He was sinking into the Slough of Despond.

他那时正陷入极度沮丧的状态。

《牛津词典》

At that time the country was in the slough of despond.

当时该国陷入深深的绝望之中。

youdao

We must do something to save him from the slough of Despond.

我们必须得做点什么，让他不再绝望。

youdao

As the overblown optimism wears off and the hopes of JK Rowling-like status evaporate, so the slough of despond will take a hold.

FORBES: Self-Publishing's Place On The Hype Cycle

Still, it seems unlikely that either Mr Thompson or Mr Huckabee possesses the necessary heft to pull their party out of the slough of despond.

ECONOMIST: Lexington

These include not only the perseverance that kept him tramping through the slough of despond when others might have given up, but also a nimble and well-stocked mind, an approachable manner on the stump and the big prize that eludes Mr Romney a palpable sincerity.

ECONOMIST: Lexington