Idiom: he was down on his luck

[Ildikos]

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #57 "Lucky You", question 9

Everyone decided to help him by offering money as they'd heard he was ......... on his luck.

(a) low
(b) down
(c) off
(d) below

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #57 "Lucky You", answer 9

Everyone decided to help him by offering money as they'd heard he was down on his luck.

Correct answer: (b) down

Your answer was: correct
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Hi, help me with this idiom please? Does it mean he was without any money?
Thanks,

Ildikos

[Yankee]

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Yes, it basically means he didn't have any money OR that he had very little money or he didn't have enough enough money to pay for the necessities of life. Saying that someone is 'down on their luck' is usually a reference to a temporary situation. He may have lost his job, for example, and for this reason he has little or no income at the moment.
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Amy
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ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English