deep down

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deep down

At the centermost point of one's feelings or convictions. Deep down inside, I knew that what I did was wrong. I tried to put on a brave face after the breakup, but deep down I was in agony. He acts like a jerk most of the time, but deep down I think Nate is a good guy.

See also: deep, down

deep down

At bottom, basically. For example, Deep down she was a rebel, or Although he would never admit it, deep down he was very fond of her. [c. 1900]

See also: deep, down

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.

deep ˈdown

(informal) in your most private thoughts; in reality rather than in appearance: She’s very generous deep down, but this only comes out when you get to know her. ♢ He seems very confident but deep down I think he’s quite shy.

See also: deep, down

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

deep

mod. intense; profound. She gave this really deep speech to us about how we should stay off drugs.

deep down

At bottom; basically: Deep down, she was still a rebel.

See also: deep, down

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.

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References in periodicals archive ?

Cuming's growth will need additional capital and resources which can be more easily provided via a public traded company such as Deep Down, Larry Parkinson, president of Cuming, added.

US Cuming Corp to be taken over by Deep Down for USD50m

Deep Down in My Soul Cookbook by the Office of Black Ministry Archdiocese of New York November 2003, $15.00

Swapping recipes: popular community cookbooks keep African American culinary traditions alive

"We know deep down below 7,000 feet there's mineralization down there and we're only at 4,500," says Whyte.

Exploration boom revives Kirkland Lake

We all like to moan about the unfairness of speed cameras but we also know deep down that, they are there to do us good.

Cameras accepted

"I think a lot of people, deep down, want to have it all: to be in the middle of everything, but at the same time have a refuge--in the middle of everything," said Mr.

Spring time

Feldman writes supports the argument for accountable vouchers that one "might think deep down she agrees with me.

Vouch for it

And, maybe deep down inside, I feel a little guilty for benefiting from that experience.

Letters to the Editor

If you think deep down she might have a valid point (maybe you did jump to a wrong conclusion or misjudge her), you might say, "Let me think about it, and let's talk again tomorrow when we've calmed down."

Poison pal control center: how to part ways with friends who are bad for you. (Friends)

And yet, in the spirit of "I'm rubber, you're glue," it's comforting to assume that the inventors of this cynical campaign knew deep down what the appellation "scum" rightly designated.

Smoke this. (BTW)

The truth is that even millions of Americans who support and vote for gun control own guns themselves, because deep down they share the basic human need to feel secure in their homes....

Quotable. (Exercising the Right)

But deep down we believe that no matter how good our players are, they just couldn't do it without our expert coaching.

A true test of character: being a winner in a losing situation! (Mental Training)

"Jim's happy, but I think that deep down, there's a little jealousy [among the other children]," reflects Horace.

A brother and a boss: heir apparent. (CEO Watch)

But deep down inside, in that place where I still fear to go, the little voice kept asking me questions: "What if others on the faculty knew that I really do not know what I am doing?" "Are my students really learning what I am teaching?

What a long, strange trip it's been: identity, integrity and the scholarship of teaching. (The scholarship of teaching and learning)

Until recently, it was impossible for me to admit, even deep down, how much I need both to be able to give love to someone else and to dare to receive it; how much I need to take the risk of stepping out on this fragile wind- and storm-tossed bridge, where the thin ropes could break and throw me into the void and the unknown.

Opening up to love

How many of us have attended--or purposely not attended--an awards ceremony for a colleague whose honor we secretly, deep down, felt we should be getting ourselves?