# knock down a peg

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/knock-down-a-peg
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Synonym of take down a notch.

## Examples

- His arrogance needs to be knocked down a peg.
- The team captain was acting like he owned the place until the coach knocked him down a peg.
- After his public failure, the once-haughty executive was finally knocked down a peg by his peers during the board meeting.

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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.