1609. Dekker, Lanthorne and Candle-Light, in wks. (Grosart), III., 272. For the woorst hors-flesh (so it be cheape) does best goe downe with him.
1659. Massinger, City Madam, i., 1. But now I fear it will be spent in poultry; Butcher’s-meat will not go down.
1663. Pepys, Diary, 9 Nov. The present clergy will never heartily go down with the generality of the commons of England.
1742. Fielding, Joseph Andrews, bk. II., ch. xvii. ‘O ho! you are a pretty traveller,’ cries the host, ‘and not know the Levant! … you must not talk of these things with me, you must not tip us the traveller—it won’t go here.’
1748. Smollett, Rod. Random, ch. xxi. He … shook his head, and beginning with his usual exclamation said, ‘That won’t go down with me.’
1885. W. E. Norris, Adrian Vidal, ch. vii. In fashion or out of fashion, they always pay and always go down with the public.
2. (University).—To be under discipline; to be rusticated.
1863. H. Kingsley, Austin Elliot, i., 179. How dare you say ‘deuce’ in my presence? You can go down, my Lord.
3. (common).—To become bankrupt. Also, to go under.
1892. R. L. Stevenson and L. Osbourne, The Wrecker, p. 19. Some one had certainly gone down.