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stoop to

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stoop to something

to do something that makes your moral standards lower They have stooped to using threats of violence in order to get their way.

Usage notes: often used in the forms stoop to someone's level or stoop to the level of dong something: The president shouldn't stoop to the level of exchanging insults.

Etymology: from the literal meaning of stoop (to bend forward and down to make yourself smaller)

See also: stoop

stoop to

Condescend to something beneath one's dignity, as in She wouldn't stoop to listening to that obnoxious gossip. [Second half of 1500s]

See also: stoop

stoop to

v.

To do something degrading or reprehensible to achieve one's ends: It's a shame that the museum has to stoop to cheap gimmicks in order to attract visitors.

See also: stoop