Pronunciation: [biː dˌa͡ʊn and ˈa͡ʊt] (IPA) 
The phrase "be down and out" is commonly spelled exactly as it sounds. The first word, "down," is pronounced as /daʊn/ with a d sound at the beginning and a long ow sound in the middle. The word "and" is pronounced /ænd/ with a soft a sound and a d sound at the end. The final two words, "out," are pronounced as /aʊt/ with a long ow sound and a t sound at the end. The phrase means to be destitute or without resources.
The phrase "be down and out" is an idiomatic expression commonly used in informal English to describe someone who is experiencing extreme hardships, difficulties, or misfortune, often resulting in a sense of hopelessness or despair.
The term "down" refers to their low emotional state, signifying their feeling of being defeated, depressed, or overwhelmed. The word "out" emphasizes their circumstances of being completely destitute, lacking financial stability, or facing numerous setbacks.
When someone is described as "down and out," it implies that they have exhausted all possible resources, both physical and emotional, and are currently in a state of extreme vulnerability or disadvantage. This person might have experienced significant personal or professional setbacks, unemployment, financial ruin, or even social isolation, heightening their feelings of despair and hopelessness.
The expression "down and out" originated from the sport of boxing, where a fighter who is knocked down and unable to get back up within a specific time frame is considered defeated. It was then adopted metaphorically to depict individuals who face similar difficulties and are metaphorically knocked out by life's challenges.
Overall, "be down and out" refers to a state of being in which one is emotionally defeated and economically disadvantaged, often experiencing extreme hardships and having limited prospects for improvement.
