lowdown
/ˈlō-ˌdau̇n/ (ame, mw)
lowdown — noun
1. the key information about a situation, especially the details people really want
the key information about a situation, especially the details people really want to know.
Quan gave me the lowdown on the new boss before Monday's meeting.
pattern: give someone the lowdown on + topic
Hannah read the lowdown on each phone plan before choosing one.
pattern: the lowdown on + noun
After the fire drill, Greta wanted the lowdown on why the alarm rang.
Christopher gave the team the lowdown on ticket prices and train times.
Before renting the flat, Paloma asked for the lowdown on hidden fees.
- scoop
often suggests exclusive or newly discovered news, especially in journalism
- inside story
stresses private background details that outsiders do not know
- details
neutral and wider; does not carry the same informal tone
- rundown
often means an organized summary from start to finish, not just the key facts
文法句型
the lowdown on + noun
get the lowdown on + noun
give someone the lowdown on + noun
用法筆記
Usually appears with the article 'the' and often with 'on' before the topic. It is more conversational than neutral words such as 'details' or 'information'.
常見錯誤
lowdown — adjective
- lowdownpositive
- more lowdowncomparative
- most lowdownsuperlative
1. morally cheap and shameful, in a way that makes people lose respect for someone.
morally cheap and shameful, in a way that makes people lose respect for someone.
That was a lowdown trick to play on a child at lunch.
pattern: a lowdown + noun
Lucas called the rumor a lowdown lie meant to hurt Greta.
collocation: lowdown lie
Imran thought it was lowdown to blame the cleaner for his mess.
Hannah said the online seller was lowdown for hiding the broken screen.
文法句型
a lowdown + noun
be lowdown to + verb
be lowdown for + -ing
用法筆記
Often used for behavior, tricks, lies, or people acting in a shameful way. It is a strong, informal judgment, stronger and more personal than simply saying something is unfair.
常見錯誤
2. showing strong feeling in a plain, earthy way, especially in blues or jazz.
showing strong feeling in a plain, earthy way, especially in blues or jazz.
The band played a lowdown blues tune while rain hit the windows.
music use: lowdown + blues tune
Ryo loves singers with a lowdown voice that sounds worn and honest.
collocation: lowdown voice
The film ends with a lowdown piano line under the last scene.
At the club, Adisa danced to a lowdown groove from the old band.
- flat
lacks emotional energy or depth
- emotionless
shows little or no feeling
文法句型
a lowdown + tune
a lowdown + voice
a lowdown + groove
用法筆記
This sense is mostly used when people talk about songs, voices, or musical style. It is uncommon in ordinary descriptions of people or everyday objects.