bring down on

To cause someone or something to suffer criticism, punishment, or another bad result.

• His lies brought shame down on his family.
• The decision brought public anger down on the council.
• Why bring more trouble down on yourself?

How to use it: bring something down on someone/something (His comments brought criticism down on the whole team.)

Similar words: bring upon, inflict on

Common phrases: bring criticism down on, bring shame down on

To cause something above someone or something to fall onto them.

• The storm brought a tree down on our car.
• Don’t bring that shelf down on your head.
• The earthquake brought the roof down on the empty room.

How to use it: bring something down on someone/something (The blast brought the ceiling down on the furniture.)

Common phrases: bring something down on, bring down on someone