do a number on someone—(sl.)
1. deceive or treat a person unfairly:
- Caroline doesn’t like him. He really did a number on her at work.
2. speak or write of smb. with disdain; slander a person:
- They did a number on Ridpath. They printed damaging statements.
3. totally defeat a person or team:
- The Irish team are looking to do a number on England in Dublin tomorrow.
make one’s number with someone—(sl.) socialize with a usually superior person (in order to make oneself known, remembered, etc.):
- He was one of the boys on the campaign bus who made his number with would-be presidents.