1 C1 idiomatic informal
To speak down to someone in a scolding or patronizing manner.
"The manager had a habit of jawing down at new workers."
inseparable
jaw down
C1 informal inseparable transitive
To speak to someone in a superior, scolding, or condescending way.
In plain English
talk to someone like they are lower than you
What does "jaw down" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To move the jaw downward at someone.
Actually means
talk to someone like they are lower than you
Usage tip
Very rare and dialectal; not common in standard modern English.
Words that pair with "jaw down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
employees kids staff someone younger
How to conjugate "jaw down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
jaw down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
jaws down
he/she/it
Past simple
jawed down
yesterday
Past participle
jawed down
have + pp
-ing form
jawing down
continuous
Hear "jaw down" in the wild
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Other ways to say "jaw down"
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