprived areas.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a DUMP truck unloading a heavy load. When you're 'down in the dumps', you feel weighed down by emotional rubbish.
Conceptual Metaphor
EMOTIONAL STATE IS A PHYSICAL LOCATION (being 'down' in a bad place). WASTE/TRASH IS UNWANTED MATERIAL (data, rubbish, bad feelings).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'дампинг' (dumping) which is an economic term. The emotional phrase 'down in the dumps' is an idiom, not directly translatable word-for-word. The computing term 'dump' is often transliterated as 'дамп'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'dumps' as a singular noun (incorrect: 'a dumps'; correct: 'a dump'). Confusing the noun 'dumps' (place/mood) with the verb form 'dumps' (he/she dumps).
Practice
Quiz
In a computing context, what is a 'dump' most likely to be?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The base singular form is 'dump'. 'Dumps' is the standard plural for the waste site meaning. For the emotional state, it is only used in the plural phrase 'down in the dumps'.
No, the standard, idiomatic phrase is 'down in the dumps'. Omitting 'down' sounds unnatural to native speakers.
It is informal. In formal writing about depression or low mood, use terms like 'despondent', 'dejected', or 'melancholy'.
Technically, a 'landfill' is a carefully engineered site for waste disposal, often lined and managed. A 'dump' is a more general and often informal term for any site where waste is discarded, which may not be properly managed.