down to earth
Without airs whatsoever
Down to earth describes someone practical, unpretentious, and free of affectation.
A down-to-earth person doesn't put on airs or act superior: Despite her fame, she remained remarkably down to earth.
The phrase suggests being grounded in reality rather than lost in abstractions or self-importance.
Also hyphenated as down-to-earth when used before a noun: a down-to-earth approach to problem-solving.
Involving direct physical engagement
- sensibleShowing good judgment
- pragmaticFocused on workable solutions
- realisticTrue to life
- no-nonsenseSerious and efficient
matter-of-fact · levelheaded · commonsensical · rational · clear-headed · shrewd · judicious · sober
Lacking in pretension
- unpretentiousLacking false superiority
- unassumingNot making claims
- simpleFree of complexity
- self-effacingDownplaying one's own importance
plain · ordinary · approachable · folksy · homespun · regular · everyday · common
hands-on
Involving direct physical engagement
no-nonsense · matter-of-fact · levelheaded · commonsensical · rational · clear-headed · shrewd · judicious · sober · objective
modest
Lacking in pretension
- unpretentiousLacking false superiority
- unassumingNot making claims
- simpleFree of complexity
self-effacing · plain · ordinary · approachable · folksy · homespun · regular · everyday · common · relatable
rooted
Firmly established in place
balanced · steady · solid · secure · planted · settled · composed · unshakeable · level · firm
- space termsmoon, star, planet, rocket, satellite
- farm idiomsmake hay while the sun shines, cream of the crop, put the cart before the horse, till the cows come home, buy the farm
- realistarealist painting, realist novel, social realism, naturalism, Courbet
- authenticityauthentic, genuine, real, fake, counterfeit
- humilityhumbleness, humble, meekness, modesty, modest
- Weather Idiomsunder the weather, when it rains it pours, come rain or shine, rain check, take a rain check
down to earthhead in the clouds
Absorbed in fantasy
impractical · unrealistic · pie-in-the-sky · idealistic · starry-eyed
down to earthflighty
Erratic and unreliable
spacey · scatterbrained · airheaded · ditzy · out of touch
down, earth, earthy, earthquake, downcast, downright, downplay, earthenware, down-to-earth