talk down to
talk 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 talk down to my kids when they ask me a serious question. I hate the way my boss talks down to me whenever I ask him to explain something.
See also: down, talk
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
talk down to someone
to speak to someone in a patronizing manner; to speak to someone in the simplest way. The manager insulted everyone in the office by talking down to them. Please don't talk down to me. I can understand anything you have to say.
See also: down, talk
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
talk down to
Also, speak down to. Address someone with insulting condescension, patronize, as in Just because she's editor-in-chief doesn't give her the right to talk down to her staff , or Children hate teachers who speak down to them.
See also: down, talk
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
- 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