do a number on (someone or something)
1. To hurt or harm someone or something. Considering her pessimism toward marriage, her last break-up must have really done a number on her. Ugh, your puppy did a number on my new shoes—they're completely chewed up! I guess I really did a number on my computer because IT couldn't even fix it.
2. To urinate or defecate on something. My cat used to always use her litter box, but she regularly does a number on the floor, unfortunately. Roll up the rugs so the kids don't do a number on them while you're potty training. Looks—and smells—like somebody did a job on his dog bed. Guess I'm cleaning that up!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
do a number on someone or something
Sl. to damage or harm someone or something. The teacher did a number on the whole class by giving them a pop quiz. Tom did a number on Mary when he went out with Ann.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
do a number on
treat someone badly, typically by deceiving, humiliating, or criticizing them in a calculated and thorough way. North American informalFarlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
do a ˈnumber on somebody/something
(informal, especially American English) hurt, damage or criticize somebody/something seriously: Sun and pollution can really do a number on your skin. ♢ To the delight of Republicans, the press did a number on your senator (= criticized him severely).Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
do a number on something
1. tv. to urinate or defecate on something. Billy did a number on the bathroom floor.
2. tv. to damage or ruin something; to destroy something. The truck really did a number on my car.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
do a number on
Slang To defeat, abuse, or humiliate in a calculated and thorough way.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.