Do a number on Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈdu/ /ˈeɪ/, /ə/ /ˈnəmbɝ/ /ˈɑn/, /ˈɔn

DOO-uh NUM-ber-ahn

UK

dʉː/ /æɪ/ /ˈnʌmbə/ /ˈɒn

DOO-uh NUM-buh-on

Definition

To damage, harm, or negatively affect someone or something, often in an obvious or significant way. Used informally.

Usage & Nuances

Highly informal and often used in casual speech. Common collocations: 'do a number on someone’s car', 'do a number on my self-esteem'. Usually implies significant damage or negative impact, including emotional or physical harm. Not used in formal writing.

• Spanish: hacer daño - arruinar
• Portuguese (BR): acabar com - prejudicar - detonar
• Portuguese (PT): acabar com - prejudicar - dar cabo de
• Chinese (Simplified): 狠狠伤害 - 折腾
• Chinese (Traditional): 狠狠傷害 - 折騰
• Hindi: बुरा हाल करना - नुकसान पहुँचाना
• Arabic: أضرَّ بـِ - ألحق الضرر بـِ
• Bengali: ভালোমতন ক্ষতি করা - পাতলা করে ফেলা
• Russian: сильно навредить - испортить
• Japanese: ひどいダメージを与える - めちゃくちゃにする
• Vietnamese: gây tổn hại nghiêm trọng - làm hỏng nặng
• Korean: 심하게 망치다 - 크게 해를 끼치다
• Turkish: fena halde zarar vermek - ciddi şekilde bozmak
• Urdu: برا حال کرنا - بری طرح نقصان پہنچانا
• Indonesian: merusak parah - membuat rusak sekali

Example Sentences

The cat really did a number on the couch.

basic

That flu did a number on me.

basic

The storm did a number on the neighborhood.

basic

She really did a number on my confidence.

natural

Wow, the sun did a number on your skin this weekend!

natural

Those kids really did a number on the living room while you were gone.

natural