take (one) down a peg (or two)

take (one) down a peg (or two)

To reduce or damage one's ego or pride; to humble or humiliate one. I'm really glad that pompous oaf lost his court case, maybe that will take him down a peg or two. It's about time that someone took Sarah down a peg. Her snotty rich-kid arrogance is intolerable!See also: down, peg, take

take someone down a peg (or two)

 and take someone down a notch (or two); knock someone down a peg (or two); knock someone down a notch (or two)Fig. to reprimand someone who is acting too arrogant. The teacher's scolding took Bob down a notch or two. He was so rude that someone was bound to knock him down a peg or two.See also: down, peg, take

take someone down a peg or two

or

bring someone down a peg or two

If you take someone down a peg or two or bring them down a peg or two, you do something to make them less proud or make them realise that they are not as important as they thought they were. When it comes to success stories like these sports stars, all the media want to do is find ways to bring them down a peg or two. We thought it was time they were brought down a peg or two. Note: People sometimes just say bring someone down a peg or take someone down a peg. We'd have liked to see her taken down a peg, but not this way. Note: This expression may refer to the tuning of musical instruments such as guitars or violins, where pegs are used to keep the strings tight. Alternatively, it may refer to the game of cribbage, where pegs are used to keep the score. See also: down, peg, someone, take, two

take someone down a peg or two

make someone realize that they are less talented or important than they think they are.See also: down, peg, someone, take, two

take (someone) down a peg

To reduce the pride of; humble.See also: down, peg, take