do down: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2-C1 (Upper Intermediate to Advanced)Informal, primarily British English; conversational rather than formal
Quick answer
What does “do down” mean?
To criticize, belittle, or speak negatively about someone/something.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To criticize, belittle, or speak negatively about someone/something
To undermine someone's reputation or achievements; to disparage; to treat unfairly through negative comments
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Much more common in British English; Americans might use "put down," "badmouth," or "criticize" instead
Connotations
In British English: implies unfairness or jealousy behind the criticism; has a slightly old-fashioned or regional feel
Frequency
High frequency in UK informal speech; low frequency in American English, where it may sound British or archaic
Grammar
How to Use “do down” in a Sentence
[Subject] + do down + [Object (person/achievement)]Don't + do + [pronoun] + downVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “do down” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He's always doing down his colleagues to make himself look better.
- Stop doing yourself down - you deserve that promotion.
- The manager did down the entire team's efforts in the meeting.
American English
- She constantly puts down her coworkers' ideas. (American equivalent)
- Don't badmouth your own achievements like that.
- He criticized the proposal without offering alternatives.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare in formal business contexts; might appear in informal office talk about colleagues
Academic
Very rare; considered too informal
Everyday
Common in British informal conversation about relationships, work, or social situations
Technical
Not used in technical contexts
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “do down”
- Using it in formal writing
- Using continuous form incorrectly (*I am doing him down*) - usually simple present/past
- Confusing with 'do up' (repair/decorate) or 'do over' (redo)
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it's a separable phrasal verb. You can say 'He did his brother down' or 'He did down his brother,' though pronoun objects usually go in the middle: 'He did him down.'
It will be understood but may sound British. Americans typically use 'put down,' 'badmouth,' or 'criticize' in similar contexts.
'Look down on' implies feeling superior to someone/something. 'Do down' involves actively criticizing or speaking negatively about them.
Primarily about speech/writing - using words to criticize. It doesn't refer to physical actions that undermine someone.
To criticize, belittle, or speak negatively about someone/something.
Do down is usually informal, primarily british english; conversational rather than formal in register.
Do down: in British English it is pronounced /ˌduː ˈdaʊn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdu ˈdaʊn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Don't do yourself down (advice against self-criticism)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine someone being pushed DOWN verbally by negative comments - they're being 'DOne DOWN'
Conceptual Metaphor
CRITICISM IS PHYSICAL FORCE/DOWNWARD MOTION (similar to 'put down', 'knock down')
Practice
Quiz
Which context is MOST appropriate for 'do down'?