# kick someone when they are down

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/kick-someone-when-they-are-down
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

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

## Examples

- 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.

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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.