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Take Down a Peg

What Does "Take Down a Peg" Mean?

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"Take down a peg" is an English idiom. It means "to lower someone's status, ego, or confidence, typically in a subtle or indirect way."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "take down a peg" used in a sentence:
  • Her promotion made her quite arrogant, so her colleagues found ways to take her down a peg by reminding her of her past mistakes.
  • Taking someone down a peg can be a way to maintain a balanced and harmonious social environment.
  • In some situations, people need to be taken down a peg to recognize their limitations.
meaning for take down a peg

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Take Down a Peg" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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