low-down

low-down
low-down (adj.) also low down, lowdown, "vulgar," 1888, from LOW (Cf. low) (adj.) + DOWN (Cf. down) (adv.). Earlier it meant "humble" (1540s). As a noun, 1915, from the adjective, Amer.Eng.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • low|down — low down1 «LOH DOWN», adjective. Informal. 1. low; mean; contemptible: »a low down neighborhood. Giving me a broken pen in the trade was a low down trick. 2. earthy: »Delightful low down musical about Broadway s floating crap games (Time) …   Useful english dictionary

  • low-down — or low·down (lōʹdounʹ) adj. 1. Despicable; base: a low down coward. 2. a. Gloomy; depressed. b. Earthy; funky: a low down blues; the low down sound of a clarinet. * * * …   Universalium

  • low-down — adj [only before noun] informal dishonest and unkind ▪ What a low down, dirty trick …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • low-down — informal ► ADJECTIVE ▪ mean and unfair. ► NOUN (the low down) ▪ the relevant information …   English terms dictionary

  • low-down — also lowdown 1) N SING: the N, oft N on n If someone gives you the low down on a person or thing, they tell you all the important information about them. [INFORMAL] We want you to give us the low down on your team mates. Syn: gen 2) ADJ GRADED:… …   English dictionary

  • low-down — lowdown low down , low down low down a. of the most contemptible kind; contemptible; mean; base; vile; of people or the actions of people; as, a lowdown sneak thief. Syn: abject, base, despicable, low, lowdown, miserable, vile. [WordNet 1.5 +… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • low-down — lowdown low down , low down low down . true confidential information. Syn: details, dope, poop, inside dope, inside information. [WordNet 1.5] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • low-down — adjective Date: 1850 1. contemptible, base < a low down dirty liar > 2. deeply emotional < low down blues > …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • low-down — I noun slang terms for inside information (Freq. 2) is that the straight dope? • Syn: ↑dope, ↑poop, ↑the skinny • Hypernyms: ↑details, ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • low-down — bad, evil, not nice    Stealing from that old woman was a low down thing to do! …   English idioms

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