the gutter [sing.] the bad social conditions or low moral standards sometimes connected with the lowest level of society 恶劣的社会环境；（社会最低阶层的）道德沦落
She rose from the gutter to become a great star.
她从贫民区一跃而成为大明星。
the language of the gutter (= using swear words)
粗鄙的语言
[I] (literary) (of a flame or candle 火焰或蜡烛) to burn in an unsteady way 忽明忽暗；摇曳不定