What does “Wipe the floor with” mean?
"Wipe the floor with" means to defeat someone decisively or completely.
What context can I use the in?
Example
The champion boxer wiped the floor with his opponent in the first round.
Example
Our team wiped the floor with the competition, winning by a landslide.
Example
She's a talented dancer and wipes the floor with her competitors in every competition
Is “Wipe the floor with” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Wipe the floor with” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “Wipe the floor with” effectively in context?
You can use "Wipe the floor with" to describe a situation where someone defeats another person or team in a very decisive and complete manner. It emphasizes the idea of overwhelming victory. For example, if your friend wins a tennis match without losing a single game, you might say, 'He "wiped the floor with" his opponent.'
- 1Sports
The champion boxer wiped the floor with his opponent in the first round.
- 2Competition
Our team wiped the floor with the competition, winning by a landslide.
- 3Performing Arts
She's a talented dancer and wipes the floor with her competitors in every competition.
Similar phrases to “Wipe the floor with”:
To defeat or overcome someone or something decisively
Example
The team crushed their opponents, winning by a huge margin.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Wipe the floor with” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Wipe the floor with" is unknown.
Is “Wipe the floor with” common in everyday conversation?
Yes, "Wipe the floor with" is a commonly used expression in everyday conversation. It is often used to describe a dominant victory in sports, competitions, or any situation where one party completely outperforms another.
What tone does “Wipe the floor with” have?
"Wipe the floor with" conveys a tone of superiority and dominance. It is used to emphasize the extent of someone's victory or success.
Can “Wipe the floor with” be used in informal and formal settings?
The phrase "wipe the floor with" is more commonly used in informal settings. It is often used in casual conversations among friends, colleagues, or sports enthusiasts. However, it can also be used in more formal situations to add emphasis or create a vivid image.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'Our team wiped the floor with the competition.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Time to "wipe the floor with"!' to express confidence or anticipation of victory.
