bringdown
1. A cause of sadness or melancholy. Getting dumped by my boyfriend was a real bringdown. Geez, that documentary about the environment was a bringdown, huh? A: "That was a real bringdown, wasn't it?" B: "Well, yeah, but it was a funeral—what did you expect?"
2. A disappointment. I thought our movie was going to be a great success, but the box office numbers for opening weekend were a real bringdown. We were hoping for justice, so the outcome in court was a total bringdown. Yeah, not getting tickets to the game after my aunt promised them to us was a bringdown.
buydown
A prepayment on a loan to lower future monthly payments, often temporarily. The amount we would have had to pay monthly on our mortgage was higher than we wanted, so we paid more up front and did a buydown that way. Unfortunately, I couldn't do a buydown on my car loan because I didn't have enough money for a large down payment. Sure, you can do a buydown, but only if you have the cash for it, pal.
come down
1. verb Literally, to descend from a higher point to a lower one. This usage is commonly used to describe precipitation. Come down and look at this flood in the basement! The rain was coming down so hard this morning that I got soaked. All of this snow came down overnight? Yikes.
2. verb To decrease. I hope house prices in this neighborhood come down so that we can actually afford one. Thankfully, we'll get a reprieve this weekend when the scorching hot temperatures come down a bit. Acetaminophen should make her fever come down—have you tried that?
3. verb To be bequeathed or passed down through a line of inheritance. Oh, that antique vase came down to me from my grandmother. A: "Why, that's a lovely pearl necklace!" B: "Thank you, it came down to me from my great-aunt." Man, I'll be lucky to get much of anything from my parents when they die, and that guy has a genuine Picasso come down to him!
4. verb To originate with or be announced or decreed by a higher authority. I'm not happy about this decision either, but it came down from the CEO, so we have to abide by it. We can't begin the evacuation until word comes down from the police chief. Unfortunately there's not much we can do until a decision comes down from the board of trustees.
5. verb To scold or reprimand one harshly. In this usage, "down" is typically followed by "on." It was a mistake, so don't come down on him too hard, OK? I know I didn't do well on the exam, but I didn't expect my dad to come down so hard on me about it—he grounded me for a month! Man, the boss is gonna really come down on us when he finds out we lost that big account.
6. verb To lose one's wealth or social status. In the early 20th century, a respected woman in high society came down dramatically if she got divorced. Mr. Pemberton's business has gone bankrupt? My, he's certainly come down in the world then. I don't care if my social status comes down—I'd rather marry a pauper for love than marry a prince for money.
7. verb To become ill. In this usage, "down" is typically followed by "with" and the particular illness. I didn't do much this weekend because I came down with a cold. Our goalie came down with the flu and missed the game. I think I'm coming down with something. I feel very weak and feverish.
8. verb To be dependent on something else. In this usage, the phrase is typically followed with "to." I can't make a decision about this job until I get a salary offer—my decision really comes down to that. The very future of our company comes down to the ramifications of this legislation. Unfortunately, our playoff hopes come down to how that other team does. If they win their last game, then we're out.
9. verb, slang To become sober again after using drugs or alcohol. He's starting to come down from whatever he took. She better come down from this stuff quick because Mom and Dad are on their way home! You didn't drink that much, so you'll come down soon. Hey, you can even eat something to soak up the alcohol.
10. verb, slang To happen. Hey fellas, what's coming down tonight? You can come over here and hang out if you want, but I don't think much is coming down. I don't know what's coming down today because Mom won't share the itinerary with anyone.
11. noun A disappointment or failure. In this usage, the phrase is typically written as one word. Not getting into my dream school was a real comedown. I thought our movie was going to be a great success, but the box office numbers for opening weekend were a real comedown. Yeah, not getting tickets to the game after my aunt promised them to us was a comedown.
down
1. verb To eat or drink something very quickly. Wow, you guys really downed that dish—I guess you liked it! I had to down my coffee to get to the bus stop on time. The child was so hungry that he downed down the whole plate of food in a matter of minutes.
