Talk down
phrasal verb
To speak to someone as if they are less intelligent or important.
My boss always talks down to me. It's very frustrating.
Often appears as...
- talk down to someone
- talk down to him
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial
phrasal verb
To persuade someone not to do something.
The police managed to talk him down from the ledge of the building.
Often appears as...
- talk someone down
- talk him down
phrasal verb
To discuss the price of something to make it less expensive.
I talked the seller down to a reasonable price for the car.
Often appears as...
- talk price down
- talk it down
phrasal verb
To speak to someone as if they are less intelligent or important.
My boss always talks down to me. It's very frustrating.
Often appears as...
- talk down to someone
- talk down to him
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial
phrasal verb
To persuade someone not to do something.
The police managed to talk him down from the ledge of the building.
Often appears as...
- talk someone down
- talk him down
phrasal verb
To discuss the price of something to make it less expensive.
I talked the seller down to a reasonable price for the car.
Often appears as...
- talk price down
- talk it down
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Feeling Superior
Used when someone acts as if they are smarter or better than the person they are speaking to.
He began to talk down to the new hire, as if explaining the simplest tasks.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Tone
Often implies a negative tone and can hurt or offend the listener.
She felt demoralized when her teacher talked down to her in front of the class.
Pro Tip 3/3Power Dynamics
Can signal a power imbalance or disrespect in professional or personal relationships.
At the meeting, he talked down to his colleagues, undermining their expertise.
Pro Tip 1/3Feeling Superior
Used when someone acts as if they are smarter or better than the person they are speaking to.
He began to talk down to the new hire, as if explaining the simplest tasks.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Tone
Often implies a negative tone and can hurt or offend the listener.
She felt demoralized when her teacher talked down to her in front of the class.
Pro Tip 3/3Power Dynamics
Can signal a power imbalance or disrespect in professional or personal relationships.
At the meeting, he talked down to his colleagues, undermining their expertise.
Pro Tip 1/3Feeling Superior
Used when someone acts as if they are smarter or better than the person they are speaking to.
He began to talk down to the new hire, as if explaining the simplest tasks.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Tone
Often implies a negative tone and can hurt or offend the listener.
She felt demoralized when her teacher talked down to her in front of the class.
Pro Tip 3/3Power Dynamics
Can signal a power imbalance or disrespect in professional or personal relationships.
At the meeting, he talked down to his colleagues, undermining their expertise.
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