(figuratively, derogatory) dumbing down, lowering of the standards, reducing to the lowest common denominator, levelling down, race to the bottom, downwards harmonisation

(nautical, archaic) the hurried taking down of hammocks in a ship as preparation for imminent battle; action stations / (figuratively) flurry, uproar, bustle, commotion

upwards

(transitive, figuratively) to drag down

(simile) thoroughly defeated; thoroughly humiliated

footnote

plural of note de bas de page

ups and downs

(idiomatic, colloquial) get lost! (go away)

(simile) like a rash, like a shot