# kick a dog when it's down

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/kick-a-dog-when-its-down
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To make things worse for someone in an adverse situation.

## Examples

- It is cruel to kick a dog when it is down.
- He already lost his job, so criticizing his performance now is just kicking a dog when it is down.
- Even though their rival had suffered a humiliating defeat, the team continued to mock them, effectively kicking a dog when it was down.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.