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!
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.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 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).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.