2. verb To throw or shove someone to the ground. Well, that was a quick wrestling match—Adam downed his opponent in no time at all. As soon as I refused to give up my lunch money, the bully downed me. Luckily, a teacher saw Billy down Nick and came running to break up the fight.
3. noun In American football, one of four chances to advance a minimum of 10 yards. If the team in possession of the ball does not advance 10 yards in these four attempts, then they yield the ball to their opponent. On a miraculous play, they scored a touchdown on fourth down. Do you think they'll kick the ball if they haven't made much progress by fourth down? What play do you want to try on third down?
4. adjective Sad or depressed. Sorry, I'm a little down—I had a really bad day. A: "You seemed kind of down, so I got you a treat from the vending machine." B: "Aww, that's so nice of you!" Johnny's still down about that misplay he had in the outfield yesterday.
5. adjective Not functioning, as of a machine or system. The computer system will be down this weekend for some routine maintenance. No, the washing machine cannot be down, not when I have three sick kids at home! Well, if the phone system is down, you'll have to go to Carrie's office and ask her this in person.
6. adjective Finished or completed. All right, one room down, two to go before our painting is done. A: "How many tests have you graded so far?" B: "Twelve down, three to go." A: "Woo, six word problems down!" B: "That's great! How many do you have left?" A: "Thirteen." B: "Oh."
7. adjective At a deficit; behind in the score. We're only down by one, so we have plenty of time to make a comeback in the third period. Wow, bottom of the second and we're already down by seven? Yeesh. I pulled the goalie that early because we were down by two, and I thought that gave us our best chance to tie it up.
8. adjective Committed to memory. I still don't have the quadratic equation down—can you remind me what it is? A: "You had all those definitions down, though." B: "I know, and I totally blanked when I sat down to take the test!" If you have all the noble gases down, then tell me what they are.
down tools
To refuse to work, usually in an attempt to force improvement in one's working conditions. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. Sir, I'm afraid the workers will down tools if we don't offer them a better contract. If management doesn't take our salary requirements seriously, then we'll just have to down tools! Everyone at the work site has downed tools in an effort to secure better working conditions.
first down
American football
1. The first of four chances to advance a minimum of 10 yards. Where are we lining up for first down? The 40-yard line? Well, that first down attempt was a bust, so they're now at second and eight. The Bears scored a touchdown, so now it's first down for the Browns.
2. The term used when the offensive team gains at least 10 yards, as that gives them a new set of four downs. Miller's run just netted them 20 yards, giving his team a much-needed first down. What is wrong with this offense? All of a sudden, they can't even get a first down! Since it didn't look like they'd get a first down, the team opted for a punt return instead.
hand-me-down
A second-hand (not new) item, usually a piece of clothing, that is passed down for continued use, often from an older sibling to a younger one. Maria was tired of getting her older sister's hand-me-downs and looked forward to being able to buy her own clothes. Even though I'm an only child, I still got stuck wearing hand-me-downs from my cousins! Being the youngest is the worst. I have three older sisters, and I only get their hand-me-downs.
have a down on (someone or something)
To have or express negative or overly critical feelings toward someone or something. I don't know why you have a down on Robert—he's such a nice guy to everyone! Don't have a down on this vacation to your grandparents' farm. I know it's not very exotic, but we'll still have a great time! A: "No matter who I date, my parents always have a down on them, it seems." B: "Well, no one will ever be good enough for their little girl."
lock down
In each usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "lock" and "down."
1. To secure something in place. Please tell me you locked down the surfboards and that that loud thud wasn't them falling off the roof of the car. We need to lock the timber down so that it doesn't get blown away in the storm.
2. To secure something so that others cannot access or alter it. That's it, I'm locking down my Netflix account. Your bizarre taste is totally messing with my suggestions! I suggest locking your computer down with a very strong password.
3. To require someone to stay in some place for a certain period of time, typically until the risk of something has been removed or alleviated. The police are keeping us locked down in our homes until the armed criminal in our neighborhood has been caught. Local officials locked us down while they investigated the small plane crash a few blocks away. Lock down all the inmates while we find out what tripped the alarm.
