# take down a notch

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/take-down-a-notch
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To cause a person's or group's self-esteem or importance to be decreased.

## Examples

- His arrogance was annoying, so someone finally took him down a notch.
- The team had been winning every game, but their recent loss took them down a notch.
- After the manager boasted about his supposed brilliance, the board of directors took him down a notch by questioning his recent financial failures.

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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.