student asking question

What does "down" mean here?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

"Down" in this case goes with the phrase "deep down", which is used to refer to a truth that someone knows but pretends as though they don't know or hides it from themselves or others. "Deep down" expresses thoughts which are hidden inside someone, as though they are stuck deep down inside them. Ex: Deep down I knew she was a liar but I didn't want to believe it. Ex: He doesn't show that I know that he loves her but he cares about her deep down.

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