den Kopf hängen lassen

to lose heart; to be discouraged or despondent

Origin

The phrase has biblical roots: the lowered head was an outward sign of fasting and mourning (cf. the prophet Isaiah's criticism of merely outward signs of fasting). The physical gesture of the drooping head has since stood figuratively for despondency.

Source →

Building blocks

Words in this expression

hängen· to hang der Kopf· head lassen· to let nach· after die Niederlage· defeat

Grammar that uses this word

Preposition 'gegen' (against, accusative)Präposition 'gegen' (Akkusativ)
Local preposition 'auf' (on, Wo?/where? + dative)Lokale Präposition 'auf' (Wo? + Dativ)
Local preposition 'auf' (onto, Wohin?/where to? + accusative)Lokale Präposition 'auf' (Wohin? + Akkusativ)
Local preposition 'unter' (under, Wohin?/where to? + accusative)Lokale Präposition 'unter' (Wohin? + Akkusativ)
Plural with -e (der Tisch → die Tische)Plural mit -e
Plural with -er (das Kind → die Kinder)Plural mit -er

Examples

Auch der solltest du nicht den .
Even after the defeat you shouldn't lose heart.