Down to earth
/ˌdaʊn tu ˈɜːrθ/neutral, informalUK · US · AU · IE · CA
What does “Down to earth” mean?
Down to earth means practical, sensible, and friendly, without pretending to be more important than other people.
A down-to-earth person is realistic, honest, and unpretentious. They do not act superior, even if they have a lot of money, power, or success.
This expression is always a positive compliment. It describes someone who is calm, sensible, and treats everyone with equal respect.
When do people say it?
People use this phrase as a compliment for someone who is humble, realistic, and easy to talk to.
“Even after becoming a famous actor, he stayed very down to earth.”
Is it formal or informal?
Register: neutral, informal. It is most at home in both everyday conversation and professional writing. Most common in UK and US and AU and IE and CA.
Where does it come from?
The idiom comes from the image of staying grounded on the Earth rather than having your head in the clouds. It became common in English during the early twentieth century.
Origin confidence: Well documented
How do you say “Down to earth” in other languages?
Last reviewed 2026-09-11