The meaning of "number" in this expression...

[compunk]

In the expression "do a number on someone", what does mean "number" ?

Here is the exemple : They did a number on us when we bought this car.
It's not reliable.

By. Thanks in advance.

[Miss Elaine Eos]

Post by compunk
In the expression "do a number on someone", what does mean "number" ?
Here is the exemple : They did a number on us when we bought this car.
It's not reliable.

<http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=number>

"[...]do a number on Slang
To defeat, abuse, or humiliate in a calculated and thorough way."

It's similar to "they took us to the cleaners" (a variant on "they
cleaned us out"), if you know that one.

[credoquaabsurdum]

Hmm...take a look at this:
http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=do+a+number+on

- do a number on : to defeat or confound thoroughly especially by
indirect or deceptive means




Now this is cool...
OED Online

31. a. U.S. colloq. (orig. in African-American usage). to do a number
(occas. to lay a number): to act with destructive force or impact; to
criticize or humiliate; (hence) to have a strong, usually adverse
effect. Freq. with on.

1967 H. LIT Unbelievable Dict. Hip Words 12 Do a number, to get mad;
make a scene; to tell somebody off; blow your cool. 1972 N.Y. Times
Mag. 24 Sept. 93 There were about four or five cats doing a number on
(beating hell out of) a Puerto Rican. 1974 Maclean's Mag. Nov. 19, I
was on my own among male relatives, male bosses, male lovers who were
all, at one time or another, doing numbers on me. 1982 S. BELLOW Dean's
December iv. 63 They did a number on Ridpath. They printed damaging
statements. 1991 N. BAKER U & I (1992) vii. 119 When Ada finally did
arrive, Updike did such a number on it in his review that he felt
compelled to explain..that he writes faster than he reads. 2002 Star
Tribune (Minneapolis) (Electronic ed.) 6 Dec., Navigating bumpy dirt
tracks and completing hairpin turns often does a number on shocks,
tires, belts and other parts.