slap down

See also: slapdown and slap-down

English

Alternative forms

• slap-down

Etymology

Metaphorical use of a literal phrase (slap + down).

Verb

slap down (third-person singular simple present slaps down, present participle slapping down, simple past and past participle slapped down)

1. (transitive) To browbeat or reprimand (someone) harshly, usually in front of other people.

   She slapped down her subordinate at the meeting.

2. (transitive) To harshly reject (something).

   The judge slapped down the department's rule rewrites.

Noun

slap down (plural slap downs)

1. Alternative spelling of slapdown