speak down to (one)
speak down to (one)
To speak in an insultingly condescending manner to one; to speak to one as if they are less mature, intelligent, or capable than they really are. I try not to speak down to my kids when they ask me a serious question. I hate the way my boss speaks down to me whenever I ask him to explain something.
See also: down, speak
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
speak down to someone
to address someone in simpler terms than necessary; to speak condescendingly to someone. There is no need to speak down to me. I can understand anything you are likely to say. sorry. sometimes I tend to speak down to people over the telephone.
See also: down, speak
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
speak down to
To speak condescendingly to: She never spoke down to her audience.
See also: down, speak
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
- drive (one) out of office
- force (one) out of office
- force out of office
- give (one) (one's) head
- give head
- give somebody their head
- give someone their head
- cooking for one
- 1FTR
- as one door closes, another one opens