talk down to
B1 informal inseparable transitive
In simple words
To speak to someone as if they are stupid or less important than you.
Meanings
1 B1
idiomatic
informal
To speak to someone in a condescending way, as though they are less intelligent or capable than you.
"I stopped going to that doctor because he constantly talked down to me instead of explaining things properly."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Always negative. The phrase captures a specific social dynamic where the speaker assumes intellectual or social superiority. Very commonly used as a complaint about someone's behavior: 'I hate the way he talks down to us.' Common in all English varieties.
Commonly used with
students employees customers public voters children
Forms
Base
talk down to
I/you/we/they
3rd person
talks down to
he/she/it
Past simple
talked down to
yesterday
Past participle
talked down to
have + pp
-ing form
talking down to
continuous
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Synonyms
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