The expression "to take one down a peg" has a naval origin. It is an allusion to lowering a ship's flag which is regulated by the pegs "to which the line is fastened on deck. The higher a ship's colors are raised in saluting the greater the honor. Hence to take them down a peg is to lower the dignity.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/HNS19150525.2.37.1
Bibliographic details
Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXIX, Issue LXIX, 25 May 1915, Page 5
Word Count
60Page 5 Advertisements Column 1 Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXIX, Issue LXIX, 25 May 1915, Page 5
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