Word info

do a number on

Verb

Meaning

do a number on (third-person singular simple present does a number on, present participle doing a number on, simple past did a number on, past participle done a number on)

(informal) To damage; to treat harshly; to produce ill effects in.
Synonym: take its toll

Source: en.wiktionary.org

Examples

They looked at me like I was some kind of threat. [Mick] Jagger really tried to put me down, but there was no way some crude, lippy guy was going to do a number on me. I was always able to squelch him. I found out that, if you stand up to Mick, he crumbles. Anita Pallenberg

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