bring/take somebody down a peg

bring (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 bring him down a peg or two. It's about time that someone brought Sarah down a peg. Her snotty rich-kid arrogance is intolerable!See also: bring, down, peg

take (someone) down a peg (or two)

To reduce or damage someone's ego or pride; to humble or humiliate someone. 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

ˌbring/ˌtake somebody ˈdown a peg (or two)

(informal) make somebody realize that they are not as good, important, etc. as they think they are: He didn’t win first prize after all. That’ll bring him down a peg or two. ♢ It’s time that somebody took that woman down a peg or two. She behaves as if she were the queen.See also: bring, down, peg, somebody, take

take (someone) down a peg

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