down upon

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.

To be down upon, is to seize with avidity, as a bird of prey would pounce down upon its victim. Alluding to the state of the poultry market, the New York Tribune says:


The boarding-house keepers are down upon geese.

This phrase is also used to express disapprobation, dislike, or enmity; as "I'll be down upon you," i. e. I'll come up with you or pay you off for some injury or insult, &c. A common expression at the West is, "I'll be down upon you like a thousand of brick."

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