lowdown
B2Informal, colloquial.
Definition
Meaning
The true, inside, or secret facts about something, especially when disreputable.
Used as an adjective to describe someone or something that is mean, unfair, or contemptible.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun in the phrase 'the lowdown' or 'give the lowdown'. The adjectival use is an informal extension and is less common.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Understood and used in both varieties, but the adjectival use may be slightly more common in AmE. No significant spelling or form differences.
Connotations
Slightly 'noir' or underworld connotation in both varieties, as in 'the lowdown on the heist'. The adjective often implies a sense of treachery or unfair advantage.
Frequency
More frequent in spoken/informal written language in both varieties. Slightly higher frequency in AmE.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Give someone the lowdown ON something.Get the lowdown (ON something) FROM someone.What's the lowdown ON...?Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(to be/play) lowdown and dirty (adjective)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
'Before the merger, our contact gave us the lowdown on their financial troubles.'
Academic
Rare. Could be used in informal student discussions about a lecturer or course.
Everyday
'I need the lowdown on the new restaurant – is it any good?'
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Not applicable as a verb.
American English
- Not applicable as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- That was a really lowdown trick to play on your own brother.
- I can't believe he'd do something so lowdown.
American English
- Don't be lowdown – tell us what you really know.
- It's a lowdown, rotten thing to do.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Sorry, I don't have the lowdown.
- Can you give me the lowdown on the new boss?
- He promised to get me the inside lowdown on the company's plans.
- The journalist's source provided the unvarnished lowdown on the political scandal, exposing several lowdown tactics used by the campaign.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a spy getting LOW to the ground to hear the secret DOWNstairs conversation – that's the 'lowdown'.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE IS DOWN/HIDDEN (the truth is beneath the surface).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation as 'низкий' (low in height). Do not confuse with 'lowdown' as an adjective in English. The noun 'lowdown' is best translated as 'вся подноготная', 'вся правда', 'инсайдерская информация'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'a lowdown'). It's almost always 'the lowdown'.
- Using the adjectival form in formal contexts.
- Confusing 'lowdown' (information) with 'low-down' (adjective for a low physical position).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'lowdown' correctly as an adjective?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
As a noun (the information) and adjective (mean/contemptible), it is written as one word: 'lowdown'. The hyphenated form 'low-down' is sometimes seen, especially historically, but the one-word form is standard in modern dictionaries.
Rarely. It is almost exclusively used with 'the' ('the lowdown'). Using an indefinite article ('a lowdown') is non-standard.
A 'rundown' is a summary or list of main points, often neutral. The 'lowdown' implies secret, inside, or candid information, often with a slightly disreputable or gossipy nuance.
It is strong, informal, and critical, meaning 'despicable' or 'underhanded'. It is not a swear word, but it is a powerful term of moral condemnation.