ENGLISH
REFERENCE

hit someone when they are down

idiom
Meaning

Synonym of kick someone when they are down (“make things worse for someone in a difficult position”).


Examples
SIMPLE

It is cruel to hit someone when they are down.

CONTEXTUAL

He lost his job yesterday, so please do not hit him when he is down by criticizing his work.

COMPLEX

Even though their political rival had just suffered a humiliating defeat, the opposition party continued to hit them when they were down by leaking further damaging information.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    as if someone owns the place

    Alternative form of like someone owns the place.

  2. 02

    beat someone round the ears

    To beat (a person) with blows about the head.

  3. 03

    bless someone with

    To give or bestow, as a gift from God.

  4. 04

    bring someone to their knees

    To defeat and make submit to orders.

  5. 05

    call someone every name in the book

    To call someone many abusive names.

  6. 06

    call someone everything but a child of God

    To call someone many abusive names.

  7. 07

    catch someone napping

    To take advantage of someone's inattention.

  8. 08

    cry someone a river

    To weep profusely or excessively in the presence of another person.

Last updated April 17, 2026