cry down
C1 formal separable transitive
In simple words
To say bad things about something to make people think it is less important or valuable.
Literal meaning: To call ('cry') something down — to shout it down until its standing falls.
Meanings
1 C1
idiomatic
formal
To speak disparagingly of something or someone in order to reduce their perceived value or importance.
"The critic spent the entire review crying down the author's latest novel."
Grammar: separable
2 C1
idiomatic
formal
To reduce the value or importance of something publicly, often to gain an advantage.
"Competitors tried to cry down the new product before it even reached the market."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Formal and somewhat archaic. More common in older literature and formal writing. In everyday speech, 'put down', 'talk down', or 'belittle' are more natural alternatives.
Commonly used with
achievement work effort contribution rival opponent
Forms
Base
cry down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
cries down
he/she/it
Past simple
cried down
yesterday
Past participle
cried down
have + pp
-ing form
crying down
continuous
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Synonyms
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