ENGLISH
REFERENCE

kick someone when they are down

idiom
Meaning

To make things worse for someone who is going through a difficult time.


Examples
SIMPLE

It is cruel to kick someone when they are down.

CONTEXTUAL

He just lost his job, so please do not criticize his work now; it is wrong to kick someone when they are down.

COMPLEX

Even though their rival had suffered a devastating public failure, the board members chose not to kick someone when they are down, opting instead to offer a graceful exit.

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