student asking question

What does he mean by "I'm down" and "I'm out"?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

By "I'm down", he's referring to being emotionally "down"- depressive or sad, not feeling like himself. "I'm out" has a few possible meanings that could all work here! The first is similar to "I'm down", but it also means "out of the picture"- he's no longer part of the other person's life. "I'm out" could also have a figurative meaning of being "knocked out", as he can no longer "stand" on his own as if knocked down in a physical fight. Ex: I've been feeling so down lately. I'm not sure what to do about it. Ex: I can't be in your life anymore, Ashley! I'm sorry. I'm out. Ex: I'm tired of arguing, John, I'm out.

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