What does "run-down estates" mean? What does "run-down estates" mean? I cannot give you the precise context as this is an isolated phrase from a textbook. I've checked it on fraze.it and here are some examples. It seems to be a fixed expression but I cannot grasp the meaning. 1) Duncan Smith is the first minister to connect the disorder in London and other English cities with the problems of drugs, gangs and welfare dependency associated with some run-down estates. 2) Nurses and teachers didn't bring down Lehmans, and neither did a few unlucky and pathetic souls trapped on run down estates. 3)Let me just say that if people like this are willing to cause trouble, goodness only knows what will happen on the run down estates. Thank you for your help.