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mow

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mow someone or something down

to cut, knock, or shoot someone or something down. The speeding car almost mowed us down. The car mowed down the pedestrian.

See also: down, mow

mow down somebody/something

also mow somebody/something down

to violently cause someone or something to fall The car skidded along the side of the road and mowed down several mailboxes before coming to a stop. A young woman was mowed down in a public market by narcotics traffickers.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of mow down (to cut grasses or grains that fall over as they are cut)

See also: down, mow

mow down

1. Destroy in great numbers, especially in battle, as in The machine gun mowed them down as they advanced. [Late 1500s]

2. Overwhelm, as in He mowed down the opposition with his arguments. This usage, like the first, alludes to mowing, the cutting of grass with a scythe or other implement.

See also: down, mow

mow down

v.

1. To trim back or cut down something that grows from the ground: Unfortunately, you didn't just cut the grass—you mowed down all the potato plants. We mowed the brush down with scythes.

2. To destroy or incapacitate someone or something as if by cutting or driving into the ground: The machine gunners mowed down hundreds of enemy troops within the first ten minutes of fighting. I tried to tackle the runner, but he just mowed me down. The gang drove by with machine guns and mowed the informant down in front of his house.

3. To overwhelm someone or something: The experienced debater mowed down the opposition with persuasive arguments.

See also: down, mow

mow, blow, and go

n. the lawn service that quickly mows the grass, blows the pavements clean, and leaves. Now you see them and now you don’t. It’s mow, blow, and go time.

See also: and

mow the lawn

and mow one’s lawn

tv. to comb one’s hair. I’ll be with you as soon as I mow the lawn. Don’t you think you better mow your lawn?

See also: lawn, mow

mow one’s lawn

verb

See mow the lawn

See also: lawn, mow