bring someone down to earth—
1. cause a pilot to descend:
- If you take your parachute you have a certain return ticket, and one that will bring you safely down to earth.
2. (also: bring someone down) make a person return to reality (face unpleasant truth, etc.):
- So I call for the bill. Which brings us down to earth with an ugly thud.
bring someone to the ground—(also: bring someone down)
1. = bring someone down to earth 1:
- The ejection seat was used three times … it worked as planned and three times it brought the pilot to the ground dead!
2. knock smb. down:
- A crabstick, which was all the weapon he had, brought the fellow to the ground with the first blow.
3. inflict a crushing defeat upon an opponent:
- This nation will not be brought to the ground by enemy action!