do down: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘do down’ mean?
The idiom "do down" means to criticize or speak negatively about someone or something.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "ride down" means to criticize, demoralize, or defeat someone or something relentlessly or continuously, often through stubborn persistence.
The idiom "knock down a peg" means to humble or deflate someone's ego or pride. It is used when someone's self-importance or arrogance needs to be brought down to a more reasonable level.
The idiom "knock down" means to forcefully bring someone or something to the ground. It can also refer to reducing the price or value of something significantly.
The idiom "jump down someone's throat" means to angrily and aggressively criticize or confront someone about something they have said or done.
The idiom "hit someone when they are down" means to take advantage of or attack someone when they are already in a vulnerable or weakened state.
The idiom "go down the wrong way" means to do or say something that is inappropriate, offensive or causes discomfort to others.
The idiom "go down the toilet" means to fail completely or be wasted, often used to describe a situation, plan, or investment that has gone wrong or lost its value.
The idiom "go down the pan" means to fail or deteriorate significantly.
The idiom "go down that road" means to proceed or pursue a particular course of action, especially one that has been tried before and has had negative consequences.
Incredible Origins
The idiom "do down" is commonly used in the English language and has a variety of meanings. This British slang term means to belittle or criticize someone or something. It is often used to express a negative opinion or disapproval. The origin of this idiom is believed to have originated in the early 20th century.
One possible origin of the phrase is from the word "down" meaning to lower or decrease. The verb "do" is used to indicate an action or activity. Therefore, "do down" could be interpreted as the act of lowering or diminishing the value or worth of someone or something.
This idiom can also be used to mean to mistreat or treat someone unfairly. It is often used in situations where someone is being taken advantage of or being treated poorly. It can also be used to describe someone who is being undermined or sabotaged in some way.
Another meaning of "do down" is to do something successfully or effectively. It can be used to describe someone who performs well or accomplishes a task in a satisfactory manner. In this sense, it is often used to express approval or praise.
The idiom "do down" is related to the idiom "cry down". "Cry down" means to publicly express disapproval or criticize something or someone. It is similar to "do down" in that it involves negative opinions or expressions of disapproval. However, "cry down" is often used in a more vocal or public manner.
Another related idiom is "ride down". "Ride down" means to defeat or overpower someone or something. It can be used to describe a situation where someone is dominant or victorious over others. Although it may seem unrelated to "do down", both idioms involve the concept of one person or thing being superior or having power over another.
The idiom "do down" is a British slang term that means to belittle or criticize someone or something. It can also mean to mistreat or treat someone unfairly, or to do something successfully or effectively. The origins of this idiom are believed to be from early 20th century British slang. It is related to the idioms "cry down" and "ride down", which involve expressing disapproval or dominance over others. The idiom continues to be used in both British and American English today.
Example usage
Examples of the idiom "do down" used in a sentence:
1. She always tries to do down her colleagues to make herself look better.
2. The media is constantly doing down the government's efforts to address the economic crisis.
3. Don't let anyone do you down or make you feel inferior.
More "Verb" idioms
