spell down

Related to spell down: spell out

spell down

To be victorious over someone in a spelling competition (known as a "spelling bee" or "spelldown"). A noun or pronoun can be used between "spell" and "down." A first time contestant, she managed to spell down all 29 other competitors to win the city's 22nd annual spelling bee. He spelled Sarah Thompson with his correct spelling of the word "antidisestablishmentarianism."
See also: down, spell
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

spell someone down

to win over someone in a spelling match. Frank spelled everyone else down and won the spelling bee. He spelled down almost everyone.
See also: down, spell
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

spell down

v.
To defeat someone in a spelling bee: My cousin spelled down 15 competitors to reach the finals. I finally spelled last year's champion down.
See also: down, spell
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • not do (someone or oneself) any favors
  • buy (yourself) time
  • buy time
  • ask back
  • (Is) this taken?
  • angle
  • angling
  • interpret for
  • interpret for (someone)
  • arrange some music for
References in periodicals archive
Hodd was well taken to his right by Rudolph at slip and in a fiery spell down the slope Shahzad then picked up his fourth wicket when Dwayne Smith checked a drive and was caught and bowled.
Abbott said: Andy knows Workington well after his loan spell down there last season,and Darren knows what he will get from him as well.
Malcolm served Broad Oak as player and official for most of his life (apart from a brief early spell down the road at Linthwaite), and his love for the club was continued through son Simon, who is still the regular wicketkeeper.
After his spell Down Under we have re-signed 77-times capped Terry Butcher as o ur En gland expert - and he's as frank as ever..
Watched by a bigger crowd than you would normally associate with a pre-season friendly, not to mention TV cameras and a well-staffed press pack, Jones delivered more than a competent opening six-over spell down the hill from the Cromwell Road end.
Among those "processes" has been the decision to return Strauss to the batsman's favoured opening role alongside Marcus Trescothick, as they bat together at the top of the order at Test level, after a brief spell down the order.
Moore can trace the injury back to a loan spell down the leagues in 2003-04.
"This is my second spell down here and I love the place.
McDonald's major summer signing has been central defender Chris Whelan, whose job has brought him back to Merseyside after a five year spell down south in which he played for Ryman League Premier Division side Kingstonian.
"I am loving being back at Scotstoun after my spell down in England."
Former Manchester United and Aston Villa striker Yorke, who joined the Black cats after a spell Down Under has admitted he was disappointed to see a return to the A-League dashed when negotiations with Central Coast Mariners broke down.
During his spell Down Under, he reinvented himself as a midfielder and played in his first World Cup finals but nevertheless jumped at the chance to return to his adopted homeland.
As for the centre - where Seveali'i, Tiueti and Mackey all play - the Ospreys are to be reinforced by Welsh international Leigh Davies, who is looking lean and mean after his spell Down Under.
Hurrell became good friends with England RU defence coach Phil's son Matt when he had a spell Down Under.
The UniBond League First Division club have re-signed the former Australian international after his short spell Down Under with Wollongong Wolves.