low-down
The real story
Low-down has two distinct uses depending on stress.
With stress on the second syllable, it's an adjective meaning mean, base, or despicable: a low-down dirty trick, That was a low-down thing to do.
With stress on the first syllable, the low-down is insider information or the real facts: Give me the low-down on what happened at the meeting.
First-reported story
- gossipInformal talk spreading rumors
- rumorUnconfirmed circulating story
- leakEscape through a breach
- tip-offAdvance secret warning
whisper · intelligence · briefing · skinny · dope · dirt · intel · news
Not clean
- sneakyStealthily deceptive
- underhandedSecretly dishonest or unfair
- deceitfulInclined to mislead others
- shadyDisreputable or sun-blocked
crooked · mean · rotten · despicable · contemptible · base · vile · nasty
scoop
First-reported story
tip-off · whisper · intelligence · briefing · skinny · dope · dirt · intel · news · revelation
dirty
Not clean
- sneakyStealthily deceptive
- underhandedSecretly dishonest or unfair
- deceitfulInclined to mislead others
shady · crooked · mean · rotten · despicable · contemptible · base · vile · nasty · unscrupulous
honky-tonk
Rough country music venue
- roadhouseWayside drinking establishment
- harmonicaHandheld reed wind instrument
- deltaSymbol denoting variation
Chicago · boogie · shuffle · groove · gritty · soulful · mournful · wailing · barrelhouse · dirty
low-downnoble
Titled or virtuous
honorable · honourable · upright · virtuous · high-minded
low-downparty line
Official political position
cover story · spin · whitewash · propaganda · official narrative