4. To confirm and set something, as to avoid future changes or renegotiations. Ten million dollars is definitely an amount we can accept. Now we just need to lock down this settlement before they change their minds.
5. To assert control of a situation so that one's competition is not able to regain an advantage. Used especially in reference to sports. The football team's offense has secured a 21–14 lead. Now their defense just needs to lock it down.
6. slang To marry someone. Bridget's gorgeous, funny, smart—a total catch. You better lock that girl down now while you have the chance!
lockdown
1. An emergency restriction of the movement of people inside a particular building or area because of some current or imminent threat. The entire 40-story building has been on lockdown while federal agents deal with the hostage crisis. The prison lockdown lasted for nearly 48 hours while the guards attempted to suppress the riot and regain control.
2. A requirement to remain in one's home and not travel freely for a certain period of time as a means of preventing the spread of a dangerous disease. Lockdowns became commonplace all over the world during the COVID-19 pandemic. The entire region was put on strict lockdown in order to contain an outbreak of Ebola.
mark down
1. verb To record or make a note of something, typically by making a mark of some kind with a writing utensil or digitally. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "mark" and "down." Did you mark down my score for that last round? Sure, mark me down for a $20 donation.
2. verb To reduce the price of something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "mark" and "down." Would you be willing to mark it down a little? I'm trying to stick to a budget. Those bananas have all been marked down because they're starting to turn brown.
3. verb To subtract points from an overall score due to an incorrect answer, poor performance, etc. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "mark" and "down." The gymnast is definitely going to see her score marked down for several small infractions. I would have had a perfect score, but the teacher marked it down for a few spelling mistakes.
4. noun A discount, or a discounted item. In this usage, the phrase is usually hyphenated or written as one word. I always go to the sale rack in the back to take a look at the markdowns. Do they ever offer any mark-downs, or are their prices always the same?
put down
1. verb Literally, to place someone or something down on or into something. (In usages 1–12, a noun or pronoun can be used between "put" and "down.") You can put down those groceries on the table, thanks. I put the baby down in her playpen and then went to answer the phone.
2. verb To insult, mock, belittle, or disparage one. The boss is always putting me down in front of everyone in the office. It's really making my life miserable. Tommy, don't put your brother down like that—if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything.
3. verb To kill one. The marshal told the fugitive that he would put him down if he reached for his gun.
4. verb To euthanize an animal. We knew our poor dog was suffering, so we decided it was time to put her down.
5. verb To write something down. I know he put his phone number down somewhere. Let's put down some of these ideas on the whiteboard while we're brainstorming.
6. verb To assign someone a particular task or thing. No, no, I put Holly down to bring in napkins. You were supposed to pick up the cupcakes!
7. verb To note one's commitment to do, give, or receive something. Oh, I'd be happy to donate! Please put me down for $20. A: "When do you guys want to work at the fair?" B: "Put us down for the four o'clock shift."
8. verb To pay some partial amount of money for an item that one will fully pay for over time or at a later time. How quickly you pay off the loan depends on much can you put down each month? I'll hold it for you if you can put $500 down right now.
9. verb To deem something to be the cause of something else. We put David's erratic behavior down to sleep deprivation.
10. verb To quash, eliminate, or put an end to something, especially through force or violence. They sent thousands of soldiers to put down the upstart rebellion. Everyone believes the company hired armed thugs to come put the employee strike down by force.
11. verb To put a young child in a particular place (such as a bed or crib) so they can sleep. The baby's getting cranky—it's time to put her down for her nap. Tom is upstairs putting down the kids for the night.
12. verb To land an aircraft. The pilot sure put the plane down smoothly. I'm just looking for a good place to put down the hot-air balloon.
13. verb Of an aircraft or its pilot, to land. When are we supposed to put down in Chicago?
14. verb To stop engaging with some piece of media or technology that requires the use of one's hands. I really wish you would put the video games down and go outside for a while. The book was so thrilling that I just couldn't put it down. We have a hard time getting our kids to put down their phones.
15. verb To allow someone to disembark from a vehicle. You can put me down at the front gate. I don't mind walking the rest of the way to the manor. The shuttle put down its passengers at the airport.
16. verb To reduce the cost of something. The government has been offering subsidies to put down the price of grain for farmers, millers, and bakers. The tech company has really focused on putting the cost down for their newest product to make it affordable to a wider range of consumers.
17. noun A mocking, insulting, and disparaging comment or remark. The phrase is usually hyphenated when used as a noun. Enough with the put-downs, Tommy—if you don't have anything nice to say about your brother's performance, don't say anything at all. All the little put-downs my boss makes have worn my self-confidence away to nothing.
put-down
A mocking, insulting, and disparaging comment or remark. Enough with the put-downs, Tommy—if you don't have anything nice to say about your brother's performance, don't say anything at all. All the little put-downs my boss makes have worn my self-confidence away to nothing.
shake down
1. verb To blackmail someone for money; to extort someone. A noun or pronoun is often used between "shake" and "down." The assistant has been shaking the governor down ever since he found out that she'd been taking bribes.
2. verb By extension, to ask, pressure, or force someone to pay a sum of money, often an exorbitant or unfair amount. A noun or pronoun is often used between "shake" and "down." I think it's criminal that the IRS gets to shake you down for so much of your hard-earned cash each year. Her private school offers the best education in the state, but they don't hesitate to shake us down for the privilege. Before you know it, the kids will be driving their own cars and shaking you down for money on the weekends.
3. verb To become acclimated, organized, or established (in something or some place new). So, how's your first week in the office been? You shaking down all right? It took us a few weeks to shake down after the move, but we're feeling right at home now.
4. verb To search someone or something thoroughly, especially for weaponry or prohibited substances. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "shake" and "down." The bouncer is shaking down everyone to make sure no one smuggles booze or drugs into the concert. The officer shook me down even though I told him I didn't have a gun on me.
5. noun An instance of blackmail for money or extorsion. As a noun, the phrase is usually written as one word. The FBI captured the shakedown on video and was able to use it at the trial.
6. noun By extension, an instance of asking, pressuring, or forcing someone to pay a sum of money, often an exorbitant or unfair amount. As a noun, the phrase is usually written as one word. It's time for the annual shakedown by the IRS again. Every time I turn around, there's another shakedown at the office for some charity or fundraiser or whatever.
shut down
1. verb To cease business operations for any length of time (often permanently). I loved that restaurant, so I'm very disappointed that it shut down. That shop always shuts down for two weeks in the summer to accommodate the owner's vacation.
2. verb To force a business to cease operations. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is often used between "shut" and "down." After a thorough investigation, the police were finally able to shut the shop down for money laundering.
3. verb To turn off a computer or other machine. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is often used between "shut" and "down." Everyone, be sure to shut down your computers before you leave the office today. Mom sent me to shut down the dryer because it was too noisy.
4. verb To reject, strongly discourage, or prevent one from continuing with one's course of action. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is often used between "shut" and "down." Man, I tried to talk to that pretty girl, and she totally shut me down! The judge shut down that line of questioning right quick. This tenacious defense has completely shut down the defending champions.
5. verb To not engage with or articulate one's emotions; to become numb to one's emotions. He's absolutely terrified of getting hurt—that's why he's shutting down on you. Please don't shut down. Tell me what you're feeling.
6. noun A period during which operations cease (usually temporarily). In this usage, the phrase is often written as one word. Congress was able to reach a compromise to avoid a government shutdown.
7. noun A state of emotional numbness or detachment. The phrase is often written as one word when used as a noun. Because he's absolutely terrified of getting hurt, he's gone into emotional shutdown.
take down
1. verb To move someone or something down from a higher position to a lower one. A noun or pronoun can be used between "take" and "down." Take your sister down from the table this instant! He took down the bottle and poured a glass for everyone at the table.
