peg down
To identify clearly.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“I cannot quite peg down why he seems so upset today.”
“The detective tried to peg down the exact time the suspect left the building.”
“Despite his extensive research, the historian struggled to peg down the precise origin of the ancient manuscript.”
- 01
knock down a peg
Synonym of take down a notch.
- 02
peg the needle
To achieve the maximum level of something, to max out, to pull out all the stops.
- 03
square peg in a round hole
Someone or something that does not fit well or at all in a certain setting; a misfit; hence, someone or something that will not succeed in an endeavour, except possibly with much effort and force.
- 04
take down a peg
Synonym of take down a notch.
Last updated August 10, 2026