expression, godan verb (-ru)
humble someone; take someone down a peg; deflate someone's arrogance
Idiomatic expression meaning to humble or deflate someone's pride, often by outdoing them or pointing out their mistake. Literally 'to break someone's nose'.
彼の自慢話にうんざりして、一言で鼻を折ってやった。
Tired of his boasting, I humbled him with a single remark.
新
He's cheeky for a newcomer, so let's take him down a peg.