kick someone when they are down
To make things worse for someone who is going through a difficult time.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“It is cruel to kick someone when they are down.”
“He just lost his job, so please do not criticize his work now; it is wrong to kick someone when they are down.”
“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.”
- 01
as if someone owns the place
Alternative form of like someone owns the place.
- 02
beat someone round the ears
To beat (a person) with blows about the head.
- 03
bless someone with
To give or bestow, as a gift from God.
- 04
bring someone to their knees
To defeat and make submit to orders.
- 05
call someone every name in the book
To call someone many abusive names.
- 06
call someone everything but a child of God
To call someone many abusive names.
- 07
catch someone napping
To take advantage of someone's inattention.
- 08
cry someone a river
To weep profusely or excessively in the presence of another person.
Last updated August 10, 2026