English Reference
Idiom idiom

when they go low, we go high


Used to indicate an unwillingness to stoop to an adversary's incivility or violence.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

“When they go low, we go high.”

CONTEXTUAL

“Even though my opponent insulted me during the debate, I remembered that when they go low, we go high.”

COMPLEX

“Despite the relentless provocations from his rivals, he maintained his dignity, firmly believing that when they go low, we go high.”


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    all dressed up and nowhere to go

    Elaborately attired or otherwise fully prepared for an anticipated situation or activity which, nevertheless, fails to occur.

  2. 02

    all systems go

    Everything is ready.

  3. 03

    as you go

    While one is doing (something); as one progresses.

  4. 04

    boldly go where no man has gone before

    To break new ground.

  5. 05

    come and go

    To repeatedly appear and disappear; to be transient.

  6. 06

    come hell or high water

    Regardless of the hardships; no matter what difficulties may arise.

  7. 07

    don't go there

    Do not broach that topic.

  8. 08

    easy come, easy go

    Easily won and easily lost (usually said when resigned to a loss; something that comes in the same way, goes in the same way)

Last updated August 10, 2026