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mope around

B1 informal intransitive
In simple words

Walk around slowly looking sad and not wanting to do anything.

Meanings

1 B1 informal

To move about in a sad, listless way because you are unhappy or feeling sorry for yourself.

"She spent the whole weekend moping around the house after she failed her driving test."

2 B1 informal

To spend time in a depressed or unmotivated state, lacking the energy or will to do anything constructive.

"There's no point in moping around — you didn't get that job, but there are plenty of others out there."

Usage notes

Common in both British and American English. Often used with mild exasperation. 'Mope around the house' is a very frequent collocation. Typically describes someone dwelling in unhappiness after a disappointment or loss.

Commonly used with

house apartment all day stop school bedroom

Forms

Base
mope around
I/you/we/they
3rd person
mopes around
he/she/it
Past simple
moped around
yesterday
Past participle
moped around
have + pp
-ing form
moping around
continuous

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