wipe the floor with sb

/wˈaɪp ðə flˈɔː wɪð ˌɛsbˈiː/

/wˈaɪp ðə flˈoːɹ wɪð ˌɛsbˈiː/

[phrase]

to wipe the floor with sb

[PHRASE]

to completely beat someone in an argument or competition, particularly in a humiliating way

to [wipe] the floor with {sb} definition and meaning

What is the origin of the idiom "wipe the floor with someone" and when to use it?

The idiom "wipe the floor with someone" is believed to have originated from the practice of cleaning a floor by wiping it with a mop or cloth. The action of wiping the floor clean suggests a thorough and complete victory, leaving no trace of the opponent's presence or challenge. This idiom is often used to describe a situation where one person or team defeats another in a competition, argument, or conflict, with great ease and skill, leaving the opponent humiliated or embarrassed.

Examples

1. You might mop the floor with your mop, an important activity for hardwood floors.

2. I'm not just going there to participate Benjamin, so New just remember no matter how easy these olympic athletes make it seem they will absolutely mop the floor with most of us in their event.

3. And then when you mop the floor with it, it's not sudsy, it's not soapy.

4. Or if we ate spaghetti, and there is sauce everywhere, I mop the floor with a mop.

Nearby words