down bad.
So attracted to someone that you seem desperate or willing to sacrifice your dignity; also used for being in a difficult or unhappy situation.
What does down bad mean?
In the attraction sense, down bad describes desire that appears to overwhelm somebody’s judgment or dignity. A speaker might apply it to themselves after an embarrassing attempt to get a crush’s attention. The exaggeration is part of the tone.
There is also a broader documented sense of being in a difficult or despondent situation. Do not automatically sexualize a sentence about money, failure or sadness. Nearby references to attraction, replies or a particular person help distinguish the readings.
See how it lands.
Original examples written for this entry, not quotations from the sources.
I checked for their reply again; I am down bad.
After losing the job and the flat, he was down bad.
The right word.
The right moment.
Use it as casual self-mockery when the audience understands the intended meaning. A plain description is clearer when somebody is genuinely struggling.
Avoid turning another person’s distress into a sexual joke or assuming that a self-deprecating comment is a disclosure of actual behavior.
Not quite the same as…
cooked
Cooked can describe trouble, exhaustion or defeat. Down bad can describe hardship too, but has a distinct attraction-and-dignity sense.
A little backstory.
The linked reference documents this meaning. This entry does not establish a single inventor or a first-use date; a dictionary record and a current popularity measurement answer different questions.
Supported by Wiktionary contributors
Still wondering?
Does down bad always mean attracted to someone?
No. A difficult or despondent situation is another documented sense. The surrounding conversation determines which reading fits.
Is it flattering?
It emphasizes desperation or loss of dignity rather than straightforward admiration. As a comment about another person, it can be insulting.
Sources & checks
Meaning and factual notes are informed by the references below. Examples and usage advice are original editorial writing. A source documents use; it does not measure current popularity.
- down bad — meaning and usage ↗Wiktionary contributors · checked 20 Oct 2026Supports: meaning; distinct senses