Gutter

A shallow trough fixed beneath the edge of a roof or along the side of a road to carry off rainwater. It can also refer to a channel at the side of a road or street. Figuratively, the gutter can symbolize a low or degraded state, often associated with poverty, crime, and immoral behavior. It may also denote the space between the two pages of a book. Finally, in publishing or printing, it can mean the inner margin of facing pages, often where the binding is located.

Gutter meaning with examples

• The heavy rain caused the gutters to overflow, sending a cascade of water down the side of the house. The homeowner needed to unclog the gutter to prevent water damage. I noticed leaves and debris blocked the gutter, making it difficult to drain. After a major storm, the gutter was visibly damaged.
• The overflowing gutter on the busy street sent a stream of filthy water across the sidewalk after heavy rain. He swerved to avoid hitting the gutter. The child was playing close to the gutter, and was told to move away for his own safety. A local community cleaned the gutter system in their neighbourhood to prevent flooding and improve aesthetics.
• The journalist was accused of sensationalizing the story to drag down a respectable politician into the gutter. She refused to sink to the gutter, maintaining her integrity despite the personal attacks. The gossip column trafficked in the gutter of public life, spreading rumors and scandal. The character's descent into the gutter was a symbol of his moral decay.
• The book's gutter was too narrow, making it difficult to read the text near the spine. The designer had to adjust the gutter to ensure that the illustrations were not lost in the binding. Careful attention must be paid to the gutter in order to align the text on the page. The book's pages were expertly laid out, taking into consideration the gutter and binding for easy reading.