Cut somebody down to size
verb phrase
To make someone realize they are not as important or intelligent as they thought.
He was bragging about his achievements, so I had to cut him down to size
Often appears as...
- cut him down to size
- cut her down to size
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
verb phrase
To make someone realize they are not as important or intelligent as they thought.
He was bragging about his achievements, so I had to cut him down to size
Often appears as...
- cut him down to size
- cut her down to size
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Confrontational Tone
Using this phrase can be seen as confrontational as it implies criticizing someone's arrogance or attitude.
During the meeting, Jenna cut him down to size for his dismissive comments.
Pro Tip 2/3Informal Context
It's typically used in informal situations among peers or familiar individuals, rather than formal settings.
At the family reunion, my cousin cut me down to size when I boasted about my job excessively.
Pro Tip 3/3Use Sparingly
Overusing the phrase in conversation can make you appear rude or abrasive.
After the third time she cut her brother down to size, the rest of the family began to see her as antagonistic.
Pro Tip 1/3Confrontational Tone
Using this phrase can be seen as confrontational as it implies criticizing someone's arrogance or attitude.
During the meeting, Jenna cut him down to size for his dismissive comments.
Pro Tip 2/3Informal Context
It's typically used in informal situations among peers or familiar individuals, rather than formal settings.
At the family reunion, my cousin cut me down to size when I boasted about my job excessively.
Pro Tip 3/3Use Sparingly
Overusing the phrase in conversation can make you appear rude or abrasive.
After the third time she cut her brother down to size, the rest of the family began to see her as antagonistic.
Pro Tip 1/3Confrontational Tone
Using this phrase can be seen as confrontational as it implies criticizing someone's arrogance or attitude.
During the meeting, Jenna cut him down to size for his dismissive comments.
Pro Tip 2/3Informal Context
It's typically used in informal situations among peers or familiar individuals, rather than formal settings.
At the family reunion, my cousin cut me down to size when I boasted about my job excessively.
Pro Tip 3/3Use Sparingly
Overusing the phrase in conversation can make you appear rude or abrasive.
After the third time she cut her brother down to size, the rest of the family began to see her as antagonistic.
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