Definition

Verb (transitive) 1. To define clearly; to specify precisely; to pin down. To establish or state something in a clear, definite, and unambiguous way. 2. To fasten or secure with a peg or stakes. To attach something firmly to the ground or a surface using a peg, pin, or similar object.

Usage and Examples

• Meaning 1: To define clearly.

  • We need to peg down the exact budget before we can proceed.
  • The contract finally pegged down the responsibilities of each party.
  • It's hard to peg down the source of the problem.

• Meaning 2: To fasten with a peg.

  • They pegged down the corners of the tent to withstand the strong wind.
  • The gardener pegged down the climbing plant to the trellis.
  • Make sure you peg down the tarpaulin securely.

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is often used in business, legal, or planning contexts when referring to finalizing details.
  • The negotiators worked all night to peg down the final terms of the agreement.
• It can imply an effort to restrict or limit something that is vague or changeable.
  • The new policy aims to peg down inflation rates.

Variants and Related Words

• Peg (verb): The base verb, meaning to fix, secure, or identify.
  • Peg the laundry on the line.
  • Economists peg the currency to the dollar.
• Pin down (phrasal verb): A very close synonym, especially for the "define clearly" meaning.
• Nail down (phrasal verb): Another close synonym meaning to define or finalize conclusively.

Synonyms

• For "define clearly": Pin down, nail down, specify, determine, establish, settle.
• For "fasten with a peg": Secure, fasten, anchor, pin, stake.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Peg away (at something): To work hard and persistently at a task.
  • She pegged away at her thesis for months.
• Peg out: 1) To mark boundaries with pegs. 2) (Informal, chiefly British) To collapse from exhaustion.
  • The surveyors pegged out the land.
  • After the marathon, he just pegged out on the sofa.

Related Idioms

• A square peg in a round hole: A person who does not fit into a particular situation or role.
  • As an artist in a corporate office, he felt like a square peg in a round hole.
• To take/bring someone down a peg (or two): To make someone less arrogant; to humble someone.
  • His defeat in the debate really took him down a peg.

Verb

1. define clearly
   • I cannot narrow down the rules for this game
2. fasten or secure with a wooden pin
   • peg a tent