Down

when the chips are down

Meaning: when a situation is urgent or desperate.

Example: When the chips are down, you know who your real friends are. Read on

turn down a glass

Meaning: to decline something that someone has offered.

Example: to decline something that someone has offered. Read on

upside down

Meaning: literally refers to an object that has been reoriented so that the portion which would otherwise be considered the top is now at the bottom, i.e., it is in an inverted position.

Example: Out of embarrassment, I turned the book upside down so that he would not see the title of what I was reading. Read on

buckle down

Meaning: make sure something stays in place

Example: She knew if she didn't buckle down, the tasks wouldn't get done. Read on

take it up/down a notch

Meaning: apply more effort to achieve a goal

Example: The team got through to the quarter-finals. Now they need to take it up a notch to get to the semis. Read on

throw down the gauntlet

Meaning: to accept a challenge

Example: When it comes to the rights of animals, we are always willing to throw down the gauntlet. Read on

kick the can down the road

Meaning: to avoid dealing with a problem

Example: I realise that the house needs to be painted but we are going to move in a few years so I am kicking the can down the road. Read on

ups and downs

Meaning: good times and bad times

Example: Every relationship has its ups and downs. It is important to stick it out. Read on

fish rots from the head down

Meaning: It refers to failing organizations and how the blame of it should be on its 'head' that is its leadership.

Example: The company was bound to be closed sooner or later considering the kind of mangers that they had hired. A fish rots from the head down after all. Read on

down the drain

Meaning: to waste something

Example: Fixing that old car is just money down the drain, it will never run properly again. Read on

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