talk-down-to
Chunk: talk down to
Meaning & Usage
To talk down to someone means to speak to them as if they are stupid, less important, or inferior. It implies an arrogant, condescending tone of voice.
🧲 Common Collocates
- Targets: talk down to employees, talk down to children, hate being talked down to.
- Contexts: always talking down to me, tends to talk down to people.
💬 Contextual Examples
- I quit my job because my manager constantly talked down to me.
- Even though they are kids, you should explain it clearly without talking down to them.
- He has a habit of talking down to anyone who doesn't have a college degree.
🎴 Interactive Web Practice
Practice 1: I refuse to tolerate a boss who constantly talks ______ to her staff.
Answer:
down Practice 2: Please don't talk down ______ me; I understand the situation perfectly.
Answer:
to Practice 3: It is extremely frustrating being ______ down to by someone younger than you.
Answer:
talked