Knock somebody off their pedestal/perch
phrase
The act of proving someone is not as perfect or amazing as they were thought to be.
The moment she actually started working with him, she realized he was just as capable of mistakes as everyone else and that served to knock him off his pedestal.
Often appears as...
- knock him off his pedestal
- knock her off her pedestal
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
phrase
The act of defeating or surpassing someone who is currently in a top position or high rank.
The upcoming match would define the number one spot. If John manages to beat Sam, he will knock him off his perch.
Often appears as...
- knock him off his perch
- knock her off her perch
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
phrase
The act of proving someone is not as perfect or amazing as they were thought to be.
The moment she actually started working with him, she realized he was just as capable of mistakes as everyone else and that served to knock him off his pedestal.
Often appears as...
- knock him off his pedestal
- knock her off her pedestal
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
phrase
The act of defeating or surpassing someone who is currently in a top position or high rank.
The upcoming match would define the number one spot. If John manages to beat Sam, he will knock him off his perch.
Often appears as...
- knock him off his perch
- knock her off her perch
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Ideal Image Shattered
Use when someone idolized is seen as flawed or ordinary, shattering the perfect image.
The scandal really knocked the mayor off her pedestal in the eyes of the public.
Pro Tip 2/3Figurative Fall
The phrase is figurative; no one's physically on a pedestal or falling from it.
The champion swimmer was knocked off his pedestal when he lost the race.
Pro Tip 3/3Emotional Impact
It often expresses a mix of disappointment and realization.
After the interview, people saw the flaws and knocked him off his pedestal.
Pro Tip 1/3Ideal Image Shattered
Use when someone idolized is seen as flawed or ordinary, shattering the perfect image.
The scandal really knocked the mayor off her pedestal in the eyes of the public.
Pro Tip 2/3Figurative Fall
The phrase is figurative; no one's physically on a pedestal or falling from it.
The champion swimmer was knocked off his pedestal when he lost the race.
Pro Tip 3/3Emotional Impact
It often expresses a mix of disappointment and realization.
After the interview, people saw the flaws and knocked him off his pedestal.
Pro Tip 1/3Ideal Image Shattered
Use when someone idolized is seen as flawed or ordinary, shattering the perfect image.
The scandal really knocked the mayor off her pedestal in the eyes of the public.
Pro Tip 2/3Figurative Fall
The phrase is figurative; no one's physically on a pedestal or falling from it.
The champion swimmer was knocked off his pedestal when he lost the race.
Pro Tip 3/3Emotional Impact
It often expresses a mix of disappointment and realization.
After the interview, people saw the flaws and knocked him off his pedestal.
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