a put-down
a comment intended to make someone look foolish
STATISTICS
IN THE PRESS
Joan Rivers, a pioneer for women in stand-up comedy, was known for her quick wit, cosmetic surgeries and classic PUT-DOWNS.
(Reuters news service)
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PUT-DOWNS are a regular part of the heat of competition, whether you're a fan in the stands or a player in the game.
(Slate magazine)
(Reuters news service)
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PUT-DOWNS are a regular part of the heat of competition, whether you're a fan in the stands or a player in the game.
(Slate magazine)
Did you
know?
put-down
noun phrase
- a critical, disparaging or humiliating remark
(American Heritage Dictionary)
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The noun "put-down" stems from the verbal phrase "put down," which uses put in the sense of "moving something or someone into a place, position or direction" and down as in "a lower position." Although the expression appears to be centuries old, it first gained popularity in the counter-culture era of the 1960s.
Put is found in so many different verbal phrases, we could not possibly list them all here. But below are a few examples that will help you enhance your everyday conversations:
- put off = delay (We have to put off the party until next week)
- put back = return (When she realized how expensive the shoes were, she put them back)
- put behind = to try to forget something (He put the past behind and moved on with his life)
- put out = produce (The company is putting out a lot of new products)
- put up with = tolerate, ignore (She doesn't put up with nonsense from anyone)
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SYNONYMS
aspersion, character assassination, cheap shot, cut, dig, jibe, insult, invective, slam, slap, slight, snub, zinger
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SMUGGLE OWAD into today's conversation
"Politically incorrect language and put-downs are unacceptable in our company."
noun phrase
- a critical, disparaging or humiliating remark
(American Heritage Dictionary)
---
The noun "put-down" stems from the verbal phrase "put down," which uses put in the sense of "moving something or someone into a place, position or direction" and down as in "a lower position." Although the expression appears to be centuries old, it first gained popularity in the counter-culture era of the 1960s.
Put is found in so many different verbal phrases, we could not possibly list them all here. But below are a few examples that will help you enhance your everyday conversations:
- put off = delay (We have to put off the party until next week)
- put back = return (When she realized how expensive the shoes were, she put them back)
- put behind = to try to forget something (He put the past behind and moved on with his life)
- put out = produce (The company is putting out a lot of new products)
- put up with = tolerate, ignore (She doesn't put up with nonsense from anyone)
---
SYNONYMS
aspersion, character assassination, cheap shot, cut, dig, jibe, insult, invective, slam, slap, slight, snub, zinger
---
SMUGGLE OWAD into today's conversation
"Politically incorrect language and put-downs are unacceptable in our company."
