low-down

British  

adjective

1. mean, underhand, or despicable

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noun

1. information, esp secret or true information

Explanation

Something that's described as low-down is sleazy, like a cheater's low-down tricks for winning every game of poker. If you get the low-down, that means you have the inside scoop. So, if you're playing poker with a low-down cheater, get the low-down so you can outsmart him! If voters object to one candidate's low-down campaign methods, they'll probably vote for the opponent — or decide not to vote at all. And some basketball fans might complain that pretending to be fouled by another player is a low-down trick, although a common one. You can also use low-down to describe bluesy jazz or to mean "the inside scoop." When you visit an unfamiliar city, you can get the low-down on fun activities from your friend who lives there.

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, Pete Hegseth, when confronted by a reporter about Signalgate, claimed Goldberg was a no-good, low-down down mean old snake who’d do anything for fame.

From Salon • Mar. 27, 2025

There’s only one vocal segment, from Captain Beefheart at the start of Willie the Pimp, a low-down blues rock track which he delivered like a surreal Howlin’ Wolf.

From The Guardian • Dec. 13, 2019

“A gay and low-down blues,” Hughes directs, as if from the orchestra pit, in “the mood” of his piece.

From The New Yorker • Jul. 24, 2019

Wild, low-down comedy is part of the mix at Maccarone Gallery, where Hall is having her solo debut.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2019

Things only got low-down and dirty when they were fighting over mates in the spring—or fighting over hunting territory in the winter.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz

Related Words

• exaggerated
• ghastly
• gory
• grim
• grisly
• horrifying
• macabre
• obscene
• racy
• revolting
• sensational
• startling
• violent
• vivid