cut+down
31cut down to size — cut (someone/something) down to size to make someone or something less important or detailed. When he started the job he thought he knew everything, but we soon cut him down to size. Sometimes we have to cut our grand dreams down to size …
32cut down to size — cut (someone) down to size to criticize someone who you think is too confident in order to make them feel less confident or less proud. When he started he thought he knew everything, but we soon cut him down to size …
33To cut down — Cut Cut (k[u^]t), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Cut}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Cutting}.] [OE. cutten, kitten, ketten; prob. of Celtic origin; cf. W. cwtau to shorten, curtail, dock, cwta bobtailed, cwt tail, skirt, Gael. cutaich to shorten, curtail, dock, cutach …
34To cut down — Down Down, adv. [For older adown, AS. ad[=u]n, ad[=u]ne, prop., from or off the hill. See 3d {Down}, and cf. {Adown}, and cf. {Adown}.] 1. In the direction of gravity or toward the center of the earth; toward or in a lower place or position;… …
35cut down to size — {v. phr.}, {informal} To prove that someone is not as good as he thinks. * /The big boy told John he could beat him, but John was a good boxer and soon cut him down to size./ Syn.: PUT IN ONE S PLACE …
36cut down to size — {v. phr.}, {informal} To prove that someone is not as good as he thinks. * /The big boy told John he could beat him, but John was a good boxer and soon cut him down to size./ Syn.: PUT IN ONE S PLACE …
37cut\ down\ to\ size — v. phr. informal To prove that someone is not as good as he thinks. The big boy told John he could beat him, but John was a good boxer and soon cut him down to size. Syn.: put in one s place …
38cut down to size — prove that someone is not as good as he thinks I was able to cut him down to size when I criticized what he said at the meeting …
39cut'down — Gullah Words dejected, chagrined …
40cut down — 1. Fell. 2. Diminish, lessen, abridge, abbreviate, curtail, retrench …
