low-down
Britishadjective
noun
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
She back to her low-down talk with Miss Leefolt.
From "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
