the doldrums
noun [ plural ] uk/ˈdɒl.drəmz/ us/ˈdoʊl.drəmz/
in the doldrums informal不顺利的；停滞的，没有进展的
unsuccessful or showing no activity or development
Her career was in the doldrums during those years. 那些年她的事业一直没有什么起色。
(SEA)
old-fashioned赤道无风带
an area of sea where ships are unable to move because there is no wind