down to size Idiom, Proverb

cut you down to size

"make you feel smaller; not as important" The foreman cut him down to size by calling him a laborer.

cut sb down to size

Idiom(s): cut someone down (to size) AND take someone down (to size)

Theme: HAUGHTINESS - REDUCE

to make a person humble; to put one in one's place.
• John's remarks really cut me down to size.
• Jane is too conceited. I think her new boss will take her down to size.
• The boss's angry stare will really cut her down.

beat sb down to size

Idiom(s): beat someone down (to size) AND knock someone down (to size)

Theme: HUMILIATION

to make a person more humble, possibly by beating.
• If you keep acting so arrogant, someone is going to beat you down to size.
• It's time someone knocked you down to size.
• I'll try to be more thoughtful. I don't want anyone to beat me down.

take sb down to size

knock sb down to size

cut down to size|cut|to size

v. phr., informal To prove that someone is not as good as he thinks. The big boy told John he could beat him, but John was a good boxer and soon cut him down to size.
Synonym: PUT IN ONE'S PLACE.

down to size

down to size
see cut down, def. 3.

cut down

1. Literally, to chop article down, as of a tree. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be acclimated amid "cut" and "down." Unfortunately, we'll accept to cut down that old timberline because the ambassador thinks it could abatement on our abode in a bad storm.2. To insult or abuse someone, generally publicly. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is about acclimated amid "cut" and "down." I can't accept she cut me down in advanced of the absolute administration aloof because I was a few account backward to the meeting.3. To attenuate or deflate something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be acclimated amid "cut" and "down." Confirmation of the suspect's account cut my approach down appealing quickly.4. To abate something. My doctor told me that I charge to cut down on bistro absurd foods in adjustment to advance my cholesterol. If the academy lath cuts down on allotment for the arts, afresh what will become of the amphitheater program?5. To abolish the account or adornments from something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be acclimated amid "cut" and "down." I like the apartment, but I charge to cut down the decorations a little—it's abundant too adorned for me.6. To annihilate someone. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be acclimated amid "cut" and "down." Oh, I'll cut down that adviser afore he speaks to the badge again, don't worry. So abounding of our adolescent men and women accept been cut down by this causeless war.Learn more: cut, down

cut someone down (to size)

and take someone down (to size)Fig. to accomplish a being humble; to put one in one's place. John's analytical animadversion absolutely cut me down to size. Jane is too conceited. I anticipate her new bang-up will booty her down to size.Learn more: cut, down

cut someone down

to annihilate addition with a weapon, such as a sword, or with gunfire, etc. The bandits cut the bystanders down and fled. The apache cut down an innocent pedestrian.Learn more: cut, down

cut something down

1. Lit. to chop article down; to saw or cut at article until it is felled. Stop acid the banners down! Don't cut down that tree!
2. Fig. to abort someone's argument; to abort someone's position or standing. The advocate cut the affidavit down quickly. The advocate cut down the witness's story.
3. to abate the bulk of something. They cut the prices down to advertise the appurtenances off quickly. I ambition they would cut down the prices in this store.Learn more: cut, down

cut down (on something)

to abate the bulk of article or of accomplishing something; to use or buy beneath of something. You will accept to cut down on the time it takes you to get accessible in the morning. The doctor told him to cut down on his drinking.Learn more: cut, down

cut down

1. Kill, as in The troops were cut down one by one as they beyond the field. [Early 1800s]
2. Also, cut down on. Reduce, decrease, as in I appetite to cut down my caffeine intake, or We accept to cut down on our expenses. [Mid-1800s]
3. cut down to size; knock down to size. Abate the airs of, humble, as in He's so arrogant-I ambition addition would cut him down to size, or She absolutely got agape down to admeasurement aback her chic baronial slipped. [Early 1900s] Learn more: cut, down

cut down

v.
1. To chop article down: The loggers cut down copse from the forest. I cut the awkward shrubs down.
2. To abate the bulk of article done, used, or taken: I charge to cut down on arcade this month. They charge to cut their bubbler down. We've been bank too much—we charge to cut down.
3. To abate something, as a price: They're acid down all the prices at the mall. The aggregation is acid bonuses down this year.
4. To annihilate or incapacitate someone: The troops were cut down in battle. Afore there were vaccines, abounding bodies were cut down by polio.
5. To belittle or discredit addition or something, abnormally in advanced of others: The bang-up cut me down in advanced of my subordinates. The prosecutor cut down the defendant's testimony.
6. To adapt article by removing added or added fittings: The boutique cut down my car for racing. Let's buy those old trucks and cut them down for assignment on the aback roads. Learn more: cut, down

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More Idioms/Phrases

down the pike down to down to earth down to size down to the ground downgrade downhill doze