do a number on, to

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.

See also: number, on

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 informal

See also: number, on

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

do a number on

Slang

To defeat, abuse, or humiliate in a calculated and thorough way.

See also: number, on

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.

do a number on, to

To ruin, cheat, or trick someone. This slangy phrase dates from the late 1960s and originated in black English. For example, “That boss of yours really did a number on you; you’ll never get promoted.”

See also: number

The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer