Meaning of 'down-at-heel'

[Priscila]

Test No. express/advan-17 "Down to Earth", question 6

He's certainly picked himself up since we last saw him when he was clearly down-at-heel.

(a) loudly dressed
(b) shabbly dressed
(c) strangely dressed
(d) oddly dressed

Test No. express/advan-17 "Down to Earth", answer 6

He's certainly picked himself up since we last saw him when he was clearly shabbly dressed.

Correct answer: (b) shabbly dressed

Your answer was: incorrect
He's certainly picked himself up since we last saw him when he was clearly loudly dressed.
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Please explain the meaning of shabbly.

Priscila

[Mister Micawber]

.
The spelling is actually shabbily dressed, and it means dressed in old, worn or cheap clothing.
.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Alan]

Hi Priscilla,

Thanks for drawing attention to the typing mistake. We'll get that changed.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple