be descended from (someone or something)
To be related a particular ancestor or bloodline. Is it true? Is she really descended from Benjamin Franklin? There's no way Marie is descended from Marie Antoinette—the only thing they have in common is their first name! I really am descended from Swedish royalty, I swear!
descend from (someone or something)
1. Literally, to move from a higher point to a lower one. The bride looked simply gorgeous as she descended from the balcony in her flowing gown. If our plane is descending from the sky already, we might make our connecting flight after all. You can always hear the stampede of kids as they descend from the third floor at the end of the school day.
2. To originate from a particular ancestor or source. I was shocked to learn that I descended from key figures in the American Revolution. Is it true? Patty really descended from Benjamin Franklin? Yeah, right, like you actually descended from Swedish royalty.
descend into (something)
To move down into something. The fireman descended into the sewers to save the kitten. The bride looked simply gorgeous as she descended into the ballroom in her flowing gown. You can always hear the stampede of kids as they descend into the gym for recess on rainy days.
descend on (something)
1. Literally, to drop onto someone or something. No one was too pleased when rain began to descend on our picnic. Bits of debris from the explosion descended on the town below. Mom knew we were having a pillow fight in the upstairs hallway when feathers began to descend on her.
2. By extension, to converge at a particular place or thing, often in great numbers. The kids descended on the birthday cake as soon as I set it down. People have descended on our town to attend that big software conference. Shoppers descended on our wares as soon as we opened the doors on Black Friday.
descend to (something)
1. Literally, to move from a higher point to a lower one. If our plane is descending to the runway already, we might make our connecting flight after all. The bride looked simply gorgeous as she descended to the ballroom in her flowing gown. You can always hear the stampede of kids as they descend to the gym for recess on rainy days.
2. To condescend to do something. Now that Billy's famous, I doubt he'll descend to call his own mother. Wow, you'll descend to help me with this? Gee, thanks. I'm a mail clerk now—why would I descend to do janitorial work anymore?
descend upon (something)
1. Literally, to drop onto someone or something. No one was too pleased when rain began to descend upon our picnic. Bits of debris from the explosion descended upon the town below. Mom knew we were having a pillow fight in the upstairs hallway when feathers began to descend upon her.
2. By extension, to converge at a particular place or thing, often in great numbers. The kids descended upon the birthday cake like locusts. Thousands of people descend upon the town each year to attend the video game conference. Shoppers descended upon our wares as soon as we opened the doors on Black Friday.
the red mist descends
To fall into a state of extreme anger, excitement, or competitive arousal, such as might cloud one's judgment or senses. Primarily heard in UK. Their striker isn't the most consistent player on the pitch, but once the red mist descends, you had better get out of his way. I'm not sure what happened. I was at the pub having a pint, and then someone insulted me, and I guess the red mist must have descended, because, the next thing I knew, I was being dragged away with bloodied knuckles.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
descend from someone
or some group [for a living creature] to come from a particular set of ancestors. I descend from a large family of Dutch traders. Wally is descended from Daniel Boone.
descend from something
to move down from something. The bird descended from the top of the tree to a lower branch. Take care when you descend from the ladder.
descend into something
to go down into something. The butler descended into the cellar for another bottle of wine. Fred descended into the canyon on an organized tour.
descend to something
1. . Lit. to go down to something. I must descend to the lower level to greet the guests. Gerald descended to the front door to see who was there.
2. Fig. to condescend to do something; to stoop to doing something; to lower oneself to do something bad. I refuse to descend to the performance of such menial duties. I will not descend to a life of crime.
descend (up)on someone or something
1. . Lit. [for something] to come down or fall upon someone or something. Flakes of fluffy snow descended upon the gentle slopes.
2. . Fig. [for people] to arrive or come to someone or something in great numbers. The petitioners descended upon the mayor's office in droves.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.