bring (one) down a peg (or two)

bring (one) down a peg (or two)

To reduce or damage one's ego or pride; to humble or humiliate one. I'm really glad that pompous oaf lost his court case, maybe that will bring him down a peg or two. It's about time that someone brought Sarah down a peg. Her snotty rich-kid arrogance is intolerable!

See also: bring, down, peg

ˌbring/ˌtake somebody ˈdown a peg (or two)

(informal) make somebody realize that they are not as good, important, etc. as they think they are: He didn’t win first prize after all. That’ll bring him down a peg or two. ♢ It’s time that somebody took that woman down a peg or two. She behaves as if she were the queen.

See also: bring, down, peg, somebody, take