mow down

British  

verb

1. (tr, adverb) to kill in large numbers, esp by gunfire

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mow down Idioms  

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.

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Example Sentences

"But if there isn't this conversation and they are going to continue to mow down these efforts, it's really demoralising."

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

“They can mow down a kelp forest and then actually remain in that ecosystem without a food source,” said Prentice, a marine biologist and study co-author.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 4, 2025

“The same as if you mow down grass in your front yard,” Dr. Shamon said.

From New York Times • Jan. 10, 2023

Today @RealDawnProject launches a nationwide TV ad campaign demanding @NHTSAgov ban Full Self-Driving until @ElonMusk proves it won’t mow down children.

From Washington Post • Aug. 25, 2022

Pedaling down Maxwell Street, I took care to stay away from the hansom cabs and wagons that rushed through the road as though they were racing to see who could mow down the most pedestrians.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros

Related Words

• bulldoze
• demolish
• destroy
• dynamite
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• extinguish
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• smash
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