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HUBLOT Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

Take it down a notch

http://thebea.st/1Vns66E

Her husband's temperament has also come under scrutiny. When asked if she had ever advised him to "take it down a notch," she said, "No, no, no.

Does take it down a notch mean "relax" or "calm down"?
  

Top answer

HUBLOT Does take it down a notch mean "relax" or "calm down"? Here, yes. It can be used to refer (casually) to other decelerations or ameliorations.

— Mister Micawber

  • HUBLOT Does take it down a notch mean "relax" or "calm down"?
  • Here, yes.
  • It can be used to refer (casually) to other decelerations or ameliorations.
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6 Answers
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HUBLOTDoes take it down a notch mean "relax" or "calm down"?
Here, yes. It can be used to refer (casually) to other decelerations or ameliorations.
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Thanks a lot, MM.

Decelerations? Ameliorations? Could you tell me in more detail how to use the phrase?
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Why don't you just browse through the hits on FrazeIt?— http://fraze.it
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Sadly, FrazeIt didn't help to understand your words. Emotion: crying
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Hi

It's not clear where the phrase comes from. A flag on a ship's flagpole is positioned by looping the rope into a notch on the pole - in that way, the flag will fly higher or lower

To take someone down a notch (or two) is to lower their self-esteem - to make them feel less important - as if their flag is flying at a lower level

Dave
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... so, in the context you give, 'her husband's temperament' means that he is always going on about himself. In metaphor, he is constantly flying his flag too high. She should have told him to take it down a notch but, apparently, she didn't

Dave
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