Take (someone) down a peg (or two) In english explanation

The meaning, explanation, definition and origin of the idiom/phrase "take (someone) down a peg (or two)", English Idiom Dictionary ( also found in Vietnamese )

Evelyn Nguyen

2021-01-08 04:01

Meaning of Take (someone) down a peg (or two)

Synonyms:

bring someone down a peg or two , take someone down a notch (or two) , knock someone down a peg (or two) , knock someone down a notch (or two)

Take (someone) down a peg (or two) verb phrase

"Take" can be replaced by "bring".

To humiliate someone, or show someone that they are not as important as they think

It's about time that we took/brought Luna down a peg. She is very arrogant!

He was so rude that we need someone to take/bring him down a peg or two.

Anna always boasts about her wealth. I feel sick of hearing her voice; I really want to take/bring her down a peg or two.

Kevin is a bully. We need someone to take/bring him down a peg.

Other phrases about:

be brought down a notch (or two)

If one is brought down a notch (or two), they are reduced their pride or ego.

rub someone's nose in the dirt

To keep reminding someone of their failure or mistake.

bring (one) low

To make one become realistic, especially for one often makes a boast

pull (someone) down a peg (or two)

To bring someone down, to put someone in their place, to shame them.

knock (someone) down a notch (or two)

To humble one; to damage someone's ego or pride

Grammar and Usage of Take (someone) down a peg (or two)

Verb Forms

take someone down a peg or two
takes someone down a peg or two
took someone down a peg or two
will take someone down a peg or two

The verb "take" should be conjugated according to its tense.

Origin of Take (someone) down a peg (or two)

Knot hook rope peg line cord hawser lanyard schooner boat ship yacht Stock Photo - Alamy — A ship's pegs
(Source: Internet)

This idiom may date from the 18th century by the British navy. A ship's flags were raised or lowered by a system of pegs. If the flag was raised to the highest peg, it alluded that it was a very important ship. By contrast, when the flag was tied on a lower peg, it implied that it had a less great honor. So when you take someone down a peg (or two), you are reducing or humiliating their ego or pride.