do a number on something

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!

See also: number, on

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

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).

See also: number, on, somebody, something

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.

See also: number, on, something

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.