To slap down is to reject or rebuke sharply and decisively: The judge slapped down the motion.
It suggests using authority to put someone in their place or dismiss their proposal with force: Her boss slapped down the idea before she could finish explaining it.
The image is of a hand coming down hard—quick, final, emphatic.
1. suppress — quash, Suppress or nullify; crush (Compress with force); squash (Flatten by pressure); quell (Forcibly end unrest); stamp out · snuff out · squelch · block · reject · veto · overrule · kill · defeat · stop
2. reprimand — rebuke, Express sharp disapproval; scold (Rebuke harshly); admonish (Reprove with counsel); reprove (Censure for wrongdoing); chastise · berate · censure · upbraid · castigate · chide · tell off · take to task · put in place · smackdown
Opposites
response to speech or behaviorslap down ≠ encourage Urge forward with support; build up · support · praise · validate · affirm
correction styleslap down ≠ constructive criticism Fault-finding aimed at improvement; nurture · coach · mentor · counsel
status/power dynamicsslap down ≠ lift up Raise to higher position; elevate · build up · empower · raise up · bolster
Family
down, slap, download, downturn, slapped, downplay, slapping, slaps, downbeat
- Familiarity
- Top 100,000
- Profile
- Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG