wipe the floor with
Meaning(s)
1. easily defeat somebody
Popularity
High
Professional
High
Social
How to Memorize
wipe the floor with the competition
Analysis
This expression can be used in an informal social or professional situation, usually when discussing competition, or a physical or verbal altercation. It is associated not just with defeat, but with humiliation, and is likely to cause offence. The idea that you could 'wipe the floor' with somebody implies that you have beaten or defeated them so completely that you could do whatever you wanted with them. It is also commonly used when bragging about a victory. This is a casual expression used in social contexts.
Social Examples (Basic)
- If we're not all totally focused and committed in the final tomorrow, the opposition could wipe the floor with us.
- Alex knows not to get into a fight with me. I'd wipe the floor with him.
Professional Examples (Basic)
- The sales numbers we generated last month were extraordinary. We simply wiped the floor with our competition.
- In the meeting, Brian tried to pick holes in Anne's proposal, but she ended up just wiping the floor with him!