What Does “Mow sb down” Mean?
“Mow sb down” means to knock someone down forcefully, usually by a vehicle or in a figurative way, like overwhelming someone quickly.
Introduction
The phrase “mow sb down” is a common English phrasal verb that often appears in news reports, stories, and everyday speech. Its meaning can be literal, such as when a car hits and knocks a person to the ground, or figurative, like when someone is overwhelmed by a strong force or argument. Understanding the mow sb down meaning helps learners use it confidently in various contexts. This phrase adds vividness and impact when describing fast or powerful actions. Knowing how to use it properly improves both comprehension and expression in English.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: mow somebody down
- Type: transitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: to knock someone down forcefully or overpower them quickly
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Mow sb down” is a transitive phrasal verb, so it always needs a direct object (someone).
- Separable: Yes, you can say “mow someone down” or “mow down someone.”
- Pattern: Subject + mow + object + down or Subject + mow + down + object
How to Use “Mow sb down”?
You use “mow sb down” when describing a situation where someone is knocked down or overwhelmed quickly and forcefully. It is often used in news stories about accidents or violent events but can also be used figuratively, for example, when one team beats another decisively in sports.
Examples
Here are some examples to help you understand how to use “mow sb down” in a sentence:
- The reckless driver mowed down several pedestrians at the crosswalk.
- The opposing team was mowed down by a series of quick goals.
- During the protest, many people feared being mowed down by the police vehicles.
- She felt emotionally mowed down after hearing the harsh criticism.
Common Mistakes
Some learners confuse the word order or use the verb without the object.
- Incorrect: He mowed down quickly the man.
Correct: He mowed the man down quickly. - Incorrect: The car mowed down.
Correct: The car mowed down the cyclist.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrases include “run over,” “knock down,” and “overwhelm.” However, “mow sb down” often implies a forceful or rapid action, sometimes with a vehicle or figuratively.
- Run over: specifically means hitting someone or something with a vehicle.
- Knock down: means causing someone to fall but not necessarily by a vehicle.
- Overwhelm: more figurative, meaning to overpower emotionally or mentally.
Common Collocations
Here are some common words used with “mow sb down”:
- Vehicle – often the cause of mowing someone down physically.
- Pedestrians – people who can be mowed down in accidents.
- Opponents – in sports or competitions, meaning to defeat decisively.
- Criticism – figuratively, when someone feels overwhelmed by harsh words.
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a simple conversation using “mow sb down”:
Anna: Did you hear about the accident downtown?
Ben: Yes, a car mowed down three people at the intersection!
Anna: That’s terrible. I hope they are okay.
Practice
Try filling in the blanks with the correct form of “mow sb down”:
- The cyclist was _______ by a speeding truck yesterday.
- Our team was completely _______ in the final game.
- She felt _______ by the unexpected criticism.
FAQs
Q1: Can “mow sb down” be used figuratively?
Yes, it can describe being overwhelmed emotionally or mentally.
Q2: Is “mow sb down” always about accidents?
No, it can also be used in sports or other contexts to show overpowering someone.
Q3: Can I say “mow down someone” instead of “mow someone down”?
Yes, both forms are correct and interchangeable.
Q4: Is “mow sb down” formal or informal?
It is more common in informal and journalistic English.
Q5: What is the difference between “mow down” and “run over”?
“Run over” specifically means hitting with a vehicle, while “mow down” can be more forceful or figurative.
