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argue down

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argue someone down

to defeat someone in a debate. Sally could always argue him down if she had to. She tries to argue down everyone she meets.

See also: argue, down

argue something down

 

1. Lit. to reduce something, such as a bill or a price, by arguing. I tried to argue the price down, but it did no good. Tom could not argue down the bill.

2. Fig. to urge the defeat of a proposal or a motion in a meeting through discussion. I am prepared to argue the proposal down in court. She will argue down the proposal in the council meeting.

See also: argue, down

argue down

v.

1. To end the opposition of someone or something by arguing strongly: He tried to object, but I argued him down. Our tax reform proposal was argued down by the committee.

2. To negotiate some lower price: The buyer argued me down to such a low price that I made no profit from the sale. If you want to buy that washing machine, I'm sure you can argue down the owner to half the price.

See also: argue, down