put-down
B2Informal, colloquial. Common in spoken English and informal writing.
Definition
Meaning
A remark intended to belittle or humiliate someone.
Any act or statement that criticizes someone in a way that makes them feel inferior or stupid. It can range from a subtle, witty insult to a direct, harsh criticism.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word specifically carries the sense of intentional humiliation. It's not just criticism; it's criticism aimed at lowering someone's status, confidence, or self-esteem in the eyes of others or themselves.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Both use the hyphenated noun form. The verb phrase is 'to put someone down'.
Connotations
Equally negative in both varieties.
Frequency
Common in both, perhaps slightly more frequent in American media and informal discourse.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
N of NP (a put-down of his abilities)N about NP (a put-down about her appearance)N from NP (a put-down from the boss)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It was a classic put-down.”
- “She has a put-down for every occasion.”
- “To be on the receiving end of a put-down.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to describe unprofessional criticism in meetings or peer interactions (e.g., 'His constant put-downs created a toxic team environment.').
Academic
Rare in formal academic writing, but may appear in sociological or psychological discussions about communication, bullying, or power dynamics.
Everyday
Very common in descriptions of personal arguments, banter among friends, or reactions to rude behaviour.
Technical
Not typically used in technical fields unless discussing interpersonal communication or psychology.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He's always putting people down to make himself feel superior.
- She felt put down by his sarcastic tone.
American English
- Don't put down my ideas without even hearing me out.
- He was constantly put down by his coach.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Her joke was not funny; it was a mean put-down.
- I felt sad after his put-down.
- He delivered a clever put-down that left everyone laughing at his opponent.
- She's tired of the constant put-downs from her so-called friends.
- The politician's masterful put-down of the interviewer went viral on social media.
- A steady stream of parental put-downs in childhood can damage self-esteem.
- His ostensibly witty remark was, in fact, a thinly-veiled put-down designed to undermine her authority in the meeting.
- The film is a masterclass in the art of the subtle, sophisticated put-down among the intellectual elite.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine literally PUTting someone DOWN on the ground to show they are beneath you. A verbal 'put-down' does the same thing to their ego.
Conceptual Metaphor
CRITICISM/INSULT IS A PHYSICAL BLOW (that knocks you down).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводить как "положить вниз". Это существительное, а не глагол.
- Не использовать "критика" как прямой перевод, так как "put-down" всегда имеет унизительный, личный оттенок.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a verb without the hyphen ("He putdown his colleague" is incorrect; correct is "He put his colleague down" or "He delivered a put-down").
- Confusing it with general criticism that is constructive rather than humiliating.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'put-down' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Criticism can be constructive and focused on improving something. A 'put-down' is always destructive and focused on belittling the person.
Yes, many put-downs are delivered as witty insults, especially in banter or comedy. However, the target may still feel humiliated, so context is key.
As a noun meaning an insult, it is hyphenated: 'put-down'. The verb phrase is two words: 'to put someone down'.
Frequent, intentional put-downs are a classic bullying tactic. However, isolated put-downs can occur in heated arguments or as poorly-judged attempts at humour between peers.
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