2. verb To dismantle or disassemble a large object or structure. A noun or pronoun can be used between "take" and "down." After the concert, we'll need everyone on hand to help take down the set. They're taking the statue down today.
3. verb To ruin, sabotage, or destroy someone or something or their chances for success. A noun or pronoun can be used between "take" and "down." A number of organizations have been trying to take the senator down for his ties to the gun lobby. The advertisement was supposed to take down the company's competitors, but it backfired and ended up hurting their own sales.
4. noun An attempt to ruin, sabotage, or destroy someone or something or their chances for success. As a noun, the phrase is usually hyphenated. The ad campaign was intended to be a take-down of the tobacco industry.
5. noun A highly negative critique of someone or something that is particularly thorough and effective. As a noun, the phrase is usually hyphenated. The late night host's take-down of the candidate's debate performance was more thorough than some of the serious political shows.
ups and downs
Positive and negative events or experiences, considered collectively. Oh, we’ve had our share of ups and downs, like any married couple. This company is no stranger to the ups and downs of the market, which is why our strategy has always focused on reliable, long-term growth.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
come down
1. Lose wealth or position, as in After the market crashed, the Tates really came down in the world. A 1382 translation of the Bible by followers of John Wycliffe had this term: "Come down from glory, sit in thirst" (Jeremiah 48:18).
2. Become reduced in size or amount, be lowered, as in Interest rates will have to come down before the economy recovers. [Mid-1600s]
3. Be handed down by inheritance, tradition, or a higher authority. For example, This painting has come down to us from our great-grandparents, or These stories have come down through the generations, or An indictment finally came down. [c. 1400]
4. Also, go down. Happen, occur, as in What's coming down tonight? [Slang; 1960s]
mark down
Reduce the price of something, as in If they mark down these shoes, I'll buy two pairs. The mark here alludes to the label indicating a price. [Mid-1800s]
put down
1. Write down; also, enter in a list. For example, Please put down my name for a free ticket, or Put me down as a subscriber. [Second half of 1500s]
2. Bring to an end, repress, as in They managed to put down the rebellion in a single day, or We've got to put down these rumors about a takeover. [c. 1300]
3. Kill a sick animal, as in
The vet said the dog must be put down. [Mid-1500s] Also see
put away, def. 5.
4. Belittle, disparage, criticize, as in
Her husband was always putting her down. [c. 1400] Also see
run down, def. 6.
5. Ascribe, attribute, as in We put her poor performance down to stage fright. [Late 1700s]
6. Regard, classify, as in We put her down as a hypochondriac. [Mid-1800s]
7. Pay a deposit, as in We put down $2,000 for the car.
8. Store for future use, as in David put down ten cases of this year's Chablis. [Mid-1800s]
9. Land in an aircraft; also, land an aircraft, as in What time will we put down at Heathrow? or She put the plane down exactly on the runway. [c. 1930]
10. Put a child to bed, as in The sitter said she'd put Brian down at 8:30. [Second half of 1900s]
shake down
1. Extort money from, as in They had quite a racket, shaking down merchants for so-called protection. [Slang; second half of 1800s]
2. Make a thorough search of, as in They shook down all the passengers, looking for drugs. [Slang early 1900s]
3. Subject a new vehicle or machine to a tryout, as in We'll shake down the new model next week.
4. Become acclimated or accustomed, to a new place, job, or the like, as in Is this your first job? You'll soon shake down. [Mid-1800s]
shut down
2. Stop or switch off machinery, as in They shut down all the machines for one week a year. [Late 1800s]
take down
1. Bring from a higher position to a lower one, as in After the sale they took down all the signs. [c. 1300]
2. Take apart, dismantle, as in They took down the scaffolding. [Mid-1500s]
4. Record in writing, as in Please take down all these price quotations. [Early 1700s]
ups and downs
Good times and bad times, successes and failures, as in We've had our ups and downs but things are going fairly well now. This term was first recorded in 1659.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.